The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1819-02-01 00:00:00

BRITISH INSTITUTION.

The o.lllery of the British Institution was thrown
ripen on Sownlay to the Patrons of the Fine Arts,
preporatore to the public Exhibition this day of the
works of British Artists. _ _

It would be a impeifinons task to dwell on the
great value of this admirable lostitution—each suc-
cessive Exhibition deselopes its utility. The re-
gular ionirovement of the young Artist, from the
menus furnished by this Institution, is itttended by
ft proportionate increase of public ontrotiege to the
Art itself, mid in that rank in society, from which
eithstaintial encouragement must in a great degree
ematiate, a want of acquaintance with a rising
Artist, or an ignorance of his works, would ill the
present day be considered as a defect in taste and
education, not to he uottopemiated for by a pro.
ficieney in all the lighter qualifications, which were
once considered supreme tis fashionable life.
The present Exhibition contents, as usual.
works in different degrees of merit; there is is great
variety of subject, and on the whole we think it
the most favourable display of the rising talent of
our Artists, which we have had yet the pleasure of
iteeiug. The Gallery contains two bombed and
sixty-five pictures, and eleven models, or works in
sculpture.
At a first. and rather a hasty glance, we must
control ourselvev with taking, in the Artist's phrase,
" A bird's-eye view" of the Exhibition, and shall
reserve for a future occasion the details winch we
think entitled to particular notice.
The first Picture which arrested our observation, from its
place iu the Gallery was—
Moser receiving the Tables of the Laurs—By W.
BitoexeDON.
This Picture is certainly a great improvement on the pre-
vious efforts of this Artist ; but it waists a great deal to con-
vey any thing like no adequate representattim of the eveut
recorded in the Mk and 21st chapters of Exodus. The
figure wf Muses is no doubt full of energy ; but it work Hs
as bordering strongly upon extravagance 111 gesture and mils.
cuter effort—it has no expressuoi of that deep piety with
which we must 'oppose Moses was imbued, on receiving
the Tables, after communing with his Divine Master, and
being invested will, his sacred trust. Some parts of the co-
louring of the Picture are well contrived for producing ef.
feet, and it is, we have already said, an improvement un
the Artist's style of general execution.
Triumph of Britannia—Pete Champetre.—By T.
STOTHARD, R.A.
The first Picture is an allegory, representing the Triumph
of Britannia, and the expulsion of Discord by the arts of
Peace. It is beautifully colourkel throughout; but we
thought some of the Goddesses invested wits rather 100 sub•
stamen, limbs fur their other—they seemed rather, in the
language of the Poet—
fe earthly form with heavenly face."
But the Fete Champette is a beautiful Picture in every re-
spect. The colouring is exquisite, and the figures full of
life, grace, and activity. They seem to express. in the lan-
guage of the pencil, the lines in GRAY'S Pindaric Ode—.
" With antic sports, sod blne-ey'd pleasures.
frisking light in frolic measures;
Now pursuing, now retreating,
Now in circling troops they meet,
To brisk notes, in cadence beating,
Glance their many-twinkling feet."
Departure of the Diligence from Rowen.—By W. COLLINS,
A. R. A.
This Picture is an excellent and humorous representation
of die bustle around a French Diligence on the point of
starting. The colouring is in • masterly style, and pro-
duces a peculiar and very beautiful effect.
China Menders.—By D. WILKIE, R.A.
This is a representation of a travelliug tinker, who is
seated in front of a cottage door, employed in meridian a
china bowl. The old womsa at the door watches him with
un common anxiety statism tl.e operation upon the family
property, and seems to manifest her uneasiness during the pe-
rilous powers, by holding fast between her fingers twit other
small articles, which are evidently to abide the success of
the first experiment ; while the tinker's wife, who is seated
by his side, appears, by her careless smile at the anxiety of
the other, to repress the conlhlenre she feels in her hus-
band's skill. The dog resting against the nisn's arm while
he is at work, and the child Weep is die ha het oil the don-
key's back, complete the family picture. It is impossible
for Mr. lA'sutte to fail in his delineation of domestic cha-
racter : his descriptions of emotion bream unequalled, and
his execution is generally perfect and appropriate. But we
do not think, that, in ',Mut of execution, this is the Artist's
happiest elfort ; his Picture is full of light, 81141 in this re-
spect seems to have almost as little gradation of aerial tone
GI is perceptible in a Chinese painting. If the tone of the
back ground had bees subdued, the light in the fore ground
would have produced excellent effect ; as it is, the glare in-
jures the effect which the fine display of character and good
drawing would otherwise present.
Bee'S Head, a Study.—By W . DAVISON.
The head is really very fine, and in the style of Mr. JACK.
SON.
Jaranese, a snisked Stouts—By S. WM.
This Portrait is well coloured, sod has a very strong ex-
press of the character which it was the Artist's aim to
pun: tray.
View Os the niter Yore, Afientoon.—By GEORGE
VINCENT.

