The Express.
London, England, 1855-04-30 00:00:00

kitPIiESC MONbAY EViiitTlNCi. APRIL 30, 1855.

FINE ARTS.

HOCKING TRAGEDY AT WHEELOCK, IN
CHRSHIRE.

EXHIBITION OF THB SOCIETY OF PAINTERS
IN WATER COLOURS.
The private view of the paintings in this exhibition
was opened on Saturday. There were three hundred
and twenty-two pictures exposed to sight, the majo-
rby of which were of more than average merit. In
fact, the Water Colour Exhibition maintains its old
reputation. After all, there is more life in the Water
Colour Society than in any other school of art. We
get effects by water colours that are producible by
no other means. We approximate by this method of
painting to the old fresco. The depth and purity of
the colouring is far superior to anything that can be
attained by oils.
This may appear exaggerated ; but few persons can
look at "A Pool of the Conway," No. 26, by C. Bran-
white; or "The Church of Bt. Pierre, CAen," No.
38, by W. Callowt or "The Dom Eiroie at Ware-
bore No. 44, by the same artist ; or at numbers of
pictures by Gilbert, the two Fripps, Riviere, Nash,
Frederick Taylor, Gastineau, and others, without
recognising the truth of what we say. Water-
colour painting is, in short, one of the great discove-
ries of the age, and Girtio, Sandby, and Turner, may
add to their other honour that of having originated

