The Express.
London, England, 1851-05-03 00:00:00

FINE ARTS.

EXHILITION OF THE ROYAL ACADEMY.
I (lane Nome.)
Following close on the heels of tins Great
Industrial Exhibition, the Royal Academy yesterday
opened to private view its eighty-third annual
exhibition.
With the exception of W. M. Turner, who may
well plead his well-won laurels in extenuation of his
absence, all hare more or less furnished their quota
to the present exhibition, which is one unquestion-
ably destined in every way to support the credit of
i the British school. The most striking features seem
to consist not so much in the partial prominence
I of individual merits, as iu the high standatu or general
i excellence. Works of an amlntious nature and large
proportions are, therefore, in a decided minority ; but
m the mingled historical and genre pictures we have
attained a perfection and maturity unknown to our
continental neighbours, who will be equally struck
by the elevation to which art can be brought
without the adventitious aid either of religious
sentimentalism or heathen mythology. Another
feature which cannot fail to strike our foreign visitors
less agreeably, is the strange infatuation with which
prominent positions are assigned to uninteresting
individuals, and that in despite of the discouraging
influence and example set by the most illustrious
personage of the realm, who again this year is un-
represented. In her stead is offered to the gaze of
her loving and faithful lieges the striking and amnia-
takeable likeness of Lord Brougham, who occupies
the place of honour. It was, however, really too
hard to make him less handsome than he is; and
while willingly bearing witness to the solid and
honest painting of Mr. l'ickersgill, it cannot be said
that he has in any way flattered his illustrious sitter.
In this, the principal or cast room, are placed con-
spicuously opposite to one another the large and
striking canvases of Maclise and Stanfield, the
sombre colouring of the one being strikingly con-
trasted with the singularly brilliant key of the other.
Mr. .Maelise, in choosing Mr his subject " Caxton's
Printing Office in the Almonry, at Weatininater"
(67). seems to have hit tm an unusually felicitous sub-
ject for the etkrtual development of his pe-
culiar excellencies. Never, Since the days of
the Van Eyck", has minute elaboration of detail
been earned to such exquisite finish. Vet remarka-
ble and closely rendered as are the details of the
wondrous printing mess, whether we look at its
wooden frame, at the engraved wooden blocks,
the images, or the type for the letter-press of the
first edition of the (Mow at elle.se, they do not over-
power the other and main features of the composi-
sition. The central group is filled up by the figures
of Edward IV. and his queen, to whom Caxton is
offering a proof sheet ; the wondering fama of the
royal progeny, and the groups of printer.' artfully
Isaaneed on troth sides; are grouped In Mr. Maclises
habitual masterly manner.
Mr. Stanfield's " Battle of Rovereflo" in 1796
(196) is one of those richly varied, but almost fabu-
lous combinations of picturesque objects. As a deli-
neator of tie luxuriant vegetation and plessant
architectural features which cluster round the base of
rugged and snowahad Alps. uu one can sales Mr.
Stanfield, who enlivens the scene with skilfully
introduced groups,. Emerging from the shadow
of a summer cloud are distmatuished the veterans;
of the French republic headed by their young
general. The different passages of *the sky are ad-
mirably managed. so as to render the mountain
range effective, and to harmonise with the rugged
texture of the bastion, and of the broken steps lead-
ing up to it. In picturing the rushing mountain-
stream, and mimicking the rugged texture of rough-
hewn stones, Mr. Stanfield has equalled his former
sleights of hand. Constant to his Etvoinite authors,
Shakespeare and Cervantes, Mr. Leslie gives their
pages alternately central over his ft rtile fancy. As last
year we were Merited to I hm Quixote and Sancho, this
year it is the turner "Falstaff peraonatiug the King"
0.10). With all the habitual-charm and unatfieted
grace of Mr. Leslie's works, this picture is remark-
able fur the warmth of its tummies and general
"quality" of Mom 'somewhat akin to that of Velas-
coca. bat if the Spanish painter bequeathed to us
faithful pictures 4.f the court of his age, Mr. Leslie
amomplishea the near difficult task of bringing
vividly hack to us a picture of an age of whiele few
tree~ have been left behind, save those of tha poet.
That these are ever ample for the purl:eats of
Mr. Leslie 'a pencil, is evident. If the visage
of Falstaff be somewhat familiar to us. his atti-
tude OS he leans int his dagger IS not ; the
noble figure, and misehievints but handsome-looking
Prince, is as full of character as any of this painter's
former works, so is tlmt of the mirthful hostess, and
the smirking courtiers. As one look, on this work,
and those which have preceded it, tie Lacy is filled
with a Leslian Shakspeare Gallery, witch puts
utterly to shame that on which Bovdell lavished such
