The National Register. — London, England, 1813-05-30 00:00:00

MAY 36. FINE ARTS. SOMERSET-HOUSE EXHIBITION. (Continued from our last.) No. 328. Futychus restored to life by St. Paul, by J. 13. LANZ.— We cannot help reproving some faults in the design of this picture, although we find rtoln enough to be satisfied, if we look merely for a clever distribution of light and shade, and for a pleasing tone of harmony in the colouring. No. 353. Sour Apples. by M. W. SITARP.—There is a great deal of nature. in this perfisrmance ; the classical gawkiness of the griped boy, the solemn pomposity of the doctor, the archness of the sister. who steals from the pocket of the patient the cause of the family distress; every part is touched with intelligence and no small know ledge of the human face. The subject is truly laughable, and, we - ate afraid, pinch too common. in domestic life. No. 293. Mary anointing the feet 4 Jesus, by W. HtLTON.—Thanks be given to the venerable President of the Royal Academy, who, like the prophet who called the fire of heaven upon the altar, has inspired so many of our artists with the love of sacred themes. The eternal Gamily of Piam and Hecuba, the nudities and indecencies of mythological subjects, have yielded their usurped places to the more suitable composition• drawn from the inexhaustible soarce issu ing out and flowin g with perennial clearness, fr om under the mysterious leaves of the sacre d writ; and the events of the world, the most in timately connected with the redemption and salvation of man, have attached to the dignified easel the attention of our best performers in the art of painting. Since the public exhibition of Mr. West's famous picture " Christ healing the sick in the Temple ;" since the private views of the greater performance he is now creating, religi ous subjects have become more numerous, and our walls will soon be decorated with nothing but scripture delineations. As long as taste will go hand-in-band with this new fashion, we cannot but gain and improve by it. Mr. Hilton's genius caught early the sacred flame, and has already successfully animated with it the passive area of the canvass. The performance, under our eyes, has a strong claim to praise, and onglit not to 14 dismissed without solid and impar tial observations. It has been remarked that the figure of Christ has not that effeminacy which has too often detracted from the ma jesty of the son of God in ancient and modern painting: but we cannot help confessing that, here, it wants much of that compound of meekness and benevolence, amiability and forbearance, affability and nobleness, which ougl;t to characterize the divinity enwrapped in the human shape. We must allow that Judas has lost somewhat of that blackguard mien which from Da Vinci to Callot has been constantly stamped upon him ; but we must yield, if not to truth, when unattainable, to prejudices and traditions when consecrated by custom. Who would not laugh to see Peter with a full and fine head of hair, or Paul painted bald and with a grey beard ? Thus the eye would stare at Iscariot with a good countenance. Mary Magdalen is well placed, the whole composition breathes grandeur and majesty, the back ground is noble and coloured with suitable tints, and, for ought we know, classically right ; but the figures are not round, the air does not glide easily between the groups, the drapery ir, nearly without exception, heavy and ctunbersome, and the colouring has the appearance of tapistry. However the severe impartiality of our criticism must stand as an evident proof of the great esteem and glowing hopes of improvement we entertain for the artist, and the uncommon share of merit we allow to his per formance. It was an arduous task, and his attempt at doing justice to it declares a bold and fertile mind. No. 740. Powers, by .Miss CRAIG.—No. 686. Flowers from Na ture, by Miss LEACH.--NO. 636. Flowers, by Miss Sit EFFIELD, H.— No. 692. Flowers from Nature, by Miss LAWRENCE.—No. 718. Flowers from Nature, by Miss Soluxux.-.-No. 729. 'Mpg Iris, by Miss Horwoon, &c. &c. &c.—The Godiloos of the Garden, the beloved of Zephire, Flora is painted by the fanciful hand of mytho= logy as a beautiful young woman, and it is but right that the fairest part of the creation should employ their leizure hours in the delinea tion of the most delicate works of nature. They have, even in this case, a notable advantaoc, for should the freshness and high colour ing of their models unfortunately fade during the performance, their mirror would still supply the deficiency. In all the composi tions above mentioned, we perceive nuich elegance, much taste, ITinch delicacy; but we should advise those who have been blessed with patience and lightness of hand, to leave the dry and hard style of distemper colour, for the free and flowing style of oil•colour painting. Among so many female adepts above named, we feel shy in selecting those who have best succeeded, and leave to the silent judgment of the visitors to decide who is to be gifted with the first swath of praise. 