The Express.
London, England, 1850-08-02 00:00:00

FINE ARTS.

THE VERNON GALLERY AT PAARLBOROUGH

110 USE.

The pictures which were upwards of two years
since bequeathed to the nation by It. Vernon, Esq.,
have found, if not a final, at least a worthier place of
rest almost immediately opposite the residence in
which they were first carefully collected together.
Marlborough House, whit!' was built by Sir Chris-
topher Wren in 1709, is as remarkably simple in
style as it is solemn in appearance; a aeries of red
brick facings alternate with atone columns and pedi-
ment!, showing more caprice than ordi r in the ground
plan of the edifice. It evicces the partiality of Wren
to the designs of Maus rd and Perrault, with wi.ich,
as he himself tells us, he was bitten during his short
stay in Paris.
Though built to suit the taste of John Churchill,
and, consequently, without the remotest research for
pictorial eftecte, this edifice Herne not ill adapted to
its present purpose, from the quiet which surrounds it,
as well as the satisfactory amount of light through-
out. To the Vernon collection have been added the
productions of English painters which were formerly
in the National Gallery : the latter are, however, ju-
diciously kept apart. The lofty ve-tibule with its
tall columns, its lining of sombre Luca-Gior limos, and
ailing by Gentileschi, remind one of the Blenheim
entrance-hall, though in miniature. Thus, while
Wren was slid to be rivallin Veubrugh he was only
imitating him.
Gibson'e beautiful group occupies the centre of the
hall, and the bus's, which were confined with it in
the Vernon, are ranged along the walls. The next
room, in which are placed -the Hocarthe and the
Rcynoldses, is obscure in spite of the five large win-
dows which open on it. The " Corn Field," by Con-
stable, however, may be said to be here seen for the
first time, so little backward space was there formerly
to view this picture. The room forming the corner
of the northern wing of the building contains the
Wilkie's " Blind Fiddler," &c.

But the southern frost, in which is placed the prin-
cipal portion of the Vernon picturer, is remarkably
cheerful and pleasing ; and the works of Etty, Land-
seer, Uwins, Turner, and Maclise, seem to gain won-
derfully from increase of light, the architectural de-
corations of the rooms, and the light greenground of
' the framework on which they are hung, having:been
ingeniously adapted to the wall ; the windows also
command pretty glimpses of St. James's Park.
Oa the whole, the pictures look much better ;
some seem quite new acquaintances, so high
were they hung previously, and look like new friends,
especially Osinsborough, Constable, and Haghe.
E. Landseer's beautiful "Peace and War," and C. L.
Eastlake's Escape of the Carrara family, are the sole
new additions. It was the intention of the trustees
to throw open this gallery to the public, but the
Woods and Forests have, for the present at least, put
in their veto; and, as the annual vacation comes on
early in September, there seems little likelihood of
the public entering till the latter end of October.
Whether the public will submit to be kept so long
from their own, remains to be seen.