A very beautiful and diversified landscape, in which the
Artist has developed a progressive improvement in his style
and execution.

Anne Page and Slender—By C. R. LESLIE.
The sashimi in from the third lime in the first Act of
The Merry Wires of Windsor, where Anne invites Slender
to his dinner The colouring, which is excellent, is one of
the smallest merits of this Picture. The expression of arch-
ness amyl rich comic character it pcisesses, is in foil unison
with the Poet's idea, and the spirit tu the execution does
infinite coedit to the Artist.
Ilya with the Satyrs.—By W. HILTON, A.H.A.
We hardly remember to have seen by a modern Artist
any pidgert see beautifully handled as the description of the
story of L'na in Spencer's Fairy Queen, is by Mr. Hiutorr,
iu this Picture. There is a warmth in die eolouriug, and a
poetical late iu the manner of handling the subject, which
is i.e the highest degree creditable to the Artist's taste and
talents. This Picture was at the last Royal Academy tidal.
bitiou.
The Fall of Bahplon.—By J. i►t.nun.
This is a very extraurdiaary Picture, and, like the celebra-
ted one of Joshua, by the saint Artist, is remarkable fur an
attempt (so many parts sneco ssful) So unite all that is grand
tool 1,10.111 MC iii the composition of a Picture, with iiteraVEll-
- the must minute and elaborate details. In the lat-
ter volt, the Artist has been eminently successful—it is
actimiehing to see the precision with which be has marked
Cell !hi. stillest objects In the inuunieraide gruupes of which
his Por are is composed, mid this is attained not by au obtru-
sion of laboured minuteness, on the contrary, the appear-
ance of act is concealed, mod there is every where an tins
common freedom of execution. In the deliseatiou of the
sublimer parts of the historic record, we do not think the
Artirt loa. been so rarely successful as he was in ill! for-
mer Pi•lsire.• There is 1101 lilt same desolating appearance
throooghisitt She H rrrrrr as described ii Isaiah, nor de wa
'hook the same awful effect iv produced. But the adopting
e more coved, and we think more beautiful than the Lost,
anal the architectural parts of the Picture are exceuted with
' the greatest twie and accuracy. We do nut think the Artist
h.s left she :rick ground eel time Picture a. finished as Ise
ns-
buds it to he. The tower dues not look by any means tea
finished as the other vilifiers. %lien from its local appear-
:Slier r should have expected ahe utmost prang would have
I bleu takes to make its appearance that ut a perfect tame.

(71. k conlipred)

MR. HAYIWN'S PUPILS.

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At a Meerinir of Agriculturists, held at the Rea
Lion, Hereford, on Friday aetiroickt, it was union-
mous!). rewlvett to puirliart the Petition to P«rlia-
luu►eut fur the Micro!. Agriculture.

BRIGIITO.V, .TANuAnv 29.