349 No. 577. Portrait of Mrs. Hope, in enamel Off G. Dewy, A. by H. BONE, B. A.--We recollect with pleasure the portrait of this amiable lady in last ye ir's Exhibition, and we .are happy to find that the enamel painter has translated ail the beauties of the original, and the careful and high finishing of every part, a peculiarity be longing to the faire of Mr. Dawe's performances. To be continued.) DRAItIA,TIC REGISTER. COVENT GARDEN. A new Melo-Drama was last night produced at this Theatre, en titled, " [he Brazen Bust." The plot of this Piece turns on the difficulties, danzers, and hair-breadth escapes of two lovers; one of whom (Frederick) de serfs from the service of the Prince Palatine, to rescue his wi:e ( Floreska) from the Prince. Frederick reaches the palace, and is concealed by Herman in a room beneath a Brazen Bust, which con tains the key-hole by means of which the secret apartment is opened. Discovered, he flies the palace, and is joined byllerman and Fiorill:. They are overtaken, and the two latter are made prisoners. Fre derick escapes by a boat, but is afterwards thrown on the shore by a storm, and brought back to the Prince. A Court Martial is called, he is doomed to death, and the Prince orders the immediate execu tion of the sentence. While these events are passing, the Prince recognises on a table in a cottage sonic words which he had formerly carved on it, vow ing unalterable attachment to Louisa, a lady whom he afterwards abandoned, on being elevated to his present rank. He is struck with remorse at hearing of her death, and with amazement at learning that belote she breathed her last, she gave life to a son. This son is proved to be Frederick, who at the moment of the dis covery was about to suffer as a deserter, by his command. The sentence is instantly revoked, Frederick and Floreska are restored to each other, and the Prince who is now all contrition, resolves es that spot to raise a monument to the memory of the injnr:ll Louisa. From the resemblance which this drama bears in its plot to " The Point of Honour," it may at first sight be stipposed to have beets unfairly borrowed front that Piece. This suspicion must vanish when it is known that it is from the pen of Mr. C. KEMBLE, who gave "The Point of Honour" 'to the Stage. After this it must be concludod, that from that Play not appearing often en the Stock List, Mr. K. was desirous of presenting the Public with a minia ture, that it may not be forgotten altogether. e " Brazen Bust" furnishes several good situations, and knot destitnte of interest. It has no very :;trong claims on nubile ap probation ; but, as a pleasing trifle, it will run the usual number of nights without opposition. It was well received. We have no room for further remarks. THE NATIONAL REGISTER. FOOT RACE. A foot race for 400 gnineas, between Cross, Captain Barclay's groom, and Rainer, the Kentish butcher (which of them should first perform 100 miles, the latter giving Cross an hone of starting), took place yesterday selmight on Sunbury Common. Cross started at 11 o'clock, and Rainer at one. Cross did twenty miles in two hours and 57 minutes, and halted a few minutes for refreshment; and Rainer did the same in two hours and a half, and halted to change his shoes. Rainer Ivas within three milesot his adversary at '2B miles Running, when he breakfisted, during which time Cross headed him considerably. Rainer ran in the Sell . mile muck weakened, and he was confined to his marquee by a sort of sickness some minutes, when betting became in favour of Cross, who was going on well. Rainnr was six miles behind, when he recoverel, and Cross skewed symptoms of w'eakne,s, having gone 49 miles in five hours and 40 minutes; he continued tutt:l be fell down in going the 46th mile, but he recovered a little, got to tit:' marquee, and after having been rubbed he went another tonr miles, when he broke down ;. the tendons below the calf of his legs having been injured. Clotain Barclay accompanied his man the greater part ct the journey. Rainer's next objet t was to perform the distance in 101:ours, to do which he. had something more than five mites an hour to uertortn. He was often distressed, but recovered, and in doing the 9 tst mi!e in 17 hours, he fell exhausted, and was carried to Hampton. 13 , 7 th remained in bed at Hampton on Saturday. Rainer, on Sunday morning, did the remainder of his ground in little more eon two hours. Cross remains verb lame.