The Express.
London, England, 1858-04-26 00:00:00

EXHIBITION OF THE SOCIETY OF PAINTERS

IN WATER COLOURS.

To-day was opened to the public the fifty-fourth
Exhibition of the eider Society of Water-Colour Painters. At
the private view on Saturday we were happy to and the
" old ' Society younger than ever. So mach new blood
bas been infused of late into the body that its re-
juvenescence is complete. Nevertheless, scarcely any so-
glidtica can supply the loss sustained by the Society In the
retirement of their late President, Mr. John Lewis. To the
eneoearive removal by death during the lest few years of
so many distinguished members of this Society we must
submit without a murmur; but it is difficult to reconcile our
salves to the secession of ouch a coneummate master in
water colours even for the promised contingent advantage o
posseming his works in the more enduring medium of oil.
Mr. Lewis ham been claimed by Mr. Ruskin as • pre-
Raphaelite, without, we believe, any desire on the part of
the fanner for the distinction ; but we sincerely trust
that the late President has not been unduly in-
fluenced in hie decision by the exaggerated representations
made by the critic of the great want of durability in the
medium employed in this branch of art.

The recently elected members being landscape minters,
works of this class preponderate in the present Exhibition
even more than formerly. The comparative dearth of figure
subjects of a high aim led us, during our visit, more par-
ticularly, and almost inevitably, to remark that there is
commonly much in the vivacious effect of water-colour
drawings which too readily blends with the mere artificial
fashionable tone, the feverish excitement, and the elbowing
anxiety to see "all the new pictures," so characteristic of all
private views, bat particularly of that In the small crowded
room of this society. Too few of them works, however
taking at Ant eight, tempt long examination or inyiM re-
newed visits by any depth of feeling or sentiment which
they awaken, the train of reflection to which they give
rise, or even the clam observation of nature they display.
No more convincing evidence of their general roper-
fidelity can be afforded than the confident, though
ludicrously contradictory criticisms which each visitor
appears to consider himself justified in passing
aloud and most dogmatically upon the various contributions
under inspection. How amusing the contrast in a gallery of
old pictures There, profound silence is generally preserved,
if not from respect and reverence, from conscious ignorance.
Au excuse may, however, be found not only in the works them-
selves, but in the fact that many of the visitors to these water-
oolourexhibitions are amateur artists themselves, and therefore
more qualified for amateur criticism. Many of the exhibiting
artists might indeed penetrate far deeper into the arcane of
art and not exceed the power of insight of seine of their
patrons. But there is the inexorable necessity of painting
and purchasing for the drawing-room, as we were forcibly
reminded by the description of works which were on Satur-
day soonest garnished with the little blue tickets with the
emphatic announcement t' Sold."
Two or three well-known contributors of noticeable works
to past exhibitions—including Messrs. Burton, of Munich,
.

end J.D.Harding—were either absent altogether, or so ineds--v
trashily represented that we did not observe anything by them
la this year's gathering. Mr. J. Gilbert also has only a com-
paratively unimportant drawing.
Amongst the distinguished company aseerabkd to Inspeet
this collection at the privets view on Saturday we noticed
the Duchess of Sutherland, the Doke and Duchess of North-
umberland, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Earl and
Counter Grey, Marchioness of Ailesbury, the Right Hon.
Sir Charles and Lady Mary Wood, the Right Hon. Sir G. C.
Lewis and Lady Theresa Lewis, their Excellencies the Ame-
rican and Belgian Ministers, Lord and Lady Lyndhurst, the
Bishops of Oxford, Lichfield, and Winchester, the Dean of
St. Paul's and the Provost of Eton, the Master of Downing,
the Earl of Lovelace, Lord Broughton, Lord and Lady
St. Leonerda, Lord and Lady Mouton's, Lord and Lady
Helper, the Hon. Mr. Seymour Bathurst and Mrs. Bathurst,
Lady Elizabeth Butted, Miss Nightingale, the Hon. R. W.
Clive end Lady Mary Windsor Clive, Lord Colvfile, Colonel
the Hon. Augustus Liddell, the Earl of Hardwicke, Lady
Frederick Bentinck, Richard Matins, Esq., M.P., Lieut.-
Colonel Waldo-Sibthorpe, M.P., 410.

