Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-09-20 00:00:00

fancy uncontrolled

s no indieition of faltering or un-
-- is ready and decided. To look on the

executed. It present

certainty

introducing

the artist at once and vigourou.

ferred to his canvass. Like most of
tures, " The Choice of Hercules" has s

- .
Maclise,'s plc-
ral blemishes

as well as numerous beauties. The drawing is daring
almost to extravagance ; the colour is dingy and repel-
ling, While the monotonsus uniformity and leatheriness
of texture which has been so often charged against Mr.
Maclise, as an artistic misdemeanour, is at once preva-
lent and painful. As a whole, however, the picture
possesses many high attributes of excellence, whose pre-
sence serves, in a great measure, to enhance the regret
that so many good qualities should be marred by °the

obtrusion. of such secondary def
No.-242, " Portrait of the
M.P.," by F. Grant, R.A. Thig Lan unpretridino
a valuable portrait: In the quiet features- and unob:-
trusive_tones of colour which form the chief character-

t Hon. )3, Disraeli

istici -of this not very striking picture, the common
observer would probably not find much to remind
him .of the author, the orator, or the statesman. Let
him look a little more inquiringly, and he will speedily
discover that the likeness is not that of an ordinary
sitter. The calm, thoughtful air, the keen eye, and

firmly
_compressed lip, are all finely indicative of mental
labour and of self-command. The likeness is a truth-
ful and suggestive one, and as such the picture does
much to sustain the exalted reputation of Mr. Grant as
one of the most successful portrait painters of the day.

No. 107, " The Gratitude of the Mother of Mises
for the Safety of her Child," by J. C. Hook, A.R.A.
This is a somewhat ambitious picture, and one which
the artist may be proud of in many
iparticulars. It is
illustrative of that passage in Exoaus which contains
the following narrative : " And the maid went and called
the child's mother., And Pharoah's daught3r said unto
her, Take this child away, and nurse it for me, and I
will give thee thy wages.' And the woman took the
child." The story is well told, the expression of wonder,
thankfulness, and joy depicted in the countenance and
deportment of the scarcely believing mother of the babe
as she finds herself the almost unexpected gaardian of
its future life and safety, are finely rendered, while the
general arrangement of the picture is pleasing and is
harmony with the subject.
Having said so much with respect to the collection in
Post-office Place, pass we now to a similarly brief re-
view of the

EXHIBITION OF THE_ LIVERPOOL SOCIETY OF FINE ARTS

No. 133, " The. Morning after St. Bartholomew," by
J. Hornung, is an.elaborate Ind highly artistic produc-
tion. It represents Catherine De Medicis on the morn-
ing after the Massacre of St. Bartholomew, in 1572,
reviewing at the gate' of the Louvre the bodies of the
victims of that treacherous plot by which they were
sacrificed. It is a. subject difficult in itself, aad to have
achieved only partial success in it. would have re-
flected no discredit on .the capabilities of the artist;
to have been so successful, as he has been, in.the work
under consideration, is therefore an indication that he
possesses merit of a high order. The canvass is filled,
we have nearly said crowded, with figures who offer a
singular and startling contrast to each other. The im-
mediate foreground is occupied by the rigid and ghastly
corpses of men, women, and children, who have fallen
victims to the ruthless and indiscriminate slaughter by
which an unscrupulous and cruel party sought to stay
and extirpate the Reformation. In these pitiable heaps
of slain are to be seen individuals of nearly all ranks in
life and of both sexes, huddled together in undistin-
guished masses. In the centre
of the picture, and
occupying the middle distance, is the tall, commanding,
and somewhat masculine form of Catherine, her counten-
ance mantled with a grim and horrifying smile as she,
with an air of triumph and seeming satisfaction,
n surveys
the sad and repulsive memorials of the "ruin she had
made." Her features are strongly marked by firm
resolve' and vividly reflect the impulses of an unbending
will. She is surrounded by numerous courtiers of both
"xes, who, taking the " Cue " from their relentless mis-
tress, exhibit themselves in occupations yet more revolt-
ing than those of the "she-wolf" herself. Some of
these---delicate and fair ladies, as well as the coarser ;
and, it may. be inferred, brutalised soldiers—are wan-
tonly turning over and showing indignities to the lifeless
and unconscious objects of their contumely. The picture
s full of thought, and it is eminently suggestive of the
lengths to which vindictive cruelty, incited by mistaken
notions of religion, may lead. The drawing and com-
position of this picture are good, atta they display a
ready b.pplication of artistic knowledge, to the treatment

the original. The picture is clever,
and artistic, albeit probably a little opa
hues.