The Tillage of Wheelock, near Seedbed], is
Cheshire, wee, on Friday morning, the scene of as awful
teagedy. Mr. Jame. Sprostoo, joiner and builder, and his
wife, resided at • large deteshed house a little to the s iuth.
east of the village. They were people in easy eircurattancee,
of pod families, haying been married some 16 or 17 pars,
and lived together daring that time in apparent happiest..
Both of them were strict methodists, and the leading people
of that religiose meet in the neighbourhood. It may be
judged, thee, with what consternation the Intelligence burst
apes the village, on Friday moraing,that Mr. Sproston bad
murdered his wife and afterwards destroyed himself.
Having no family Mr. Sproston bad recently prevailed upon
his sister, Mrs. Gill, a widow, at Seedbach, and her son, to
gems and reside at his house, es a companion for his wife.
They kept no female
pens, pm* is the timber-yard was employed roes ionally
le Milli at NM of the heavier household duties. On Friday
unralog they hadvisen, as usual, at an early hour, end the
nephew had gone to batistes for the day at a little before
six o'clock in the moraine. Mrs. Gill, after breakfast, had
gone to take a can of berm to Sandbach, to be sold there,
and the apprentice, after witting ber to carry the can half
way and dome; some errands for his master,
had pee to the
timber yard. Mr. and Mrs. Sproston were thus left alone.
On the estate of Mrs. Gill from Sendbaeb, between nine
and ten o'clock in the morning, she found the back yard
door fast inside, and had to climb over the garden fence to
get admission into the holm. The ground floor of the
house consists of two front parlours, one on each side the
door and entrance hall, with kitchen, *Gallery, and other
aloes behind. Mrs. Gill entered the house by the kitchen
door, and then discovered the horrible tragedy which had
taken plea during her &biome. Mrs. Sproeton was on her
knees before the kitchen fire, with her arms we the floor
and her head resting on her hands. She was
lying is • pool of blood, portions of the scalp and skull
having been apparently backed off, in addition to many
other wounds, having been inflicted with a large cavalry
sword that was lying on the kitchen-table by her side. The
unfortunate woman was notyet dead, and Mrs. Gill hearing
her inquire after " Jsmes,', her husband, left her for an
instant to seek him. Mr. Sproston was seated in his arm-
chair is one of the front parlours before the tire, quite dead,
and amen horrible spectacle to look upon than his mangled
wife. A large cavalry pistol lay between his feet on the
floor, and this, loaded with a ban and eight or ten slop, he
had evidently discharged with the muzzle in his mouth, so
that the lower and upper jaws had bun curled away, and
the hoe was ripped open up to the forehead. The pistol
ball had perforated the brain and crown of the head, and
wee found lodged in the ceiling of the room. A number
of slugs were also lcdged in varioas parts of the
coiling. Mrs. Gill immediately called in the assist-
ance of the nearest neighbours and friends, and messengers
were posted off to Sandbach for surgical Md. In little more
than twenty minutes, two surgeons were in attendance;
but the earliest of them, Mr. Latham, did not arrive until
a few momenta after Mrs. Sproston had breathed her last.
It is said that she was audibly praying when some of the
neighbours entered, but Mrs. Gill, her sister-in-law, only
recollects the words, uttered in a low, faint voice, " Oh,
James, don't," and then the inquiry, " Where is he?—
where is he ?"
The following statement. have been elicited from those
who are in a position to give the most reliable evidence re-
specting this shocking tragedy :
Mrs. Mary Gill says—The deceased were my brother and
sister-in-law—James and Anil Sproetyn ; and the former was
46 and the latter 40 years of age. Myself and son went to
reside with them about three weeks ago, and bad one of the
parlous. They went to bed about alas o'clock on Thursday
eight, and Mrs. Sproston on comlag downatain en
k'riday morning, about seven o'clock, and seeing the
huskiest things oa the table, said to my brother,
who was then is the kitchen, in a kiadly manner, "What,
yea have set the tea-tillage ?" He replied, in a similar
manner—" Yes, I want my breakfast." I breakfasted in
the same room with them. We had been recently brewing
ale, and on the previous night Mrs. Bruceton had said to
me, if I would take the bans to Seadbach she would clean
oat my room for me, and this was agreed upon. My bre-
[ thee asked me how many quarts of berm I had, and my
sister-in.law asked me to purchase her • quarter of a pound
ef tea whilst at Sandbag!). Whilst this conversation took
=John Dimon, the apprentice, was present, and my
er told him to go with me, and carry my can of berm
ea far as the HoUystyle wbicb is half-way to Send-
Inch. Toe distance to Sandbach is about a chile and a half
Oa Friday morning, after breakfast, I accordingly went to
leadbach, the apprentice doing as be was told. I lett my
brother with his wife, and they were the only persons left
is the house. Ile was 'reeking his pipe, and she was wash
sag up the breakfast things and some glasses. I returned
from Sandbach • little alter nine o'clock. I found tke
back-yard door fastened inside; but as it was a drop-latch,
end might have slipped, this excited no surprise. 1 went
round to the further side of the house, and gut over the fence
Weals garden. The kitchen door was closed, but not fastened ,
and I let myself in. On entering the kitchen I saw my
sister on the floor, on her knees, with her face thrown for-
ward upon her hands, which were resting on the fl SOT. She
was praying and calling upon the Lord to take her. She
said " Oh, Janus, don't, ' es I approached her, and atter-
wards, when I had raised her head and arms, she said in a
low voice, " Where is he ?" She was in • great pool of
blood, and was still bleeding. A sword was on the table
by her side. I went to search for my brother, and found
him in my parlour. He was quite dead, with a pistol lying
between his feet, which I picked up and laid on the table.
The sword and pistol belonged to my brother, and he bus
bad them a long time. The only cause I can assign for tee
warder te, that my brother had for some weeks been jealous
of his wife ; jealousy which had amounted to monoresuie,
and welch I bad told him was quite unfounded.
John Dimon, the apprentice, says—l am about 17 years
old. Yesterday morning (Friday) I come to my master's
huge about six o'clock, and fused him up and dressed. He
told me he wanted a window roller for the blind put up in
is. of the window, and he took me up at ire to show me
Ma tort of brackets as wanted fremthe smithy. I went for
the brackets, and took them to him. Mr. and Mrs. Spreetoe
and Mrs. Gill were then in the kitchen, and my mistress said
I must go with Mrs. Gill to carry some berm for her through
the toll bar. Weep I had done this I returned, and met my
master at the house door, when he gave me a jug of berm w
take to Mr. Whittaker's farm, about 100 yards off. When
I returned from Mr. Whittaker's, he told me to go dowa to
tag shop, and be would perhaps come after me, and I must get
some glue warmed. This was the last time I saw him. He
bad a short time ago pointed out to me some boards ic the
shop, saying, " Times boards 'nest be used to make my
whine with. '
Mr Gill, deceased's nephew, says be left the house • little
before 6 o'clock, after toiling himself a cup of coffee, and his
Pale partook of a cop of coffee with him. His uncle bad
often spoken to him in a low and desponding way of his
fmily, quoting the words of the 69th Psalm, to the effect
I teat be had " become • stranger to his brethren and an alien
to bis mother's children."
Mr. Chas. Latham, of Saodbacb, surgeon, says—l saw the
deceased very shortly after they were found, bat they were
then both dead. James Sproston was sitting in • chair,
[with his head completely blown to pieces. The injuries had
evidently been done with a pistol, which appears to bays
been discharged into his mouth. With regard to ADD
Sproston, 1 found • wound eight or nine inches long on the
left fore arm, which had completely cut through the measles
and bone. There were two other cute on the 4441411 421,
4or 6 inches long, penetrating through the muscles red
ligaments. There was another wound on the upper part of
the right arm, 7 or 8 inches long, cutting through the
muscles and bone. The skull on the left temple bad been
cut through, and the brain was left exposed. But the main
injury is a cut at the back of the neck, going completely
through the muscles, ligaments, and spinal marrow. This,
mast injury has been the immediate cause of death, and all
the imams are each as would have been inflicted by a,
sword wielded with great violence.
George Walker, a constable in the Cheshire constabulary,
was called in soon after the murder, sad took possession of
the sword and pistol. He says the sword was dyed with
blood, and theme were some portions of hair mingled with
the blood. The kitchen presented an appearance after the
- butcher', '