wealth in the last century. laadseer also aspires
this year to the task of poetical commentatonship.
(h 37) a Titania and Bottom is equally remarkable
for its poetry and its dash of humour; the infatuakd
Titania 'whiles her head on the sturdy frame of
Bottom. The haul of the teas, am well as the rabbits
with transparent pink eyes, ridden by the diminutive
Peasblossom, Cobweb, Mustard-seed, Moth, &c.,
seems touched with fairy brush. The larger picture
by Landover,represents a collective group or- =deb:
With an ox and a horse, gathered round their meal
of vegetables., and beneath a porch. In spite of the
title in the catalogue, which assigns to them
Genovese origin, they have all the outward appear.
ante of thts..e whose bells jingle on the rivals
of the Papal States or over the Pyrenees. 11 the
veterans, however, have trusted thenx-elves to the
guidance of Shakespeare, the associates who comenext
in paint of time, if not talent, have shown themselves
equally anxious to take shelter beneath his capacious
wings. Taking them as they come in the order of
the catalogue, may first be noticed (77) " King Lear
and the Fool in the Storm," by 11. Dyve; in limit-
ing himself to two figures in his coruposit ion, eout rary
to the usual custom. Mr. I )yce has sought to bring out
the contrast of character to the utmost: the
daring fore-shortening of the figure as they lay
stretched on the sloping sward evinces the most skil-
ful draughtsmanship ; indeed, the forms as well as
the general scale of colour Korn to be marked out
for the piecemeal work of fresco painting. The
wrinkled visage and flowing silken beard of Lear is
a fine embediment of impotent despair. Mr. Dyes
has covered his canvas as the freseanli formerly
covered their walls, which admitted of one coating of
paint and no more, unless at the cost of
freshness, depth, and durability. While Mr.
Dvee has taken from the poetic page the furious
strife of the elements, Mr. A. Elmores pencil has
been steeped in time din of battle, His " Hetapur
and the Fop" is by far the most perfect work that
has come from his easel; not in any way trusting to
the captivating graces of feminine forams, which have
hitherto been his forte, this comp osition is marked
by its deep feeling, by the skilful disposition of the
!groups, and its rich fund of strungly-marked charne-
-1 ter. Every head has its distinct traits, as each
pert of the composition fulfils its proper
aim. The figure of the wounded ILaspur
sitting on the shattered gum-carriage, and tallow
in contemptuous derision towards the fop, is finely
conceived. His suit of armour and its neutral greys
serve as a foil to the elaborately embroidered and
rose-coloured vestment of the afeminate °Moder.
The group at the right side of the picture, of the
I men carrying off thew wounded comrade is almost n
picture in itself; little episodes in the background
COURT OF EXCHEQUER—YESTERDAY.
complete the picture. In sekseting a flat plum sew-
! face on which the figures are disposed, Mr. El- sin too ma nosed.
I more has deprived himself of the well-known
Thi3istwl,Nelnanr.aectilio°nwfirEoTugAhstDte°TreHeoEavelr-3,ROUl'l7.luvnAdirclr. a eo-
fiz,ndrualinstsoui;thaeiiird
value of undulating grounds for compassing the pie-
v,r,,:ni,rties a decd entered int
I tUrempte ; but in overcoming the difficulty. without
Ep-o.nt wither as ia atihedilraintt"illby Sttsh!Lthdies.
the too-prevalent abuae of artificial shadows, Mr.
Elmore has issued triumphant. Mr. A. Egg has de- It mansion amt park at Lpeatherhead, in Surruely7ißct.7r4;-
h eno t.th,
tou i
satisfythe
• plead Pepys embracing Nell Gwynne ixfore his
iradi.iliiin;esimeilamttiti•ein„;Ll.:ftittudihianctzt
e
mats the covenant
horror-stricken wife." The unctuous expression of
eu
Pepys has been caught in a manner worthy of his future c,i,iupiimny.botouhttLtintselvcs, " ifn rho cicent of Oe
In queition, whereby they on the part of
passing
; known propensities. This picture is a proof un what
and for sevens:et!, the sumo n:4V for the tthe''
Blonde r thread may lie constructed the most strik-
lug performances. Ti Wing as is the anecdote, the privacy of the park and other such damage, including the
aworks. Th,, defendants pleaded, amongst other matters, iu
' mere amount of inventiou it displays ire ou a hire of a temporary residence during the progress of the
level with it ; and, though there is scarce an atti-
nswer to the d.rlatvtioa, t(littitot company had nut taken
kale which might not be found in the etchings of
Hullar, its manipulative dexterity malice it es vials- Mr. Peacock the lead of the ICliptured"on IN-leasetf time wplaintiffad and eon-
able as a Terburg, whose satins, whose complexions, tended tint the ..1311 of 3,000 t. hearse, ab,ilutely payable t.)
and handling, Mr. Egg wools to approximatethe plaintiff from the company or the defendants on the
passing of the hill," though the purchase of the land might
!xil,ert hcaotineti(nttusstilae.e. on
44•Ilica alune.the
closely.
Them is one work which, by its earnest !spirit,
conscientious treatment, anti life-size dimensions, which the PlafUriff augu. lits'peiha"pslti.a4l.BthZU"nalLoolutth.e

