The Express.
London, England, 1851-05-14 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY EVENING, MAY 14, 1851.

Boccaccio, are his theme; but in aiming at attaining
the Venetian colouring which existed not as yet in
the days of Boccaccio, we more than suspect that Mr.
Kennedy has also given the slip of a century or so to
thegeneral character of his costumes. Be that as it may,
each trivial imperfections, if so they may be called,
are amply redeemed by the ever-pleasing strokes of
this colourist. Mr. Ansdell, though not visible in
his usual mighty scale, has some masterly produc-
tions, which may take the same rank in painting
which fables take in literature. Terse in style and
vigorous in handling, they enforce a moral, which is
never lost on the spectator. Mr. Ansdell is to be
found in what is now called the "North Room,"
formerly known as that limbo of vanities,
the architectural room, but which, in its pre-
sent metamorphosed state, is found by no means
the least attractive of the Exhibition, as the Jost-
ling crowd there collected may testify. Messrs.
Rankley and Brooks seem here to have taken up the
virtuous indignation line, and, judging from the con-
tinual appearance of such works from the hands of
the engraver, there seems to be a brisk demand
for such. Mr. Brocky, with trite Hungarian re-
verence for the antique, adopts the composition
,of • cameo, and transfers it to canvass ;
and overlooking the poetic license which enables
Phaon to stand in a cockle, without upsetting it,
there is much good groundwork and effective paint-
ing in the Sappho, Venus, or whoever the nude
female is meant to represent.

The miniature room is crowded, as is its wont, by
admiring groups catching glimpses of their favourite
Thorburn and Ross, who here reign supreme. Mr.
C. J. Bastbo also exhibits some' promising and
talented works in this department. Here, mdubi- I
tably, an exquisite little portrait of the Hon. Mrs.
Boyle, by W. Bolan, should find its place,
being chiefly remarkable as a successful
medley of oil and water-colour artifices. The well-
known French artist Yvon, whose name, by-the-bye,
is misprinted Yoon in the catalogue, exhibits some
characteristic Russian sketches. Mr. P. A. Jeunron's
"Flight into Egypt "(643) may afford to the unini-
tiated a slight insight into the Itembmodtism of man-
ner which has of late obtained amongst French land-
scapists. In quite another vein are the bright bits of
SWISS scenery by J. I). Harding, who seems to have
completely given up his title and honours accruing,
to the chiefs of the old Water Colour Society, for
the questionable position held in the Royal Academy.
(103) " Bonneville, on the road from Geneva to Cha-
mouni," is that beautiful first stage towards Mont
Blanc, faithful to the spot. Here Mr. Lance dubs
the twin products of the grape with the title of
" Brune"-et-" Blonde." I). Roberta exhibits his
usual versatility, exterior or interior to him are
all the same, the first shining in desigtl,
the latter chiefly by colour. 'The stealthy
shadows, which have crept over the plain
and overtaken the group of pillars in the " Surprise
of the Caravan"—a scene in Syria (464), are
as solemn as the groups of scared travellers
are the reverse; the figures need concentration.
(383). An allegorical sketch of the meeting of all
nations in 1851, by Mr. J. Tennicl, is provokingly
like the cartoon in lust week's Punch. The group-
ing is masterly, but if enlarged, as proposed by the
artist, the bare middle space will require some tilling
up. With the fine Venetian scenes of Linton and
Cooke, the British commons by Linnell, and trout-
streams by Lee, may be closed the enumeration of those
pictures which the memory dwells on with unalloyed
pleasure.
The tide of sculpture having set in this year quite
in another direction, the pleasant little sculptural,
coal-hole has less than its habitual attractions. With
the exception of Daily's " Youth and Dog;" a De-
mosthenes-looking George Stephenson, by Gibson ;
and two busts, by Baron Marochctti, one repre-
senting Lady Gower and the other Prince Albert,
there is scarce anything worth noting in this
marble Agapemone. His eminence Cardinal Wiseman
has lost no ground or opportunity, and will be found
ensconced between Madame Grisi and Murphy. Mr.
J. Hancock, perha, evinces a more original ten-
dency than most of his brethren ; besides the statue
of" Beatrice," in the Industrial Exhibition, may be
seen in the Royal Academy two productions, both of
promise and performance. In selecting the evanes-
cent form of Undine," and the rapid motion of
"Youth and Joy," this artist seems to have opened
an entirely novel sphere for the works of the chisel.
On the whole this exhibition is one if not of a
higher, at least of more equal merit, than any of the
preceding ones, and the almost total absence of crude
and undigested works militates to a certain extent
in at first perceiving its full value by contrast; but
repeated visits can only confirm first impressions.