a school of art.
Amongst the artists who have most distinguished
themselves in the present exhibition we may name
Carl Haag. His "Rains of Salons," No. 66, is a
marvellous specimen of colouring. It is very effective
in the grouping also, although scarcely distinct enough.
There is a want of unity, and yet the separate figures
are almost faultless. As a specimen of mere drawing
and colour, it is not surpassed by anything in the
exhibition. "A Venetian Lady," No. 76, by the
same artist, is remarkable for its expression and
purity of tone. "Ruins of the Palace of Diocletian,"
No. 160, also by Haag, is well worth attentive con-
sideration by young artists. Gilbert has a remark-
able scene from Shakspeare. It represents Jessica
and Shylock at the moment when the latter is en-
trusting his keys to his daughter, previous to his
departure. The subdued expression on Jessica's face
is a marvel of artistic skill. "The Alchymist," No.
64, although clever in point of drawing, is deficient
in colour, and is wanting. in that poetic feel-
ing which is so noticeable in most of the works
of this artist. The cleverest work that he has
exhibited is "The Letter-writer—Constantinople "

(No. 136). Margaret Gillies has three pictures that
are wonders for genuine expression of feeling.
" Looking back at the old Home (N 0.46) is
i aposes
is colour. It is not exceeded by any picture n the
exhibition. "The Past and Future (No. 193) re.
preseuts two types of grief and hope, in the persona of
two females. The faces are admirably characteristic ;
the figures are, perhaps, wanting in grace. " Waiting
he News" (No. 322) is admirable for correctness of
drawing and richness of colour.
Alfred Fripp has some pictures in his beet
"Peasants of Olevano returning from labour " (No.
166) is remarkable for its admirable grouping.
There is a female fan in the picture which is a
gem of delicacy. It is moaroelyt perhaps, in
keeping with the subject of the painttog, but every
objection fades before its exceeding beauty. "The
lest Days of Harvest" (No. 120), • scene from the
Roman Campagna, by the same artist, is glowing
with life and colour. F. W. Barton has two pictures
of Franconian peasantry of great merit. No. 181
represents a collection of pilgrims in the Cathedral of
Bamberg; No. 239 is a group of the same peasantry
waiting for confession. The great charm of thus
two pictures consists in the vividness with which the
nationality is expressed in the features of the pea-
santry. Two of the most characteristic pictures in
the exhibition are by J. W. Lewis. The first is enti-
tled " The Well in the Desert, Egypt" (N 0.13.5); the
other," The Greeting in the Desert " (No. 160). They
are both instinct with the feeling of Oriental life.
The hot sands are steaming under the influence of
the eastern sun, and the camels and their drivers are
sinking under the effects of the heat. The East was
never better depicted than in Mr. Lewis's pictures.
Mr. Gastineau has scarcely. fulfilled the hopes that
were entertained of him in the present exhibition.
Nevertheless, there is great merit in the view " Near
Preston, Lancashire" (No. 131), and " Dove Dale,
Derbyshire " (No. 164). The " View near Msgadeno,
Lego Maggiore " (No. 200) is a favourable specimen
of this artist's manner; there is great breadth,
and purity of colour in this composition. No. 111,1
" Corner of the Fishermen's Island, Lego Maggi.
ore," by George Flipp, is an exquisite piece of Italian
scenery. Stepbanoff has an admirable specimen in
the etyle for which he is celebrated. His "Vizier
Saouy purchasing the fair Persian" is very character-
istic. In drawing, it cannot be excelled ; but there is
a haziuese about the colouring which throws an air of
indistinctness over the composition. One of the most
meritorious landscapes in the exhibition is " The
Golden Horn, Constantinople, from the Cemetery of
Pere" (No. 190), by W. C. Smith. It is marvellously
elaborate, and is pronounced to be a correct represen-
tation of the locality. "The Devil's Bridge, St.
Godard' (No. 28), by the same artist, is bold and
vigorous, and full of animation. Richter has
• life.l.ke scene from "As you like it.
It represents the Fool and Audrey, where the
former is addressing the latter in the words, " Well,l
Audrey, am I the man yet ?" Goodall has not beenl
as industrious asusual, but the careful elaboration of
"The Milking Shed " (No. 314), makes up in quality
what we miss in quantity. " The Old Willow" (No.
301), by the same artist, is a curious specimen of how
much can be done with an unpromising stihjec', if the
artist is a master of his craft. Frederick Tayler heel
a splendid sketch, entitled " Marauding Troopers*
(No. 29). Like all the works of this artist, it is full
of life and vigour.
Among the other pictures that are worthy of notice
are (No. 6), "On the Grande Canal," by Callow ;
(No. 21), "Sandy-lane, Red-hill, Surrey," by C.
IDavidson ; "The Coming Gale" (No. 106), by D.
pox ; and " Flowers" (No. 191), an exquisite com-
position, by V. Bartholomew.
The exhibition is superior to most that have pre-
eeded it, and the spectators expressed their admira-
tion in terms of the greatest enthusiasm.