le in its general

MASSACRE IN

AUSTRALIA.

take from the Black Cree

Amherest Acker-

tiser Ole following letter of their. correspondent, under
date Rochampton, May 10 :

party of 200 miners started from Port Curtis on
)specting tour. Having provided thems(

Ives with a

stock of tools and various useful implements, as also an
abundance of provisions and a large quantity of guns and
ammunition, they commenced their march with 169
horses into the interior of the country. They pro-
ceeded about 200 miles without meeting any inter-

ruption, but at this distance from the Pert ihey en-
countered a great number of the natives, who endea-
voured to prevent their travelling any further into

the interio:

journey, k

whites,

continued

each mile they travelled. Arriving at the de;-
spot, they prfieeeded to work, and after pros-

bet sinking, winch paid 1 dwt. to the
dish, from the surface to the bottom. A portion of the
party being dissatisfied, determined on starting out to a
splendid-looking flat about three miles distant from the
encampment. One morning they left, to the number of
thirty, taking with them a sufficient quantity of pro-
visions for the day, and fifty horses. Not returning at

.. ..
night, the main body became alarmed ; but as it would
have been perfectly useless to start in the dark, seeing
that a thick scrub grew between th6ir encampment
the spot the prospectors had gon
mined on waiting until t

peep of the day the whole party set out, and succeeded
in penetrating through the scrub. Arriving at the spot,
atorrible sight met their gaze. There lay the mangled
bodiei of their companions, having been killed the pre-
vious day by the natives. The black rascals, seeing the
arrival of the remainder of the whites, came down from
the hills, and made a most determined attack. A
furious battle was the consequence. The whites,
finding the natives increase in numbers, determined
on retreating, but the scrub behind presented an im-
penetrable barrier when exposed to such a murderous
attack. However, to remain was to die ; they therefore
decided on making the attempt. Discharging their guns,
they made a desperate rush in the direction of the scrub,
but were met by another band of the natives, who
had advanced from an opposite direction to the
assistance of their comrades. savage fight ensued,
whites and blacks falling like sheep in a slaughter-yard.
This could not last long. The whites had the upper
hand, and emboldened by their, success, charged the
tribe between them and the scrub, and succeeded in
driving the murderous villains before them. The whites
then passed the scrub, and escaped for a time from the
natives. In this meMe they lost fifty of their men. The
fifty-nine horses had been appropriated the day before,
The blacks not following, they decided on resting that
day, and commencing their march to Port Curtis the fol-
lowing day. The next day arrived, but during the night'
a new and more terrible enemy had sprung up. Dis-
ease, with his giant strides, had appeared among them.
Several were attacked with yellow fever, and so sudden
and virulent, that. to move was impossible. Those in
good health determined to move to an encampment, to
prevent contagion from spreading abroad, and there
to remain until their companions either recovered
or died. Is a few days nine out of seventeen attacked
died, the others recovered. After burying their unfor-
tunate friends, the remainder, saddened by disapoint-
ment, worn out with fatigue brought on by constant
watching, bade a final adieu to the last resting place of
their brave brothers in misfortune, whom the hand of
disease and rapine had brought to an untimely grave,
and set out on the journey back. They journeyed
twenty miles without meeting any interruption, but
there the natives reappeared and commenced a series of
guerilla attacks, which lasted with little intermissisn
until they reached a spot about equidistant from the
port. Here they appeared in almost overwhelming
numbers, but whether they ' had stepped beyond their
mortal ken,' or that they were tired of following, or per-
haps (which is not likely) had some feeling akin to pity
for the unfortunate men they had so cruelly harassed,
they disappeared, and the party succeeded in reaching
Port Curtis in safety."