GENERAL DOMESTIC SERVANTS' BENEVOLENT IN-
arrrurion.—Yesterday the annual meeting of the support-
ers of this institution took place at the Hanover-square
Rooms, Lord Robert Grosvenor in the chair. His lordship
congratulated the meeting. upon the steady progress which
had been made by the society from its commencement, and I
expressed • hope that its patrons would continue to increase'
aa its usefulness became better known and appreciated.
The secretary read a report which commenced by referring,
in terms of congratulation, to the steady development of
the institution, and proceeded to state, that during the past
year between 1,200 and 1,300 new members had joined the
I institution, which now had a permanent fund of
' 5,3681. 17s. 2d. The committee also felt great pleasure in
recommending during the past year another election of pen-
sioners, the result of which was published on the sth of
February, when four members were declared duly elected,
making together eight pensioners already receiving
permanent relief, each to the amount of 15/. or
201. per annum. The committee further announced
that another election of four pensioners will take place in
July. The objects of the institution had also been further
carried out in affording temporary assistance to several of
its members, who were in very distressed circumstances.
The registry department, established solely for the benefit
of the members, continued to exhibit highly satisfactory
and encouraging results; several hundred families of dis-
tinction having engaged servants through its medium, and
having expressed themselves much pleased with the ser-
vants so selected. The committee invited particular atten-
tion and consideration to the necessity and advantage of
registering the rules of the institution agreeably to act of
parliament, thereby securing for its funds the fullest pro-
tection afforded by law. For completing this object, the
committee had adopted the necessary measures, and only
such alterations and additions had been made in the rules
as the act of parliament rendered imperative. The report con-
cluded by thanking the nobility and gentry for their patron-
age and subscriptions, and soliciting a continuance of their
support. The Earl of Harrowby moved, and the Rev. Mr.
Howarth seconded, the adoption of the report, which was
unanimously agreed to. Lord Lilford moved that the rules
of the institution be registered in accordance with the set of
parliament, so as to give the funds every protection afforded
by law. The Rev. J. Browne seconded the motion, which
was carried unanimously. Other resolutions were passed
in accordance with the objects of the institution, and the
basins.' terminated with • vote of thanks to the Chairman,
who, in expressi; his acknowledgments, said he felt the
greatest possible easure in being present on so interesting
an occasion, and if hi- life were spared he should have equal
gratification in attending at the next anniversary of this '
truly valuable institution.
LONDON PHILANTUROPIC SOCIETY.—Last even- 1
tag the anniversary festival, in aid of the funds of this
institution, took place at the London Tavern, Bishopec ls ei-
street ; Mr. Alderman Cubitt, M.P., in the chair.
society it appeared was established for the purpose of pro-
Tiding the poor with bread and coals in all parts of the '
metropolis and its suburbs ; and the chairman in proposing',
the toast of the evening—iris., "Continued prosperity to
the Institution "—observed that it had special claims upon
the attention of the public, inasmuch as its object was to
supply, in en unostentatious manner, the wants of those
who may have been reduced by misfortune to the necessity
of depending goon their friends for support. The society
had its origin 10 years ago in one of the manufactories of
the metropolis during • period of great distress, when a
large number of persons associated themselves together,
with the benevolent intention of establishing a
means of relief which formed the nucleus ot some-
thing durable and extensive. The institution, it
appeared, had no permanent fund; bat the income
was at the present moment ten times as much as it was in
the first year of its existence; and the statement of the
committee showed that since the let of December last up-
wards of 8,000 tickets for four-pound loaves of bread and
66 lbs. of coals had been distributed among the subscribers
in all parts of the metropolis. The chairman concluded his
observations by an earnest appeal fora continuation of the
patronage which had already been bestowed upon the
society; and the toast having been !upended to, the names
of various gentlemen connected with the charity were made
the subject of speeches, and a list of subscriptions was
read, emanating in all to upwards of 3001., being the
largest sum ever yet collected for the purposes of this useful
institution.

Merrnia OF ENVMERATOEE UNDER THE LATE
Censoc—Last evening a meeting of enumerators took
place at the Globe Tavern, Derby-street, King's-eroes, Mr.
%henna in the chair. A memorial to the Secretary of
State was unanimously agreed to to submit to his otest-
aeration the insuMciency of the remuneration for the ear-
Mao of the mooriahts, and tatting forth that the=
tress in Sok imilestior won met emphatically
to employ MY but istailict nag trustworthy mem,
and men whose position in we. a esMcient frnareatee
that the duties of their ones well be performed in • Pre'
per and efficient manner; that die andel wan doable
those of the last census, and the atimm••••• Inairsollmo
were not banded to them until they had deal tin be. of
contract