The pre-Raphaelit‘s have come out in strength,
adhering to their tenets with the faith of martyrs,
yet commanding respect by their fervid and devo-
tional artistic principles. (394) " Valentine re-
ceiving Sylvia from Proteas;" a scene front the " Two
Gentlemen of Verona," is in the same vein as the
"Persecuted Druids" of last year, with it seems to
us a more elevated comprehension of the amenities
of art. The embroidered green attire of Sylvia and
the bed of dried leaves on which she kneels aro
wonders of finish. Mr. Millais exhibits some minor
works, such as "The Return of the Dove to the
Ark," in which the colourist and draughtsman con•
tend for mastery'. These and other masterly perform-
ances by Ward, Poole, Nook, Goodall, &e., we must
reserve for the present. The little octagon room has
been entirely devoted to architectural designs.

lain intelligence.

EQUITY COUIITS,—YEsTznoAY.

iiIIPOTIK THI: mann

•
•
IN THE MATTER. Or % AVAPIOUII, A LUNATIC.
In this matter, the natare of which was stated in our
former reports, and which, m short, was an application by
the committee of the lunatic's estate, for on order under
the net 1 Wm. IV., c. 2i, pa. 27 and •lti, to sell au ailvowsou
or the next presentation to a living belonging to the lunatic,
the Lord Chancellor said he had considered the sections of
the act, and was of opinion that it gave him no power to
make the order asked f tr. lie had asked for authority,
but none could be produced.
IN lit Inca Similar, .t LUNATIC.
His lordship intimated to the counsel for the petition to
supersede the coonnission in this matter, that he had ar-
ranged with Vice-Chaneellor Knight Bruce to :it with him
li to hear the ixtitiou on Wednesday neat. Having hen n
formerly counsel for Mr. Ityce Sombre, he considered it
right to associate another judge with him in hearing
his case.
him lordship said lie would sit in the llou.so of Lords on
Thursday end Friday next.

