The Press.
London, England, 1853-07-02 00:00:00

THE PRESS.

JULY 2, 1853.

FINE ARTS.

SPECIMENS OF CABINET-WORK NOT SENT BY Him MAJESTY TO THE EXHIBITION
AT GORE HOUSE, KENSINGTON, IN CONSEQUENCE OF THEIR BEING IN
PRESENT USE.

Tuts collection is very cu►ious, and possesses some of the most in-
genious specimens of ancient and mode►►► joine►y with which we have
for a long time met.

No. lis a Cabinet of ebony, and of great antiquity. It wears ex-
tremely well, the material being very hard ; though its cal►ucity is
limited. These pieces of furniture are often found in old Scotch cha-
teaux. Their style is still' and contntetAA ; though they sometimes
bold more than would seem at the first glance, from the secret drawers
and places of reserve in which they abound. This piece of furniture
was sold to the late King of the FRENen. in the year 1843, and depo-
sited in the Château d'En ; but, after his Majesty's fall, was repur-
chased by Monseigneur the Due de NEmoras, by whom it was pre-
sented to her MAJESTY.

No. 2 is a very fine Seeretaire of Marqueterie ; the favourite manu-
facture of the eighteenth century. This specimen has been richly
restored, but in somewhat too showy a taste : gilt metal ornaments
are not in keeping will► this style. The present specimen
is decorated
with a large Cupid, dressed as a Militia-man, and holding a pen in-
stead of a musket, while his knapsack is an inkstand.
No. 3 is a Foreign Neeretoire, in the Romeo style.

There is also a modern Seerehrire which should be notieed. It is
made of Colonial wood, and was presented to her MAJESTY by the late
Sir ROBERT PEEL, who was in the habit of using it. Its materials,
however, seem ill seasoned, and appear to have already split and given
way in several parts.

No. Bis a Pembroke table of malachite. Though the materials are
Russian, the maker, we understand, was one of our own countrymen.

Nos. 0 and 11. A large and smaller Chance/Her; so (dled after the.
ChanceHier d'Aguesseau, who used them in Court, where he suffered
much from cold feet. Both of these specimens are richly carved and
decorated, but the snudler one is more highly finished, and imbibes
and retains heat with much greater quickness than is usual.

No. 12 is an Indian Cabinet, and of very complicated contrivance.
It is furnished throughout with double locks and springs, but dues not
work very satisfactorily.

No. 13. A case for the QUEEN'S PHI; Seal. Too small ; but the in-
terior richly lined.

No. 14. A grotesque figure of DIANA bounding through the Woods
and Forests, with a bow and quiver, and a glass in her eye. This
figure opens, and is, in fact, a bookcase, made fan• King CHARLES 11., to
hold his copy of the works of the famous Mr. Helms.

There are several clocks, inkstands, bureaux, and tables, in the
method of veneering brass and other metals on tortoiseshell, which
was invented by ANDRE Bun►.. Among these very choice specimens
is what, from the subject of its inlay, is commonly called the staff of
the HIGH ADM►RA►., being covered with ships and matters pertaining
to the. Arsenal; but it is, in fact, an Ell-measure belonging to the
Royal wardrobe, and its proper title is " A large measure ;" it is, how-
ever very deceptive, and cannot be t►usted,

In the ?WM room is L pair Of artn-chairs fruit► Windsor Castle (No.
4r,), with gilt frames, attributed to the eighteenth century, and Venetian
manufacture. Neither of these chairs, however, has any scat.

A NEW IRISH MELODY.

The BRIGADIER to the Whigpt hie: one,
In the " great Concrete" you'll tin►l him
lie has taken his billet from " Mummery " JouN,

And his pledges Hung behind hint.
" The Income-tux. and the Tenant Right,
It's vain," says he, " to remember;
And unwelcome. in these days of June.
To meal ' the nights of November.' "

If you limey, PAT, you've a chance of a place.
As I dreamt myself. when in liquor.
The fashion is not to be true to pair race ;
There's a better way, and a quicker:—
Regard the Aet which your QuKEN has signed.
Lest a foreign priest surprise her
You must tnunple that Act with Her 11818 e in the dirt,
To become her LEON. ADVIBKR