The Express.
London, England, 1851-04-14 00:00:00

FINE ARTS.

THE EXHIBITION OF THE NATIONAL INSTI-
TUTION, 316, REGENT-STREET.
This exhibition, which was opened to private view
on Saturday, will be thrown open to the public to-
day. A marked advance on former exhibitions
shows that the members contributors generally have
been desirous of impressing favourably the vast host
of visitors now daily expected to be welcomed in
London. Indeed, so great have been the strides, that
we can with difficulty recognise in the present exhi-
bition that tender bantling which emerged from the
" Free Exhibition," Hyde Park Corner. The eye
is no longer offended with insane composition
and crude attempts of colouring. One curious
fact, however, can scarcely fail to attract the
notice of our continental guests; it is how the
gallant centary. of exhibitors, whose joint labours
are summed up in the present exhibition, can have
attained their present seemingly uniform level of
excellence, and each artist has striven in his own
peculiar walk, without in the least encroaching on
the labours of his immediate neighbour.
If quaintness could be named originality, if frigidity
comes under the denomination of style, if a return to
the elaborate finicality of early miniaturists and mis-
sal illuminators be commendable, then does Mr. J.
Collinson bid fair to be a painter of first rate emi-
nence. Thank Providence we have as yet no Pugin-
, istic feeling in painting, no Gothic agonies of forms •
these, with the " brimming stoups," the lofty goods,
the enriched screens and coloured tiles, so tbndly
dwelt on by catholic-minded Welby, Mr. J. Collinson
has wrought with what Fuseli aptly calls " the
elaborate anguish of missal painting."
The subject represents an incident in the life of
"St. Elisabeth of Hungary," when found by the
scandalised Landgravine humbling herself at the
fat of the crucifix, the Feast of the Assumption.
The difficulty of representing such a subject must be
obvious. Painting must fall short of the legend,
which describes this fair devotee of Eisenach as
nursed by angels, and dropping flowers from her'
miraculously endowed person. Just as when two
particles are placed under a microscope, the smallest
seems to dwindle to nothing, the same phenomenon
takes place in nature. But Mr. J. Collinson. with
ultra-microscopic precision, makes every detail,
whether of back, middle, or fore-ground,
painfully prominent. It is with pleasure
we turn front this performance to a less
work of this artist in that style in which he formerly
won merited success. "The Reply" (93) is the
terse title, more amply developed in the picture,
which represents a labourer dictating to his children
a letter, expressing resolve to join comrades already
settled in Australia. The side glance of the mother is
pathetic in its silent appeal. Mr. Deverell has not kept
the promise his picture of last year tended to engender.
His " Banishment of Hamlet*" is crude in tone and
slovenly in design; portions of the composition, par-
ticularly the expressions of the countenances, evince
the raw material of a good designer.
It is not always easy to distinguish the two
Landers front one another ; both have that very pecu-
liar bronzy method of colouring, which is in painting
what the Scotch accent is to the vernacular ; their
costumes, their swarthy models, &c., are identical.
The same may be said of the two Messrs. liarraud,
of the Underhills, of the Williamses, &e.; surely there
is no imperative necessity for Siamese links in art.
" The Edict of Leo the Iconoclast" (43), shows how
fur the artist's ingenuity has been tusked to cram a
great deal in a very small space; by dint of fore-
siortening and cramming figures in every avail-
able space, an oppressive sensation is conveyed
not slightly enhanced by the colouring, in
which the flesh and its covering vestments seem to
be under the influence of rapid decomposition. The
drawing, however, is skilful and masterly. The
same may be said of Mr. Scott lAuder's t.Christ's
walking on the Seu." (61), in which, as well as
divers other compositions of a sacred east, the painter
has freely made use dim effective chiaroscuro, eon-
sisting m relieving dark forms against light back-
grounds. These daring contrasts could only be tole-
rated at the hands of ripe colourists. In works like
Mr. W. Underhill's "Swing" (21) it is difficult to
determine whether flippancy of toueh or freshness
of execution have the uppermost hand; evincing at
once intimate knowledge of the powers of the
palette, and a reckless abuse of its slay/ling power.
I,'he juvenile pieces of Sant's pencil arc uhugether
alien from the thoughts of Mr. Underhill; and. like
all imitations, his travestie Isis somewhat the air of a
caricature. 11" e prefer tits brilliant bit of colouring
entitled " Coast Scene " (4) ; there is sunshine in
the atmosphere in which bask sonic most picturesque
accessories. Placed immediately above this, and
perhaps a trifle too sombre in eimparison, is a clever
landstniss entitled "The Falls of Ogwen, at the head
of the foss of Nara Francon, Carnamonshire " (3),
by Mr. W. E. Dighton. The different forms of
die dark-hued rocks, contrasted with the gush-
ing foam of the torrent, evince great study,
truth, and breadth of treatment. The same
spot, though from a different point of view,
has been treated in a different manner by Mr.
Sidney Percy, in (39) Llyn laws!, North Wales;
while the first is all isipasto, the latter trusts to CX•
twine attenuation of colour. How far this system
of Mr. Percy is capable of producing excessive finish
is visible in (250), " Storm clearing off," which is
evidently a companion to the artists' picture of
Rougli Pasture, exhibited last year. Thus we are
already familiarised with the elaborate design of
tine-ground vegetation and its dock-weeds. It is,
ut ever, impossible not to remonstrate seriously
with those landscapists who seem too anxious to
sacrifice the integrity of their art for the sake of
mere effect. Whether, in this instancy, the
monstrous black cloud was subsequently painted
in to supply a title to the picture, it
would be rush to determine; still, this is the too
natural inference, the rest of the picture being as
unequivocally under the immediate influence of the
sun in its lights and shadows. This is the only
blemish to au otherwise beautiful landscape. Mr.
L. W. Desangcs, who has been long dallying with
flaming effects of reflected light, has this year plunged
headlong into the consuming element; and his
" Destruction of Pompeii and Herculaneum" (32),
shows intimate acquaintance with some of its most
terrible phases. Though to a certain extent bring-
ing back to memory some works of Hanby or Mar-
tin, the resemblance is rather in the subject than
the treatment, which is Mr. Deranges' own. If in-
clined to be hypercritical, we might ask why Mr.
ksanges, who, in other works, asserts his
powers of draughtsmanship, did not introduce some
incidents to relieve the horror of this scene of rack
and ruin? The page of Bulwer on this very subject
contains some admirable groups, which seem carved
out for the pencil. On the other hand, Mr. G.
Fripp, whose iliac is the water colour genre, seems
bent oil proving that the chilly tones of the snowy
range are just as legitimate themes for the painter
as the warm ones of the lambent eruption. In truth
it were best to leave this an open question. Some
have remarked that Switzerland, in spite of
its unrivalled scenery, has produced no great
landscapist ; and if 'Odium has been the solo
exception to this rule, it is that he has made Choi
snow-clad Alps subordinate to other beauties, ho has
gilded their peaks and buried their base, as is ,
Mount Blanc, viewed front his native town of
Geneva. We rejoice in the total absence of
sculpture ; and mediocrity in this art especially will
ever be insufferable.
The Great Industrial Exhibition will, we sincerely
hope, serve to give an impetus to this too-neglected'
sister art, and next year the National Institution, it
may be hoped, be additionally enhanced in value by
i•
its presence.