HOUSEICEEPERS.—The Coffee sold by Thompson
Brothers, 5, Elliott-street, at ls. 4d., is better than you
pay Is. Bd. for at any other establishment.

CRICKETS, ANTS, COCKROACHES, OR BLACK BEETLES.—Their
effectual extermination by Greer's Patent Anti-Vermin Solution,
3d., 6d., and is., at the Anti-Vermin Office, 49, Brownlow-hill.
RATS, MICE, AND COCKROACHES.—Their extinction in one
night, or a few hours, by Greer's Patent Anti-Vermin Mixture,
2d., 3d., 6d., and is., at the Anti-Vermin Office, 49, Brownlow-

THE BED-11170 AND FLEA.—Their immediate extirpation by
areer's Patent Anti-Vermin Lotion, 3d., 6d., and Is., at the
Anti-Vermin Office, 49, Brownlow-hill.

Mors IN Fvas, AND FLEAS ON Doos.—Their prevention and
cure, by Greer's Patent Anti-Vermin Lotion (Camphorated),
3d., 6d. and Is., at the Anti-Vermin Office, 49, Browalow-hill.

To MOTHERS AND NURSES.—TO supersede .the tardy use of
the fine tooth comb in the nursery, and to cleanse the hair and
skin, preventing animalcule;, obtain Greer's Patent Anti-Vermin
Lotion (perfumed), 3d., 6c1., and Is., at the Anti-Vermin Office,
49, Brownlow-hill.
- - -

INSECTS ON TREES,
effectually destroyed, and futt
Anti-Vermin Lotion, ss. per g
with six gallons of water),
Brownlow-hill.

SHRUBS, AND PLANTS.—lnstantly and
ented, by Greer's Patent
fficiently strong di.uted
inti-Vermin Office, 49,

aplainant, and tried to come to some arrange

vance.—Mr. Bluck, on behalf
ss. per week, but this was ob-

jetted to. Ultimately the case was adjourned to give
the parties an opportunity to come to some amicable
arrangement.

~ -t--

SIR JAMES B
Brooke, who is
Tavist(

It appears that
_S

r James

Burrator Meavy, near
mplates another visit to Sarawak. At
dinner of the Norwich " Valpeian
of which Sir James was the founder, a letter was

the n
Club,'
read f

antivers

ad the following extract from this c

munication will be read with interest :—" I am e.tab-
lished on my small property, and my house when in
order will be very snug. I was resolutely bent on
taking that step, feeling it was the only way to
disconnect myself front Sarawak, and thus to save my
life, and set up my staff beyond the petty cares which
society imposes. I have chosen a spot in the church-
yard here, where I shall repose-; or if death overtake
All—l shall rest among my
rtunate one, for retirement

le across the water,

such as this, t

riends, a coin

)etencE

;ht to Make me 12ppy

I can, I be

lieu e, fairly say that no
existence ; State borioi

;appointed ambition will 'poison

ever held.to be of small account. -There are nobler and
more substantial things to strive for, but for these my
day is past. I leave the people ff. Sarawak free and
happy, and I shall return to tell them without fear and
without favour how to preserve those blessings."
CUSTOMS' DUTIES.— I return for the year ending the
31st of F I

December ..ast, snows that the duties collectec
were—for England, £19,619,346; Scotland, £2,264,816
and for Ireland, £2,265,053. The officers' salaries am

day pay are

given £667,191, and other out;

£150,001. The -amount collected in London - was
£12,332,061 ; Bristol, £1;295,559 ; Folkestone.
£136,684; Hull, £282,387; Liverpool £3,622,503
125,773 ; Newcastle,

