The Express.
London, England, 1855-06-18 00:00:00

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MIL MONTPS LECI URES ON ANCIENT AND
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MODERN SCULPTURE.
Mr. Monti delivered his third lectern on Wednes-
day last. He observed that the styles discussed in the two
former lectures were essentially symbolic, expressive of eye-
toms of religion, morality, or politics. In them free thought
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character of Indian, Egyptian, and Persian art. Greek
ac!, on the contrary, was of a highly intellectual character,
and unfettered by conventionalism.This,which may be termed
the intelligent, and cionaequeutly intelligible style, partakes
of two distinct characters—the one Dorian, the other
I lonian ; the former being simple and severe, the latter more
luxuriant, animated, and imaginative. Between these two
characters a great affinity existed, and through their muteal
co-operation a style of art resulted so c:implete as to leave
I nothing to be desired. The climate and scenery of Greece
were intelligently shown to be most favourable to the birth
land ezpansiou of high art. The lecturer also alluded to the
influence which the institutions of the Greeks exerted in
developing artistie feeling. The games at Olympia which
became so popular amongst the intlgin sties Greeks were
cited as being amosgst the foremost of these favour-
I able influencer. This was about 500 B C., when Indian and
Egyptian art had ceased to 8 mists. Greek art now broke
forth in all its beauty, the unfettered impersonation of unfet-
tered ideas, truly powerful end effective, because essentially
stational in its nature. Portraiture at this period par-
took of an intellectual and elevated character, and re-
vealed not so much the physical features as the
Electra characteristics of the individual poortrayed.
Polycletee and Phidias carried this high style of art to per-
fection. As a proof of the philosophic view taken of the
subject of beauty by the artists of Greece in forming the
been ideal, Mr. Monti cited the reply made by the sculp-
tor, who, on being asked what style of beauty he studied,
said, looking at a large concourse of people, " Not one, but
all these." The changes and vicissitudes which the art
underwent immediately after the above•xcentioned period
were clearly pointed out. The deterioration of art in cor-
rupt ages, a-d the injury inflicted upon it when made the
slave of individual power and ostentation, instead of the ex-
ponent of a nation's freedom and glory, were forcibly dwelt
upon by Mr. Monti, who closedfiis remarks by commenting
in a perspicuous manner upon a variety of outline represen-
tations of Greek statues, which served as excellent Wastes-
Eons to the lecture. Mr. Monti will deliver his fourth lec-
ture on Wednesday next.