EaID intelltgence.

COURT OF BANKRUPTCY.-SATURDAY.
_ __ Divots Ma. Couramsom 01WLISIIIIPI.

RE M ATI I , ATR CALg RA

Mr. Charles Mathews has once more had reeoume to pro-
tection from this court ; his present debts are said to ho
about 9,0001., and his proposal to pay his creditors in full is
founded upon the hope he entertains of realising a largo
sum from a forthcoming entertainment during the season
of the Great Exhibition. Mr. Mathews had numerous

processes in the county courts out against him at the suit of
emptoy.4 at the Lyceum Theatre, and hence the necessity
of his petitioning the court under Lord Brougham's Debtor
and Creditor Arrangement Act.
Mr. Commissioner Fane, in this Os in all similar in-
-1
stances) did not appoint nn ntficial assignee to realise the
estate, but sanctioned the appointment Ma creditor.

INSOLVENT DEBTORS' COURT-SATURDAY.

14,10: MN. (.0‘1!41.10,41!1. LAW.

Is rur. 31 ti TE.;(—oI7,I;;TVITE.,:- ''

ON MONET LENDING" ADVERTISER.
This insolvent, who had advertised as a " discount
agent," as " 11. James," and as " James 11." and also as
" Mr. II." appeared for final examination. The caso had
been before the court on several occasions, the last hearing
being on the 13th January, and from the disclosures made
in bill discounting extraordinary, had created a good
deal of public intervst.
Mr. Dowse oppossil on the present occasion for a Mr.
Bowen, and Mr. Sargood, who held several briefs, appeared
for Captain Campbell and two persons named Itobinson and
Sewell. Ile bad represented other parties on the former
occasions, who complained with the others that the insol-
vent through his advertisements to lend money had ob-
tained their acceptances. The insolvent was his own ad-
vocate.