tore. The flomposilion of the Picture is evidently the wank
a on ordinary 'pilot, and the defects are thode *lllOl 111110
sail experience will infallibly correct.
Flower Girl.—Rr IV. Rose The Prince Regent took exerc ire on borreliaek
both on Thursday and Yesterday. On the farmer
This is a simple and pleasing Picture. The fignre is mill
and grae-fol, tool the back-ground coloured its a firm and illy be was ir eothpisiiiell by Sir E. Nagle, rind on
agreeable manner the Wier by the slim, worthy Ilaronet and the Rey.
Mr. E. H. Belittles Cepa tri.ornied is a beautiful pro• F. W. II" Roy.' I homes.. in rich
duction. instance, pin-Ailed his umor.l title, on the %Vest
1 Cliff. He looks(' extremely well, and was in gond
spirits. Not a whisker is heard nl t hislilnSal
IHighness's departure. The hope is sang • ly ens
tenanted, that we shall lie honoured with Ilia pre.
score uuUi, rat hail, the I Orr riot next month.
The private view of the Drawings from the Cartoons end Her Royal Highures the Diecliti•sof Gloucester
Elan, Madden, by Mr. HAYDON'S Pupils, took place at
is expected sit the Pavillon this day.
Pshilation Haan, in St. James'is-street on Satin day last
preparatory to the pubhr Exhibition this day.' Thrie was i The Audi iloadorit of France, Spain, Portugal,
a natneiotis attendance of personages of the fist rank. • and the Nelln-iininh-, orrived at the commencement
The following ire the Drawings :•••-• I of the week, and are still among the distinguished
A Studs is Chalk, from Ise Cartoon of Paul strata, auebt% sat the Pavilion.
Etyma, blind.—Ry WILLIAM DEWIER.
Studies.from Ike Pater, aid the cares and Prnserphie 01 I.
Lunt"l"l t I)"l'ess of U"Ael.
the Elgia Marbles, two grouper of the areal F;vqres that Marquis of Salisbury, Earl of Amon. bird
mere in the Pediment of Ike Parthenon.—By
Stewart, and 1.^r,1 R. S,l „are among the
Artist. ! departures of ti... present week.
The Cartnon of Ike Ilsautifal Gate. a Study in Chalk.—
By
THOMAS d an_ _ C HANLE/ LANDO li.
Study from the Cartoon of Paul preaching at Athens.—
By C. LANDS/ AR.
Study from the Cartoon of the Boals.—By T. LA SI OS r.r R.
Mr. WILLIAM REMICK has also a Copy an Ilk 0100011
fe eke D.livery of Ike Keys, and there ire several small
sketches of Heads, lac by the Artiste already mentioned.
We had already seen and admired the principal Drawings
in this collection, at the private view of the Copies after the
last Exhibition at the British Institution. They were then,
as we remarked at the time, riot only iu an unfinished state,
but exposed (necessarily so from the unavoidable arrange-
ments in the Gallery) to an immediate comparison with the
great originals of ltarnalL. They are now. particularly
the copy from the Beautiful Gate, in a finished state, and
as the rye cannot disectly pass from the copy to the
the Artists have a fair opportunity of heing judged upon
their men merits, and not by a comparison to which it
would he unfair and invi.l to expose throw
Perhaps in the whole range of Art, there are no works
less likely to attract papul ir attention io an Exhibition•
room, than the Cartoon, of RAPHAEL. They have so su-
perficial amid alluring beauties; it has been often and kitty
observed, that their excellence is not on the surface, but
lies deep, and can only be snakiest!, appreciated by those
who with a highly-estimated taste have examined them with
great labour mid attention, and them only can such prelims
be struck with the invention, expression, energy, and grace,
which the great Artist developed in his grouping in these
extraordinary writhe It is a remarkable fact that in the
first visits to Italy of our most distinguished Artists, the
great work. of RAPHAEL in the Vatican failed to make soy
striking impression upon their minds. Sir JORFIVA REY-
NOLDS passed through the rooms, and confessed bis (thaw
ponitment with the most mortifying humdiatian. His 'ra-
tioning on that occasion is curious and interesting, and gave
early promise of that candour and enlarged intellect which
he subsequently developed in his active and eminently use-
ful life. He did not, he said, for a moment conceive that
the name of RsrusaL, and those admirable paintings, in
particular, owed their reputatiou to the ignorance and pre-
judice of mankind; on the contrary, that his not relishing
them, as be was conscious he ought to have done, was a
proof of his ignorance of the principles upon which they
were executed. He proceeded with ca.e and attention to
study the works, and 10011 found a new taste and new pee
ceptions dawn upon him, and he then acknowledged that he
felt the greatness of the original. The present venerable
President of the Royal Academy has put on record, that