Barons Loan Ca.mrasta (Vicaenaravisaa).
Tx. DIIIECT OX lUD. READING, AND IikIIGIITON RAIL.
RAT CUM I' AN V. ES I•AHTa U *IV NT 01

_ —•
EXPENNE-4 rot etIETUIRETOILIC3I AltE WILL
This was the tirst of a C 134.4 of eases which arc expected
to come before the court as to the amount for which per-
sons who have been found to he contributorit a, are t be
liable. The case of Mr. Uptill had been carried upon appeal
to the Ilou.e of Lords, when it woo decial,al that as he had
taken shares in his character of provisiunal conunitter-man,
he was liable to be placed no the list of contributories. In
vow:qui:nee of this the Mater had made a call upon Lim
and others similarly lan:deal of 21. 124. 6.1. per share. A
motion was now made to reverse the Master'. decision, on
the ground that the shareholders ought not to he called
upon to contribute rateably for all the expenses incurred,
hut only to be liable for ouch espcuses as each
individicil contributor had authorised. Thus, two or
three or men' tenons might have authorised the payment
of the engineer's a %pm*, ; others might have authorised
the appointment and payment of a secretary ; and in all
such cases the members were only to lac Bailed mum to pay
for those expenses which they had actuxlly authoriossl. On
the other 1101151, it was emu, aided that the Nla4ter had power
under the ‘Vindiaguup Acts to call upou the contributories
to pay such c ills as he mialat in his discretion think fit, and
that at was just to make them all pay- an equal share of the
expenses.
n•d Cranworth aai•i this was a very important question,
and he ►hould resew: his judualt, at.

COURT OF COMMON PLEAS.—YESTEIIDAY.
1.3.Nr0,..11111 TO: 1.013. C.uy II:MICR JUAN MI. In-
me CRIMINAL., Kr. .Itbri,r it.u.stA, &Yu ML Juan.'
'Dam an.
TIIP. EARL or CLARENDON AND OTHERS C. TIIP. PARINI
OF Sr. JAMES*44, WE/ITMIN.TEIt.—TIIIS LONDON
IMAM%

iiiirsWas a special case which came before the court
from the Middles-1 tt.asions,. and the point upon
which the eLeisii,n of Chi court was required
was whether a literary association called the "Lon-.
don Library,' 11111.1 hal& to Le rated tau' too more
of the poor, or whether it was exemoted by the pro.isions
of the 6 6: 7 Vic., cap. 36, which exempted societies which
were form .s 1 for the marls.• or pr...ntios literature,
—0.,....., or me nee ruts from the payment of poor rates.
It ap;:eard that the uppella LL ts , the Earl of Clarendon, the
Earl of Devon, on . Philip Posey, Esq., were the trustet a
of the London Library, %hilt society occupied No. 12, St.
James'sospiare, and that the object of the society oas to
allow its memlwri either to read books at their own houses
or at the library itself. It appeared that part of the pr :
wises in St. Jamcs'soluare were undsrlet to other societies,
the Philological &slay being tenants to the London
Library at a rental of 1501. per annum, and the statistical
S.tht, twin! also tenants and paying a rent of 3111. in year.
Beside- these too soeieties there son a third society, who
occupied premises under the Loudon Library, called the
Ilukalyt Society, the object of which society was to print
And ..4:11 rare ataireiginal English and foreign books.
Mr. Serj. ant ('hanuell (Mr. D. 1). Keane was with him)
now conteudesl that the London Library was liable to pay
poor rate:. The learned serjeunt sulnintted that the Lou-
don Library was not an associatiou within the meanin it of
6 if: 7 Vie., cap. 31. It was not altog,ther a society formed
for the purp, of advancing the intents of literature, be-
cause the books were read by the members for their atuns,
went. Another r.stson why the London Library could 7of
be considered to bo within the meaning of the act of par-
liament was, because three other societies held part of the
premises, which had been let to tit. as by the London Li-
brary, and the certitieate of Mr. Tidd Pratt, the barrister,
that these then other societies were societies that came
within the meaning of the act of parliament had nut be u
obtained. To entitle the London Library to the exemption
which it sought he (Mr. Serjeant Chairmen) submitted that
the whole of the premixes should have been occupied by
the London Library, and that a portion }wing let out to
societies which had not obtained the neeessary certificate
front Mr. Tidd Pratt, prevented the London Library front
Is hist exempted from the payment of poor rates. lc impport
of his argument the learned serjeant cited acveral au-
thorities, amongst other, the judgment of the Court
of Qucet's Bench in the r3Sl` of " The Queen v.
Brandt," which was the cast of the Manehester Amateur Con-
eert-rooms. The h anted serjeaut also cited the case of
" The Quern v. Pocock," a here it was held that the Bell-
Riot's Tract Society was liable to pay poor rotes in respect 01.
the premises which they occupied, because theology could
not be held to be liteiat ore.