Manchester

4262,867

mouth, £228,372 ; Southampton, £112,969 ; Sunder;
laud, £101,160 ; Glasgow, £801,895 ; Greenock,
£654,694'. Leith, £479,622 ; Belfast, £383,089 ; Cork,
£275,724 ; Dublin, £1,018,226 ; Limerick, £172,822 ;
Londonderry, £118,243 ; and Waterford, £95,914.
There were directly imported to, and warehoused in,
London during the same period 68,069,458 lb. of tea,
4,997,150 cwt. of sugar, 54,554,7861 b. of coffee,
4,439,907 gallons of wines, 6,779,472 gallons of spirits,
and 30,113,8131 b. of tobacco; while for Liverpool the
uantities were 5,321,2961 b. of tea, 1,615,372 cwt. of
sugar, 5,131,7541 b. of coffee, 316,443 gallons of wine,
1,843,837 gallons of spirits, and 27,374,6871 b. of tobacco.
Glasgow directly imported and warehoused 764,7891 b. of
tea, 38,715 cwt. of sugar, 202,8871 b. of coffee, 115,919
gallons of wines, 88,141 gallons spirits, and 959,6931 b.
of tobacco ; and Dublin 414,7461 b. of tea, 248,314 cwt.
of sugar, 231,479 gßllons of wines, 23,769 gallons of
spirits, and 702,8374 b. of tobacco.

_
THE ADDITIONAL INCOME-TAX.—The sums to be
collected' in October next will be, first, half-a-year of
the former tax, and the new tax, .4d., viz., 61d.
in the pound on the whole year's rating. Consequently
the deductions to be made by those who pay rents, in-
terest, and such like, will be—From a half-year's or a
quarter's rent, &c., sd. in the pound on the half-year's
or quarter's rent, and 4d. in the pound on a whole year's
rent ; from a year's rent, 9d. in the pound. For instance:
Suppose your rental to be £lOO a-year. You will be
called upon for 100 fourpences and for 50 fivepences, or
£2 14s. Bd., and this you will deduct from your next
payment of half-year's rent. But if you have already
paid a quarter's rent,. and deducted the sd. income-tax,
and have but a quarter's rent to 'pay to your landlord,
then you will deduct 100 fourpences and 25 fivepences,
or £2 3s. 9d. Stated in a tabular form, the deduction
per pound to be made for the sum thus paid as rent, in-
terests, or dividends, will be :—From one year's rent,
interest or dividends, 9d. in the pound; from half-a-year's
ditto, ls. Id. ; from .a quarter's ditto, Is. 9d.—Law Times.
THE GIBRALTAR CABLE.—A contract has been
made with the Gutta Percha Company, on behalf of
government, for a cable to be laid from Falmouth to
Gibraltar, 1200 miles, which is to be ready in June
next. This will be succeeded by one from Gibraltar to
Malta and Alexandria, thus giving an independent line,
free from continental difficulties.—Chinese Telegruph.
INCREASE OF WAGES TO MECHANICS AT BLACK-
BURN.—The mechanics and machine-makers employed
at Blackburn during last week, applied for an advance
of 2s. per week, and the advance was at once conceded.
THE HERRING FISHERIES.—COIIteMpOraIIeOUS with
the announcement that the fishery off the Scottish coasts
has been much more successful of late, the boats hav-
ing succeeded in securing near Flambro' Head and
thereabouts more herrings than previously. The quality
has certainly not been very good, but it has improved
within the past week or two, and the herrings now
landing are in a satisfactory condition. The herrings
last week were mostly shotten, and were sold at from
£5 to £7 per last, while those of a superior description
realised £2O to £25 per last. On Tuesday one boat came
in with three lasts, and another with seven; and on
Wednesday other boats came in with an average take of
fish of a superior quality.
A SERIOUS AFFRAY WITH POACHERS.—EarIy on
Saturday morning, the keepers of Captain Welfitt, of
Lang-with-Lodge, near Mansfield, three in number, fell
in with a party of eleven poachers. The keepers in en-
deavouring to capture the men were most brutally
boulder
assailed, and two of them received most serious injury.
severely cut,
Ultimately five of the poachers were captured and taken
keeper to Mansfield lock-up. One of the keepers had his head
other
blowfawvoitttrhabaly.
receivedbut he i saThe
progressingviolent

stone under his jaw