The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-01-15 00:00:00

FINE ARTS

Yesterday was the day appointed for the Artists to deposit
their paintings at the institution for the Promotion of the
Fine Arts in the United Kingdom. The directors have this
year called forth the talents of artists in the marine de-
partment, to produce paintings toeominemorate the Baffle,
of the Nile and Trafalgar, with a premium of 2001. for the
test, and 1001. for the next best of each subject, and the
fortunate candidate is to have a commission to paint
pictures on these subjects, on a large scale, to be presented
to Greenwich Hospital. We have been favoured with a
view of those painted by Mr. Serres as a candidate for the
premium proposed. This marine artist has painted two of
the Nile; the first, the cominencement of the action, at
sunset, in which every ship appears in her station, and
may be considered an accurate representation of it, atal
will, probably, from its minuteness, be the Mott acceptable
to naval men, who will be best able, from their professional
skill, to appreciate its excellence in that respect; tons lands-
own, who have tto such association, thesubject is not so pic-
turesque as the second, which gives the French Commander-
in-Chief's ship, L'Orient, at the moment of explosion, an
effect which is very imposing. The Artist has succeeded in
giving a most spirited delineation of this decisive period of
the battle, and he has not allowed his attempt to give
effect to this splendid achievement to interfere with the
fidelity of the representation. The French fleet is seen at
anchor, and the majestic Bellerophon, Swiftaure, Leander,
and Minotaur ; and, to complete the composition, the
boat which the ortal Nelson despatched to save as
many of the crew of L'Orient as could be picked up.
The third picture is the conclusion of the battle of
Trafalgar. Mr. Serres has so arranged his composi-
tion as to combine all the principal incidents of that
memorable day. He has introduced the Victory with
Lord Nelson's flag still flying at the foretop, and the
signal for close action at the maintop gallant-mast.
Leviathan appears, and on her larboard bow the San-
tissitna Trinidada lying a log on the water, without
even a stump of a mast standing. On the opposite side of
the picture another group is formed of the Royal Sove-
reign, Admiral Collingwood, with only her foremast
standing, bearing his victorious flag, with the Santa
Anna, that he had captured, close on board, on his lar-
board bow, totally disinasted. The intermediate space is
occupied by the 'l'emeraire, with a French ship on each
side, that boarded her at the same time. The Earl of
Northesk, in the Britannia, on the second ground, takes
the lead, engaging a French ship. Rear-Admiral Du-
manvir, and Admiral Gravina are seen in the distance,
making their escape with several ships. The scene claws
with the Achilles taking fire.
We sere about to expatiate in detail on the display of
talent which these pictures exhibit; but when we recol-
lect that a judgment is to be passed upon them when coin-
pared with the performance of other candidates, we feel
bound, in candoui and fairness, to leave them to make
their own impression, and to abstain from all further
remark.

WINDSOR, FRIDAY, Jew. 14.

Yesterday the Duchess of Gloucester paid a visit to her
Royal Sister, the Princess Augusta, at Frogmore: the
Royal Duchess returned to her residence at Bagshot in the
afranoon to dinner.

The Princess Augusta,attentled by her Lady in waiting,
took an airing in her carriage and four un Tuesday, and
honoured the Earl and Countess of Harcourt, at St. Leo-
nard's Hill, with a visit. Her Royal Highness also visited
the Duchess of Gloucester at Ragsbot.
The different improvements and alterations are proceed.
ing at the Castle with great 4iripatcb.