OXFORD COMMEMORATION.
OIFORD, Jolts 16.
The commemoration, which is to be celebrated
during the ensuing week, although not a "grand,"
will be of a more attractive character than usual, end
visitors are flocking in rapidly; the demand for lodgings
and hotel accommodation has consequently greatly in-
creased, while from the same cause our streets have as-
sensed quite a cis toged aspect.
On Monday morning an ezercise for the el, gees of
Bachelor of Music will be performed in the Music School,
at 12 o'clock, composed by Mr. Richard Hacking, jun., of
Wagoner College. Some new chorales will be introduced.
• bazaar will be held on Monday and Tuesday, at the Star
Assembly Room, in aid of the restoration of Duch:a:ter
Abbey Church, at it o'clock, under the patronage of the
Marchioness of Blandford, the Countess of Derby, the
Iceentess of Jersey, the Countess of Abiogdon, the Countess
of Meeelesfirld, the Lady Georgina Bettie, the Baroness
Weave, Lady Dashwnod, Lady Lambert, Lady Washed,
Mrs. Sargent, hire. Clerk., and Mrs. Ashurst. There will
be an open and free meeting of the society for the study
sad practice of plain song of the church at the Architectural
Room, Holywell, at 2 o'clock on Mon.ley, end in the even-
ing (weather permitting) there will be a grand procession of
the University racing boats, with their 1 crews, on
the Isis. The boats will start from Utley at 7 o'clock, by
the usual simnel guns, row up and salute the bead boat
(which will station itself at the Us • ity barge), by toss-
ing their oars, pass wider the left hand arch of Folly-
bridge, and out again under the centre arch -
they will then proceed down the river, tutu round
a pont moored off the long bridges, end return up.
The University Amateur Musical Sniety will give a grand
concert in the Town-hall, commencing at half-past 8 o'clock,
and a grand ball will be given by the under graduates of
Corpus Chnsti College, when the building known as the
Commoners' Staircase, with its spacious rooms, will be de-
voted to dancing and refreshments. Weippert's band is
engaged, and will be placed nn the one pair of stairs land-
ing, which will enable the visitors to dance in any of the
rooms on the staircase.
Oa Tuesday the Chancellor and the Countess of Derby
will arrive in Oxford, and dine with the Vice. Chancellor at
Worcester Cullexe. Divine service at the University Church
(St. Mary the Virgin), at 11 a.m., when a sermon will be
preached by the Lord Bishop of Lincoln, in aid of the funds
of the Radcliffe Infirmary. There will be a full cathedral
service. At 1 o'clock the third show of the semen of the
Royal Oxfordshire Horticultural Society wiil be held in the
gardens of Trinity College. At 8 o'clock there will be a
conversations, in the Radcliffe Library, at which the Earl of
Derby is expected to be present. Invitations to every large
number have been issued by Dr. Aolsnd to the resident
members of the university and visitors. About 11 o'clock
p.m. the electric light will be exhibited on that side of the
dome looking towards St. Mary's. At 9 o'clock there will
be a grand display of fireworks near Worcester College. On
this evening the grand Masonic ball will take place at the
Town-ball. It is stated that the Earl sod Countess of
Derby will be present. The arrangements of the supper-
roam far exceeed anything before known in Oxford, and
there will be room for nearly 300 at the tsbles. Altogether
we believe the Masonic ball will sustain the reputation the
Mason' sold far liberality and elegance.
On Wednesday there will be a sermon at St. Mary's
Church, being the anniversary of her Majesty's accession.
The noblemen, heeds of houses, doctors, and the senior and
junior proctors, will meet the Vice-Chancellor in the Hall
of Worcester College, from thence they will proceed in full
peoessidon to the Sbeldonian Theatre, where the " Eneatoia"
or Commemoration of Founders will he held ; and the fol-
lowing distinguished individuals will have the honorary
degree of D.C.L. conferred on them, viz.:—General Sir De
Lacy Evans, K.C.B. ; General Sir John Fox Burgnene,
K C.B ; Mr. Buchanan ; Richard hlanckton Manes, Esq.,
• P.ditefreet ; Professor Stokes, M.A., Cambridge;
Colonel Sabine, Secretary of the British Associating ; P. B.
Duncan, Esq , New College ; Sir John Bentley Robinson,
Ban., Chancellor of the College of Toronto ; J. C. Adams,
Seq., St. John's College, Cambridge; Professor Lloyd,
D.D , Dublin ; Sir Charles Lyell ; Alfred Ti neyson, Etch
Poet Laureate; John Muir, Esq.,
they em
Samsun
Scholar; Prof Graham, Master of the Mint;
Count De Idontalembert ; Rev. W. Hope, donor
of the gnat Entomological Collection and Library.
After which the Professor of Poetry will deliver the
Creweian oration, end the succersful competitors for the
Chancellor's sod Sir it per Newdegate's prix.s, will recite
their compositions. After the commemoration, the Chen-
alter will return to Worcester College, and at half-past 2
proceed to the Divinity-school, when • procession will be
formed to the park consisticg of the Chancellor, Vice-
Chancellor, and Heads of Houses in their dross robes, the
Hebdomadal Council, the Museum Delegate', lie., for the
purpose of laying the foundation stone of the new museum,
which will take place at 3 p.m.
It is expected that immediately after laying the founda-
tion atone Lord Derby will hold a levee in the Taylor
Building, and will subsequently meet a distinguished party
to dinner at the Vice-Chancellor's house.

To-morrow evening Lord John Russell will preside
at the mai eeee ary of the Jews' Free School, SpitalSelds.
The President of the Institution is Sir Anthony de Barthe-
-1 ehild, Bait.
In the case of the failure of Strahan, Paul, and
Co., it is now actwilly reported (says the Times) that cer-
tain securities be:matting to customers and deposited under
lock and key have to be accounted for, and that the mem-
bers of the firm admit their inability to produce them.
The Right Hon. Sidney Herbert has been advised
by his medical attendant to abstain from all public business
for a time in order to recruit his health, for which purpese
he is now on a tour in Sootier d.
The Germanic Diet has rejected the proposal from
Prussia for the suppression of gaming, carried on in snott of
the German watering places.
After the 30th, newspapers and publications
intended to be posted must be " folded in such manner that
the whole of the stamp denoting the said duty shall he
saposed to view and be distinctly visible on the outside
/ thereof." Periodical publications are to be posted within
15 days after being published. Newspapers may be regia.
I/ tend at the General Peet•effice to entitle the same to the
privilege of transmission shirred, under treaty with foreign

• •

powers.
Within the last few days an artificial aviary has
been uncovered in the Paris Pallas de l'lndtstrie. Under
an immense glass globe is a tree whose branches us covered
with staffed birds of brilliant Owner. On turning a keys
rahe
spriag at the foot of the tree begins to run, the biVisp,
' from breach to branch, and chirp and slag in e 1
agreeable manner. Their little beaks and 'ate #"? jr,,
content agitation. as in life, and not a *he brow . `:. •C,"..9
heard Owes dealers that the notes are pride *MIle
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the living birds at the Amy of Tatum, witalas
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