Tile GORHAM CASE.—The Pneeyitee are in a ridi-
culous minority in the church, in spite of the noise they
contrive to make in the world. Ihe Church and State
Gazette says:—" It is believed that the following prelates
have declared their approvsl of the deesion of the Judicial
Committee of Privy Council in the late Gorham cam ;—The
Archbishops of Canterbury, York, and Dublin. The
Bishops of Durham, Peterborough. Ely, Hereford, Lichfield,
Chester, St. Asaph, St. Dsvio' ,s Worcester, Norwich, end
Manchester, as not affecting the doctrine of the church.
The Bishops of Salisbuty, Gloucester. and Ripon have
returned ambiguous replies to the Tractarian addresses.
The Bishop of Bangor dissents from the judg-
ment. The Bishop of Rochester claims for it lemd
respect.' The Bishops of Exeter, Bath, London, and Ox-
ford, are hostile. Tee Bishops of Lincoln, Carlisle, Win-
chester, Chichester, Liandeff, and Soder and Man, are not
yet known to have expressed themselves upon the subjeet.
The two universities of Oxford and Cambridge have each
declined entering into the controversy ; but about one fourth
of the members of Convocation of the first-mentioned have
separately addressed the Arehbiihop of Canterbury against
the decision. This address is signed be two only oat of the
twenty-four heads of colleges and halls, and six professors
only—ell of the Traetanan party, via., Protease(' Piety,
Hussey, Rosy, Earle, Kenyon. and Cooke, and includes
the names of Judge Coleridge and the well-known
Archdeacons Thorp, Wilberforce, and two Scotch bishop.,
who, notwithstanding their secession from the English
church, retain their names en the university register is
members. The University of Cambridge his not moted.
From a summary of the results of the agitation which has
reached us, it would appear that the total number of clerical
dissentients from the judgment throughout England does
not exceed 2,000 out of 15,000 ; and the number of laity
who have come forward is inoiroificant. After the failure of
the lest effort at St. Martin's Hall, which was remarkable
for the absence of Mr. Gladstone, M.P., and others whom
presence or absence on such ocessions is regarded as indica-
tive of the probability of success or the reverse, we may
dismiss the agiaation as something beyond a Denison power
to resuscitate."
PUBLIC DINNZIt TO IL STIPHENSON, ESQ., ill-P.-
0n Tuesday the Mends and admirers of this distinguished
' gentleman gave him splendid banquet at Newcastle, es s
mark of respect for his talents, minute, and unblemished
diameter.
MILITIA.--Atmordieg toe statement issued onWed-
maihndsirgandlillit:hdtfr eivisril-cost74etatsotimLiallit.m:ou,onhfiltuocfebnanr.dlaucir,riusretiti.B"d(rliBlll4s,andie:add
the lowest 31,5011. 0846). The lamed yearly amount of out-
paislons for men has been 43,2181. (1843), and the lowest
61400 f. (184Ie)' The emnewstad fortheselltda dewing the
same period have ranged from 166,6964. in (1843) to 122,8001.
(11145), and the annual expenses have been from £l' .4 •
(1848) to 143,4781. (1843). Two corps war felled • • .
"
the pilled referred to hi aid of the 'MTH po 4"
Dumfries tit 1804, and the But sad West • 't* rim••
1848.9.
•

Txlll firS-DWIIIT or ST. PAVI:s.-84ois delay is
likely to oomr to the filling op this appointment. rendered
vaunt by the death el the Rte. Dr. Srapp. Ti • Dean
ot
Bt. Poore (Dr. Unman). left Landes ler Italy tRV a by
days before the dull of Dr. Raspy, nerd until his rotors se
ormintraest eaa possibly tab,. plate.
PZIFSIWINT.—Bet. lit. Viseent Derehey. to Wonky,
P.C., vaunt by the melgootists et Rev. C.Camerea. Oa the
asanattea of dee Int el Ilitersore, the patios.
IFLCAMOT.—Plestwooil P. VoidLoaoishire velar
*rase.
Bra P. Z. Vieetwarti. penes. by the uomotioa
Si. Vaunt Beeebey.

NAVAL
ADMIRALTY. Ave. I.—ArrOlNVlllllTs.—Midshipmee
David On. to Bestirem; H
Maunder, to Fos. Clerk :
Joh. Berriman, to 76talgar.
DRIVA PORT, ACOVST Omar& emu vessel was
spin takea out for a trial of her eagle's ou Tuesday, when
her speed and qualities were found to bare been improved
by her moat alteratioas.—The Cygnet, 8, Commander '
D Weise, WY towed out cif harbosr on Moaday, inspected,
sad paid advisees of wages. She will sail in the course of •
kw dais, taking the emiathly mail fir the coast of Afries.—
Tlee Fearlem, coast moil, Masteecommuder Alfred
yesterday took the Nepealem ambassadors ead 'site,
aecompanied by Commodare Lord Joha Rey, into the essurd
Tooted the breakwater, sad afterwards op the harbour, pans-
fag dem to the lams* sad the manliest**. d ships, and
ionelsine at the breakwater, where the party larded.
Wootwica, Ave l.—lell.iible st.-eloop, Commander
P. H. Dike, whiter has bees commissioned at this port, left
the harbour last night, mid proceeded to Ormithithe to have
her comics es adjusted. Bur leavis Ormabithe to day f.r
Sheerness, to be psi f in mleauce, and will rhea premed to
her destination on the North Americus station. Priacese
AI ce, Dover St.-packet, was docked yesterday to have her
defects made good.