Mr. Crowder, Q.C., with whom was Mr. Parry, on be-
half of the appellants, urged that it was clear that the
London Library was a soci, ty which tame within the act of
parliament. The subscription of the maubers was a volun-
tary aubaeription, and the objects of the society were portly
and entirely the advancement of literature generally ; fur
the London Library might be used by authors for the pur-
pose of rekrence, and if utter making those references they
wrote a work, it would be clear that the Loudon Library
had been used for the advaneement of literature. With re-
st rrt to the
he
tl•(11e
r. Crowder)
Library
submittedui 1;17
as they
partth
toyf
were under', t to vocieties who haul scit antic and literary ob-
jects in view, the London Library could not on that ac-
t:Gent be held liable to pay poor rune.
The Lord Chief Justu•e said that he was of opinion, both
with regard to the authorities a hieh had been cited, and the
facts of the case, that the London Library was not a society
which came within the meaning of the 6th and 7th Vie.,
tap. 36. A 'opting the language of Lord Campbell, in the
ease of the Queen v. Brandt, he hoped the London Li-
brary might long flourish p.,yatrc ita poor rates. With I
respect to the second point, it was clear upon the authorities i
that the mid. rletting by the Loudon Library to other
societies, of a portion of tlit ir premises, rendered thsui
liable to pay poor rates, particularly as those moieties had
not yet obtainel a certificate front the barrister whoa• duty
it was to give it. For flume reasons he (the Lord Chief Jus-
tice) waxer opinion that the rate was a god one, and that
the judgnu it of the court ought, therefore, to be in favour
of the reapondents.
The reat of their lordeiips exprcesed a similar opinion.
Judgment for the respondents accordingly.

company, by inducing him to withdraw his opposition, ob-
tained, when the bill passed, the right to interfere with and
prejudice his property, and that was a right which the de-
fendants ought well purchase at the sum of 3,0001.
Mr. Bramwell, for the defendants, contended that the
condition precedent to the liability to pay the3,oool.,was the
taking the land for the purposes of the railway and the
making of the line. Unless these acts were done no damage
could be done to the privacy of the plaintiff's park. Nor
could any injury arise to him in any of the matters pointed
out in the deed; both the parties evidently cmitemplattsf,the
making of the line through the plaintiff's park. It w.c..
therefore, a sufficient answer to the claim of tho plaintiff
to say that the land had not been taken /•y the. defendants
who could only
t
be said be to have agreed with the
plaintiff to pay him
fordantages, when his claim for
such arose, tu.tead of going before a jury to estimate them
accArding to the provisions of the Land Clauses Acts.
Mr. Peacock, in his reply, submitted that as the plaintiff
never could have recovered damages from a jury for many
of the particulars clarified in the deed, it wit clear that the
object of the parties was to provide for the payment to the
plaintiff of the sum agreed on for tease and all other in-
jurie, and it was but reasonable to hold that the plaintiff
was entitled to th.it payment as soon as the act had pacseil,
which precluded him trout opposin.t the line, and made his
property subservient to the purpose, of the company.
The Lord Chief llama said the court would concider their
judgment.
J udgruent dc (erred accordingly.
COURT OF 13ANKItI.71.TCY.—YEsrenutir.
6110111, Ma. Coup:most:it hot KOVD.

.----.
IN RE GEORGE STURT.—TRE ST. ALIIANX DANE.
The bankrupt had lien in partnership with Mr. Gibson,
as bankers, at St. Albans. It may h.• re:mothered that the
e..e was heard at gnat length, and that the certificates of
both bankrupts had been als.olutely refused. Stun had
since made au attidavi; at greath length praying for a re-
hearing.
His honour havin.t taken time to go carefully through
the affidavit, said, that the act gave him the 'sower to re-
hear a caw, " unit as the court shall we good et:use to believe
that the allowance of such certificate, or the alum!, or sus-
pcitsion thereof, has been obtained on false evi-
dence, or by rttson of au improper suppression of
evidence, or has been fraudulently obtaintsl." 110 had,
gouc through Mr. Start's affidavit and given it is best at-
tention.