when be first visited the Vatican these works did 110 i parti-
cularly interest him, our was it until he bad often visited
them alone, and studied them by himself, that he could
appreciate the fulness of their excellence.
From the character of the originals, some idea may be
formed, even by the general observer,of the arduous task
which Mr. Haarriorr's Pupils had to perform when they at.
tempted to make copies from such works. That they have
in a great degree succeeded, must be evident to any person
who will attentively examine the copies in this Exhibition,
sod we earnestly hope with Mr HAYDON, that the feeling,
delicacy, and power, which the young Artists have displayed
in their copies, " will not cud with their Chalk Drawings,
but be visible in their first original productions." Whilst we
cordially concur in this hope, we eanuut join in the unsafe
and dangerous compliments which have been injudiciously
poured upon those Artists, some of whom we have heard are
very young Inc.. Much as we admire the acenracy and ge-
neral correctness of their Drawings, and the strung feeling
of the original which they in many parts poureray, wreath
nut yet tell them that they have copied with a kindred feel-
ing "the intellectual dignity, the moral beauty, all those
noble graces of expression, which have justly conferred on
lIAVVAELLC the epithet of ' divine,' and with* power ores.
• cation worthy of men who fully appreciate the excellencies
of their grand archetype." This euthusiastic praise is
timed, when applied to persons who have oily completed
their preparatory studies—its effect can unly be to excite
those sanguine expectations which are proverbially disap-
pointed, and which prevent that fair and considerate indul-
gence to early efforts, that is so well calculated to vacua.
rage and lead on an Artist to future eminence.
air. W.Beartcw's Studies from the Fatrs, and the Ceres
sad Proserpine of the Elgin Marbles, tali givers of the
great Figures that were in the pediment of the Perihelia/it,
sire very beautiful drawiuga, and exhibit the very great ad.
vantage which a Student in Art must derive from the study
of these incomparable works.
The Catalogue of this Exhibition is written by Mr. HAY-
DON, and conlaius au elaborate and somewhat critical ite-
arription of both the originals and copies. Mr. HILYDON
can write well, but he can paint muds better; and without
meaning to depreciate his literary acquirements, we should
at any time rather see the productions of his pencil than the
effusions of his pen. Why is it that he does not louse him-
self into an active effort, and instead of vainly calling fur
the establishment of a national Gallery and public encou-
ragement, and arraigning tithes* for not pursuing his own
path, sit ouce put in his claim to such patronage as doss
exist (arid which, thanks to the British Institution. is daily
increasing), by potting and exhibiting a great historical
work of his own, and setting forth the benefit of his exam.
ple as well as of his precepts We have never ceased to
admire the ardent devotion of Mr. HATDON to the study of
the finest models of his Art, and his disinterested and per-
severing exertions to induce others to follow loiS example.
He felt truly what an auxiliary the Arts bad been to die
maiatensuce of freedom in Greece, and when their value
ceased to be fell, how soon the liberty of the people :iegene-
rated and decayed. Mr. P 11141.1 bat eloquently observed,
that when the spirit of liberty forsook the public, grandeur
had left the private mind of Greece " subdued by PHILIP,
the gods of Athens aid Olympia had migrated to Pella, surf
ALEXANDER was become the representative of
in taking every pains to call the attention of Artists and
the Public to the Elgin Marbles (or rather in immediately
following Mr. WEST in doing it), Mr. HATING!' has deserved
well of bis cousitry, mid it is only necessary for him to en-
force their principle* in the language of his pencil, AO make
his merit complete, and lint reputation secure.
It a a remarkable aid • rug ions fail, that the only avowal
of the principles of public liberty mask by stay of the Mem-
bers of Administration in the last Parliameut, was iii the
Report of the Committee on the Elgin Marbles, when the
influence of the Arts upon the liberty of the people of Attires
was eloquently and powerfully enforced. What a ludicrous
contrast time practical politics of the chief framera of the
Report presented to the pompous recommendatiou of their
theory upon the growth of liberty !
It is right to mention, that the Catalogue of this Exhibi-
tiou is dedicated In the Directors of the British Institution
and the To witera of the British Museum, " with respect And
graLtude."