The insolvent, who is a person of very plausible manners,
had figured in this court and the Court of Bankruptcy as an
applicant fur relief on "eight " separate occasions. lie had
offices in Northumberland-street. Strand, from which placo
he advertissd to advance money to gentlemen in need of tho
same, and the examinations iu the court showed that
clergymen, clerks in government departments, and others
had placed their bills in his hands for the purpose of
bring discounted. In some instances " pictures " were to
be taken in part discount. It appeared in evidence that
the insolvent had placed in the hands of Mr. 1). Leo-
pold Lewis, of Water lane, Tower-street, hills to 1,4261.,
which he had received fmm gentlemen, and into the hands
°Vs. Lewis Lees, bills to 6YO/.
In the course ut the ease Mr. Commissioner Law made a
searching examination into the bills obtained by the insol-
vent by means of his advertisements, and examined Mr.
Lewis and Mr. Levy and other parties.
Mr. Commissioner Law intimated he had his impres-
sion on the ease, and wished to know whether the insolvent
wished another adjournment? Bills to nearly 3,0001. had
been obtained, which had been handed to his two friends,
Lewis and Levy.
The insolvent asked the court to adjudicate upon his caw

without another adjournment.
Mr. Commissioner Law then went over the principal fea-
tures of the ease. Ile said a " cartdoad" of bills had been
obtained, and there was no evidence to show what had be-
come of them—the parties would not tell. All that was
known was that they had gone to his confederatm It was
when the insolvent was deeply involved, and knew that he
must make another appearance in this court, that he got
the bills. Ile had handed to Lewis bills to 1,4251., and
all that had been obtained for them were fivo
paintings. There was one painting for 1001., which had been
pawned for rd., and there was amain r un which 21ts. had
been raised. Such was the value of the imintings given for
the mass of hills. The hills handed to Levy were to (lsOi.,
and only. 6.5/. was obtained. He (the Commiwibmcr)
wit., of opinion that Hier: Lad bd en a making away with tho
bills; that property had been made away or concealed; and
he should treat the ease as a very dishonest one. Ilia

Honour pronounced a Judgment of 24 calendar months from
the vesting onler, for making away with property, and for
giving a prefereoce to Lewis.
The inwlveut, on hearing his judgment, declared that
he had been completely made the victim of other people.
The judgment will date from the vesting order on the
12th Oetoht r, leaving the insolvent, who has for years car-
ried on the profession of a discount agent, a period of 13
months longer to remain in the Queen's Prison.

CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT.

OLD COURT.-SATURDAY.
BILPUFK MIL RAMIS MAIPTIN.

ROBBERY BY .0 CUNYIBENTIAL SLRVANT, AND ITN

DEVEStE.