The learned Commisdoncr would wish to know if Mr.
Sturt had anything to told to his said tit.
Mr. Stun W.L. willing to abide by the judgment of the
court on the facts set fokth. llr could, howct•cr, hate
' brought forward .41,2 circumstances.

His Honour then said he had given the bankrupt's MN-
d wit the hest cousith ration, and 1w bit that in conformity
with the terms of the act he could not grAnt a re-hearing.
The attida‘it was very laurthy, and appear,' to contain a
deal of irrelevant matter. The bankrupt had seemed to
have been of opinion that the best way to vindicate hi., ow u
character was to bring forward thorns* against others.

_ .....
The RAMC% of four or the gentleman against whom chargoi
had liven mod wore ha re mentione I.
The bankrupt said he had s!ated in hiA aflldarit that Ili.
Honour's view. on the ease were error:tots, and founded
upon data which were decidedly untrue
His Honour add that he had stilimittsl tine affida-
vit to Mr. Commi.shiner Foublanque. and that learned
eournis.ioner .aw no reason fur gruntisin a re-laming.
Thu bankrupt must confess that the decision surprised
him.

His Honour mid he would take this opportunity of ob-
serving that he had received several letters from Mr.
Gibson, dated Boulogne," compla' • g bitterly of his
judgment. He had felt it his duty to take no notice
whatev:r of tllO, lethr:,but upon benigrent:uued,lie emit-
municated with Mr. I.awrince, Mr.Gil.son's solicitor, whoa
said he would state his opinion to Mr. Gih.on upon the in:-
propriety of su doing. He should have tioct:.;lit that Mr.
Gibson, being a solicitor, would have kn. awn he could take
no notice of any such communication, and he mentioned
the subject publicly in order that Mr. Gibant ought know
that acting as he (the commissioner) had done was simply
in the line of his duty.

Mr. Linklater .aidhe had not read th• ailidacit, but hie
1111111 C hating !Wen Illy M1M1,..1, he bhould like to know what
the charge agaiewt hint o a.._

ICosou—r—That you have disregarded your client's
eau•c out of too great a frien.Luip for Mr. Lowrance.
(Laughter:l _

Mr. Linklater—Mr Lawranee gtated that he could not
ezp,et any conbitleration from mc, although I was a brother
pr.tetitioner.
The allitLavit was ordered to he tiled.
INSOLVENT 1)F.IIT()ItS' anTILT-VESTERDAY.

IIAY'~RR ?114 One vvf.t.:,it Lax.

Is RE WILLIAX SfEXT AND FlitULltteli WAILItt:IITON

STR]T.

Theo, iniolvents (father and 5..) applied to he diAcharired
under the art. Mr. Cooke sulipontrt.
The applicants had been liuerated on .art•tioq, and Wil-
liam Stent, the father, had since been committed to White-
en...stns.t l'rimin by a county court fur 20 days.
Mr. Cooke in'urmed the horned Cuannissioner that Mr.
IMedou, the keeper of Whiterru.s.,-treet l'rbem, had at-
tended to mentimi the eircunvoanee. The warrant In. COl4.
lit .4 Frederick Stunt, and the °dicer haul
taken the wrong perwm, William Stent.

'flu: case of the father unto inve.dittat,d by the court. Ile
had taken so.nc hour, and incurred th • to fiu:slt them,
*Wit here ut.t nu is sclietiuie. The house* hail 6.eu
mortinm,l to a 4uiidioe nicety, and the equity of rs (temp-
luut been sold.

Mr. Cocke reumeied that the building soeirty was in-
*cried Ow 1,0001. There 1111. always a goal deal of mystery
about building 'amities. %hid' he could not understand.
Mr. COMlllis•infl.T Las- replied that there went some
things itt the case very clear, whatever mystery might be
about others. It was quite clear that, had the creditors
attended, they could have made their complaints.
Ills amour adjourned the ease to a day before the war-
rant of commitatent by the county court. 11, multi mint
interfere with the commitment, tts the warmut was prior to
the di-charge WI Suretks. The CAW was accordingly ad-
i journed.