GENERA 1. COURT- M 4 tiT IA L.

A Genet. Court-Marii.ll will he field this day,
at ten n•ch.ck, at the Office of !he Board of Claim.,
opposite the Artisiiraity, by order of ids iti,yll
Hightiess the Coolima;ider-iti-Chief, in try Lleii-
temstit•Coloorll of the 18th no
several charges exhibited against him. The follow-
lug are the iimises and rack of the Ofliteia cum-
poaing the Court :
President—Liemenant-General Ric 11. Disney.
Members—Major.Generals Sir t, T. talker and W4l-
- Colorieia Sir E Keriison, 7th Hussars ; Salmon,
Royal Artillery ; Fishes, Royal Artillery i sod Smith, Em
gineria : Lieutetsaut-f2olonele Hamiltoa,3el Guards ; tieveur,
Royal Artillery; Sir E. Harding?, Greta:44llyr Guards;
Doyley, Givoirdier Guards; 114adhant, 19th Lancers;
Nowerhv. (7ulcharrom Guard, ; and Lisle, 19th Lancers:
and ,d3toro tVildmetti, 9th ; sod Wildman, Ist
Draginm G..

Mujor.tleneral Sir EDWARD BARNES, appnit.teti
seeond iu coinisiniol at Ceylon, will go out in the
Dwini less, ,21i, Captam lion. V. CARON which
shop will sail for the Eftst
Captain the Hon. NOEL has sailed in the
Rockfort, to Luke the of the Spey in the
Mediterranean.

The Pandora was paid off at Plymouth on Mon.
day. She will he dockrd and re-commissioned.—
The Mont Blanc and Sealark are to he sold.

The Essex, highs, Marquis Camden, Char*:
Grant, &tether Castle, and Vansiitart (the first
Indisineo of the season), for Bombay and Chino,
and a large fleet of outward-hound merchantmen,
passed down Channel on Friday.
On Thursday afternoon sailed from Portsmouth
the Sapphire, 21i, Capt. Ilksatr [lsar, for the
Jamaica station; and the Sophie, Sir Wit. WISE
MAN, Hari. with mails and dispatches fur the
Cape and St. Helena. Friday morning sailed the
Rochefort, 80, Capt. GREEN, for the Mediterra-
nean. to relieve the Albion. Detachments of the
Bth, 10th, '2Bth, aid, and 64th regiments, from
the depot at Albany barracks, embarked in the
Rochefort, to join their respective corps at ( libraltar,
Malta, and in the lonian Islands. The lacer cutter
(is a tender) will join the lochtfort off Plymouth.
The sixteen transports now taking Cr stores and
provisions at Portsmouth, for a fOrrlgi: voyage. are
destined to the West Indies and the Cope of Good
!lope : those for the former quarter under the
Agency of Lieutenants R. D. Parrot ARO, COURCH.
and COATES ; those for the latter under Lirutenaiit
T. J. LEVY.—The 4th regiment, with detach-
ments of the Queen's regiment, for the Leeward
Islands; and the .54th regiment, with detachments
of the 38th regiment, for the Cape. will embark
this day and to-morrow. The 6th and 9th
regiments, also for the Leeward !steeds, will em-
bark on Wednesday and Thursday. The 21st re-
giment will follow.
The Abandance, fitting out at Dept ford for a
depot store at St. [Mena, is to call at Portsmouth
to take on hoard detachments of the ti6tli regiment
for that island.
The Neptune arrived on Saturday morning at
Portsmouth, from Cadiz, bound to London : she
has sustained damage iu the late gales.
The Alexander, from Marseilles, for London,
is arrived at the Motherbank to perform quarantine.
The Stanley, WITT, of Poole, was lust on the
coast of Spain on the3oth December.
The Cameleer:, Captain MINGAY, and Grecian,
Lieutenant N. MARTIN, have proceeded on cruises.
Toe Egeria, Capt. RowLeY, came into harbour
on Thursday.
At Spithead—LPy, Revolutionaire, Pheasant.
The Pyramus, 42, and Helicon, 10, will he
Noodled at Plymouth next mouth. The Foudroy-
ant, 04, and Stirling Castle, 74. will be com-
pleted in April. The Portland, do (ilea), is nearly
in frame; the Lancaster, BO (new), has her floor-
timbers laid. The hclipse, 10, sad Emulous, 10,
are in frame.
Ao inquiry has been made, by order of the Lords
of the Admiralty, on au improved mode of working
the calculations necessary to sternaln the longitude
of ships at sea. The plan is from observations of
the positions of various stars, which promisee to re-
duce the errors into so narrow • compass. that the
actual certainty may be almost said to he rliscu-
erred. ('apt. ROBERT TUCKER, lt.N. is the in-
ventor of this new method. which requires only six
lines of figures.
Weiineatley the Menai frigate, of 28 guns, was
launched from Chatham duck-yard. She weld off
the slip in a very beautiful style. Rear-Admiral
Sir HENRY Huswasa, one of the Lords of the Ad-
miralty, Sir JohN Goetz, Sir R. BAaLow. and
many of the neighbouring gentry, were spectators.
Unfortunately, whilst every one was enjoying high
grutitictition at the sight of so liandatinie • launch),
one of the hawsers broke. and several persons were
much injured. One of the inferior officers. named
POTTER, had his kg broken ; sort from the eir-
cumstaitie of the same leg having been before
broken tin a similar occasion. it was found neces-
sary that it should be amputated, which was tier-
forint-4 at the surgery, and he was afterwards taken
on board the Argonaut hospital-ship. Sir JOHN
Goss:, and three oilier risme', also ieceived 'consi-
derable

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