EIRIBTTION or PAINTINGS IN WATER COLOURS,
DT HERR WEB/am—This gentleman has collected
a number of his works, which he bad disposed of to
his patrons, and exhibits them at 49, Pall-mall.
Among the proprietors of the pictures are, the
Queen, Lord Ellesmere, Sir Francis Scott, Lord
Breckley, and W. Leaf, Esq. The paintings are dis-
tinguished for perfection of drawing and brilliancy
of colour in a degree which we have never seen
excelled. They are worthy of the most attentive
study by the amateur and the artist. We have scarcely
ever seen Views in Venice egrialliog those
by. Herr Werner. Hs seems to have at-
tained the utmost perfection of which the
art is capable. Among a large number of works
of the highest artistic merit we would particularly
direct attention to "The Palazzo Mooeaigo," " The
Canal of Canareggio," "The Bridge of Sighs," and
" The Interior of St. Mark." Two allegorical pic-
tures representing. Riches and Poverty are remarkable
for purity and finish, and the distincrness with which
the idea is worked out. No admirer of water-oolour
painting ought to miss the opportunity of visiting
this admirable collection.

ART CONTRIBUTIONS IN AID OF TEE " PATRIOTIC
POND," BUZLIIIGTON-DOUID, PICCADILLY. We have
much pleasure in stating that the committee of this wale- I
don have obtained the use of four ample rooms on the
" pieta nobils " of Burlington-house, for the furtherance of
their benevolent and truly patriotic work. The inhibition
and isle of works of art hitherto *maimed at the Gallery
is Pall-mall will be inaugurated in the above mentioned
Ins mansion oa Thursday nut, the 3rd of May. Burling-
ton-house, with its modest, graceful palatial front and stately
columnar whir—hitherto so jealously concealed from the
lays of " the vulgar "—is one of the noblest edifices which
London boasts of. The attractive Maoism, therefore, of
architecture is added to the charm of pictorial art, in aid of
a eases which of itself appeals with irresislible force to the
hearts of Baglishmen. We may safely proga Waft that
the labours of this SSlOSistioo, which have hitherto been
fruitful, even wises congaed within a comparatively
11 awls* sphere of Wien, will be productive of very great
'remelts when exercised in a wide arena sad on ea ezteasive
'scale, as will now be the we.
•

The exhibition of French paintings, which we are
sunned will be re* is vessia, netwithstansieg the large
leoutribation Irma Wendt MOM W tbs forthcoming Pans
Ezbibitios, wlll era en tits fib of Key seat, at the Gal-
lery, 121, rell-as&