THE " EARLY DAYS OF THE PRINCESS ROYAL,"
BT BIR E. LANDREER.-A very charming picture, re-
presenting the Infantlne, or so-called " Early Days
of the Princess Royal," and affording a favourable example
of Sir Edwin in his "best days," is now to be seen at
the " German Gallery," New Bond-street. The infant
princess is represented lying with outstretched arms and
crowing with delight is its own rich and royal cot, a dove
perched on the side peering ioloiringly at the nestling in-
nocence, and • favourite and privileged greyhound fondly
poking its long nose between the warm little feet. Tbs picture
has been entrusted to Messrs. Day and Son for the purpose
of being reproduced in chrome-lithography ; and the sixty-
four progressive stages of its reproduction may already be
seen on the walls of the gallery.
CHURCH'S PICTURE OF THE GREAT FALL,
NIAOMIA.-111. noble picture, by an American artist,
which was exhibited publicly last season, may also 'gels be
seen at the German Gallery. It is in the highest degree
deserving a visit ; and we recommend those of our realms
who have not seen it to lose no time in doing so, for we
understand the picture will leave England on May 10. So
See a work affords • very gratifying earnest that our Tram-
etiolate brethren intend to carry out the "go-ahead " prin-
ciple In art, as they have already in commerce and war, and
as they are beginning to do in literature.

BALE or PICTUREII.—An interesting collection of
cabinet pictures by some of the moot db tingoished artists of
the modern Finch school will take plane at Phillips's atm-
don rooms, New Bond-street, to-morrow.

The Society of Antiquaries ho' elected Earl
Stanhope president for the ensuing year. Joreph Hunter,
Esq., C. Octavio' Morgan, Esq., H.P., John Brow, Req.,
Frederick (luny, Paq., Augustus W. Franke, Esq., M.A.,
Lord Aveland, Arthur Aabpitel, Eq., Robert Lemon, Req.,
Sir Walter C. Trevelyen, Bart., and William Wanasy, Req.,
eleven members from the old council, have been re-chosen of
the new council; and Sir John P. Boileau, Bart., James
Whatman, Req., M.P., Frederick William Fairholt,
Earl Jermyn, M.P., John Winter Jones, Esq., Rev.
Charles Kingsley, Henry Reeve, EN., William Smith,
Hag., Willhm Tite, Rq., M.P., and John R. D. Tyree,
Esq., ten of the other members of the society, ere sieve
of the new council; John Tongs Alterman, Req., is re-
elected eeeretary.
SOCIETY Or ARTS CONVERSAZIONE.--The first
conversations of the session took plaoe at the society's hews
In the Adelphi on Saturday evening, on which wombs the
invitations were unusually limited. This, however, Induced
a larger attendance of members and invited guests. La the
large room were arranged an historical mita of sketches,
diagrams, and waking models, nutritive of modes of uterine
prosion ; the ernes commencing with an inflated akin,
copied from the Nineveh marbles, and ending with the
gearing for the mew shaft of the Leviathan. There wee
also an historical series of working instruments, showing the
program made In electric telegraphs from Cooke and Wheat-
star's fret needle telegraphs, worked by six line wirer,
down to the recording telegraph instruments now used in
Enka& ladle, and the continent. Specimens of sack
variety of entenarine cable hitherto need were aleo exhibited,
as well ar Dew modes of insulating telegraphic wino gore.
rally. In the upper rooms were also amber* 'Farrago la.
tareoliog models. The model room was throws apse herr
display dela' exhibltiou of patented inveiglers, ordiborrogo
exhibitors attended to explain their order and ~Wow.
CRYSTAL PAI.ACI. HALr-ciovnt
BATUkDAT APRIL 24.—Adirthsions on caat, 1,603; ditto
by seism *Ws, 2,11113 ; total *hoes, 4,9976.