John 21f oe, 2.1, 'errant, was indicted for stealing six
cheque-books, a microscope, four shirt studs, and labor
articles valued at lOU, the property of George Henty
Br, ttle, his master.
The prosecutor it appeared was the partner in a city
heeds, and resided at Westbourne-terrace. The prisoner
had been in his service for time or four years, and
had acted us his valet prior to his marriage, and while
he occupied bachelor's chamber% in the Albany. In
eonsemtenee of some misconduct on the part of oho
prisoner he was discharged by Mr. "Inane at Christ-
mas hest, and shortly afterwards, from etitein dis-
coveries that he made, he caused the prisoner to he taken
into custody ; and upon his lodging ing searched a consi-
derable (mouthy of property was discovered which had
been stolen front Mr. I:settle, and there was every reason
to suppose that the prisoner had been currying on a system
of plunder the whole time he had been in the service of the
prineeutor. The fact of the robbery having been com-
mitted appeared to be quite conelinave, and if any doubt
upon the subject bad by possibility existed, it was removed
by the prisoner having himell, when he was taken into
custody, admitted to the constable that he had some pro-
perty of Mr. Brettle's in his poi•essiiin, and begging him
for God'. sake to allow hint to speak to his master to urge
hint nut to psoceed against him.
The prosecutor was subjected by the counsel for the pri-
soner to a very long cross-examination open mitten, which
appeared to have very little whatever to do with the qnes-
bun at issue. The name of a lady was mentioned with
whom the prosecutor, prior to his marriage, had enter.
taiued intimate relations, and that lady, he stated, had
now been dead some time. The of ut the cruss-exruni-
nation appeared to he to show that the articles alleged to
have been stulen had been given to the prisoner in order
that certain matters that occurred prior to the marriage of
Mr. Brittle might not be mentiimedlhy the prisoner ; but
this wan I m”,itively denied. The prosecutur shin denied that
he had ever promised to give the prisoner a suit of clothes
and six months' wages if he would leave hint ; hut, on the
contrary, he said he turned him out of the house without
my notice, because he was impertinent to his wife.
Mr. Mew then asked to be allowed to see the contents of
the cheque hoele.
The prosecutes appears' to his lordship whether his pri-
vate cheque-books ought to be looked over, when, us it ap-
peared to hint they could have nothing to do with the case.
The jury interposed, unit the (unman said it was their
opinion that the course of crussa sautivation was a mint
improper one, and it appeared to them that the inquiries
that were made acre quite useless and irrelevant, and
did not in any manner tend to elicit the real truth of the
transaction.
Mr. Baron Martin said he had long entertained the same
opinion, but they must give credit to the learned counsel
fur having some object in view, and if in his discretion ho
thought it right to penievere, the court could not pre-
: vent hint.
Mr. Mew assured his lordship that he was acting from
Ibis instructions, and that it Wus important to the interest of
the prisoner that these questions should be answered.
The foreman of the jury (with warinth).—l can only say
I would much rather be robbed by my servant to any
amount and Ray nothing about it titan get into that box as
a witness, if 1 ant to be subjected to an examination into all
my private affairs by the cuuusel for the prisoner.
Mr. Mew still insisted upon looking ut the counter foils
in the cheque books.
Mr. Bullantine said he thought that before one gentleman
took upon himself to examine the private cheque book of
another gentleman ho ought at least to state what was his
object in doing so.
Mr. Baron Martin said he had already given an opinion
upon the subject of the course of cross-exarnination, told ho
must leave the nutter to the learned counsel's own sense of
propriety and discretion.
Mr. Mew then sat down without asking any further
questions.
The ditfersnt articles were produced by the constable, and
they were all identified by the prosecutor. The telescope,
it appeared, belonged to bee brother, but had been left in
his charge.
The learned counsel for the prisoner then addressed the
jury, and be endeavourtsl to show the probability of the
property in question having been given to the prisoner by
his master.
The learned judge having summed up, the jury expressed
a wish to retire to consider the ease. Upon their return
they gave a verdict of guilty, and the foreman added that
they had at the same time tome to the unanimous resolution
of expressing their extreme disapprobation of the manner
In which the defence had been conducted by the counsel
for the prisoner, and also that they considered such a line of
defence was calculuted to defeat the ends of justice by de-
terring persons front coining forward to give evidence
against servants who had robbed them.
Mr. Baron Martin, in passing sentence upon the
prisoner, said it appeared to hint that he had been
guilty of a very abominable offence. There did not
appear to be the slightest justification for the defence
he had set up, that his rooster had given him the property;
COUNTY COURTS FURTHER EXTENSION.—Tho bill and, indeed, w, ith regard to the telescope, it was very un-
for the further extension of County Courts has been again
amended and printed by order of the House of Lords. As likely that he should have given him such au article as
it now stands it curtains 21 clauses. Considerable alterations that, which could not have been of any use to him ; and in
have been made in the measure since it win; last noticed in the next place, it was not probable Mr. Brettle should have
given away a thing that did not belong to him, but which
the Erprest. With regard to the equity business, it was the property of his brother. It also appeared to him
provides that the Court of Chancery shall have power to send ,
that the prisoner had pwswanal himself of the cheque
accounts and inquiries to judges of the County Courts, and
declares the manner in which amounts shall be taken and books, thinking that he might be able to use them Na
witnesses examined. The Lord Chancellor is to issue rules cd before the marriage of the prosecutor ; and,
of practice, and there is to be a schedule of feet to he I
received on account of the equity business done by this I under all the circumstances, regarding it as a very had case,
means of extortion, by making known matters that bad
judges. Unless the Court of Chancery make an order, no for ten yearn,
equity business will he transacted in the County Courts. I Mr. Mew,
On every County Court summons a notice of conditions is to state
stayed. The salaries of the County Court judges may be
he felt it his duty to order the prisoner to be transported
that .
to appear, on ftdfilment of which the proceedings are to be friend, and in
only acted up
.tet inset th
increased to 1,5001. • year, and the Lord Chancellor is en- for the prisoner
powered to appoint ten additional County Court judges. ,
.
The latter is quite a new clause. questions he '
THE BENGAL ComitAND.—NO suemesor to the instructions.
command held by the hit- Major-General Sir Dudley Hill Mr. Bann'
in the Bengal presidency has yet been selected. the trial that

s.
, addressing his lordship, . :ed tss be allowed
:in this ease he had oul . 41111045 t, for a
in the line of defen . , air:
..,Enketi ills jug
1p to the instructions .1 • • i
byThe spleitai
ner, and if there • .. 4,,) . , ate lisp*
that 1 er,on, and not . 40. , fo‘les 41.thill
had put he had notes ..,'" •4004101bt0
i Martin said that
raltan"tityp-1; .
,t the course which
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..0 ".