The Princess Sophia went to visit the King yestettlay.
Her Grace the Oneliess of Richmond, affinity beautiful
daughters, the Ladies Lennox, left Morrison's Hotel on
Monday, for Howth, to embark for England.—Dub/in
Puper.
Earl Bathurst and Mr. Wilmot Horton transacted busi-
ness yesterday morning at the Colonial Office.
Dovist, JAW. 13.--Came in the Spitfire packet, from
Calais, bringing the Right Hon. the Earl of Harrowby
and suite, who, after taking refreshment at Wright's, set
oft' for London. Sailed his Majesty's steam packet the
Fury, with the mail and passengers to Calais. Sailed the
Monarch steam vessel with passengers, for Boulogne.
The Lord Mayor yesterday received twenty guineas from
the Mayor and Corporation of Portsmouth, in aid of the
fund for the Spanish and Italian refugees; an example
which, it is to be presumed, will be followed by other Cor-
porations.
15'0 are authorised to state that Sir James Mackintosh
has accepted of an offer of a public dinner, in Glasgow, in
the month of April next, when he comes here with Mr.
Brougham : and that therefore the anniversary Fox Din-
ner will this year be postponed.—Glasgow Chronicle.
ADCLP/II TIIC•TIII..—The entertainments now per-
forming at this successful little theatre have obtained
much popularity. Every evening there is a full house to
witness the broad sketch of the miseries consequent upon
The Life Van Actor, and the excellent scenery and high
humour of Mother Red Cup, or Harlequin and the Fairies
of ge Nose. Both pieces are very entertaining.
By the death of C. M. Cheere, Esq., a vacancy has oc-
curred in the representation of this borough. We have
authority to state Marquis Graham intends offering himself
as a candidate ; and it is also mentioned that Gco. Pryme,
Esq., will again come forward. The day of election is not
yet fixed. We are informed that it is upwards of half a
century since a vacancy has been occasioned by the death
of a Member for the town.—Curithridge Chronicle.
POLITICAL Rumotias.—We have been favoured with
the view of a letter from a Noble Lord of ancient family,
and high political character, slated London, January 7th,
in which the writer states, that he has been informed from
the most authentic quarter, that it is the determination of
his Majesty's Ministers to introduce the measure of Catholic
Emancipation, with some restrictions, Immediately on the
opening of Parliament, whether the Catholics petition or
not—and that by this course it is expected his Majesty's
Ministers will not be harassed by the very numerous peti-
tions which the Catholic Association has intimated its in-
tention of submitting to the Honourable House. It is
further intimated, that the 40s. freeholders are to be en-
tirely done away with.—Dublin Freeman's Journal.
The city of Waterford Committee for furthering the
plans of Mr. Cropper, have resolved upon forming a Joint
Stock Company, with a capital of 10,000/. to be raised in
shares of So/. each. .

It is said that an extensive forgery, in Falconnet's
Neapolitan Bonds, has been discovered at Brussels, and
that the party is arrested.
We understand that, although the prospectus for the
Caledonian Dairy Company was only once advertised, in
OUT paper of Thursday last, upwards of 33,0001. of the
capital has been already subscribed for ; and that there is
no doubt of the whole being filled up in a day or two, and
the establishment soon coinmenced.—Edinburgh Paper.
We are authorised to contradict the paragraph which we
copied from an Edinburgh Paper on Monday last, stating
that Major Laing was about to proceed with two secre-
taries, 16 men, &c. to explore the Niger.
Sir John Rae Reid, son of our late excellent townsman,
Sir Thomas Reid, Bart. remitted last week, through Win.
Key, Esq. to Provost Thompson, the very handsome sum
of 1501. sterling, to be divided equally between the Kirk
Sessions, and our two principal charities—the Dumfries
Hospital, and the Dumfries and Gallaway Royal Infir-
mary. An instance of such munificence is of rare occur-
rence, and we trust the generons donor, who appears to
have caught the mantle of his father's virtues, will long
be spared as* an honour to satiety.—Dumfries and Gallo-
way Courier.
Among the Bath arrivals of the week is the once cele-
brated " Carraboo, Princess of Javan!"
A diligence was stopped by highwaymen, a few days
ago, in the vicinity of 'I illiers-sur-Avre, and the passen-
gers robbed. The police are in pursuit of the robbers.
Drowned, about thirty miles off this port, Mr. John
Stephenson Ea►t, son of Mr. Josiah East of this city, Mate
of the ship Neptune, on her voyage from the Wtat Indies
to Liverpool. During a heavy gale Mr. East was struck
from the top-sail yard-arm into the sea, and drowned.
He hail served his time in Mr. Pope's employ of this city,
and was universally esteemed by all who knew him.—
' Waterfird Mirrvt.