The Sun.
London, England, 1855-05-14 00:00:00

TBE FINE ARTS.

We have received the second portfolio of Colnaghis'
series of lithographic incidents and scenes at the seat of
war, to which we drew attention in some detail on the
occasion of the first publication. These in every respect
maintain the high class character of their predecessors,
and fully realise the assurance of the spirited publisher
that they should be faithful and accurate, from sketches
taken expressly for the pirpose by an eminent artist on
the spot, as well as executed in the very beet style of
art. The present issue depicts, in a most vivid and
striking manner, some of the perils, as well as difficulties,
with which our brave soldiers have been suir ,unded in
the course of the Crimean struggle, and amongst them
is shown the never-to-be-forgotten and heroic charge of
the light cavalry on the plain of Balaklava, and accounts
•at a glance for the terrible slaughter -With which that
brilliant achievement was attended. There is also that
miserable road from the harbour to the camp, wheel
deep in mud and filth, the sight of which creates genuine
wonder as to how heavy guns and loads of supplies were
ever conveyed over— or more prop, rly through—it ;
whilst it at the same time affords forcible proof of the
killing nature of this duty. Besides these, there is a
view of the Field of Inkerman, a Quiet Day in the
Diamond Battery, including a portrait of a Lancaster
68-pounder, the Camp of the Naval Brigade before Se-
bastopol, the Embarkation of the Sick, and other scenes
and incidents of an interesting nature.

THE BATTLE OF THE ALMA.
We had the pleasure, on Saturday, of being present
at the private view of a magnificent and noble picture
delineative of this memorable and glorious action, now
exhibiting at the Egyptian Hall, Piccadilly. It is the
work of M. Coc mans, an eminent artist of the Belgian
school, who, we believe, has been honoured by the
patronage of the Court in that kingdom, and is un-
doubtedly an effort well worthy of so great a subject.
The painting is of extraordinary dimensions, being no
less than 26 feet by 20 feet ; and this extended surface
has afforded the artist the Inost ample scope for the dis-
play of his manipulative talent, whilst it has at the same
time enabled him to produce a remarkable breadth of
cffect. In order to obtain an accurate representation of
the spot, as well as a faithful description of the battle
itself, M. Coomans proceeded to the East last year, with
special recommendations to the allied Generals and
officers of their respective staff, by whom he was not
only cordially received, but was materially aided in the
prosecution of the object of his journey. The scene se-
lected is from the centre of the English army at the
moment of the brilliant and vigorous charge of the
Guards P,tthe heights. The principal object in the
rugged foreground is the figure of Lord Raglan, mounted
on a splendid white charger, surrounded by his staff;
and bis lordship, whilst cheering on the men at that
exciting juncture, appears undisturbed by a shell then
exploding at his feet ; and this coolness and indifference
to, the danger around him elicited the expressed admira-
tion of poor Marshal St. Arnaud. All the personages
introduced in this portion of the picture are life size, and
their portraits were, by their permission, taken from life.
That of Lord Raglan is said to be admirable. In the
middle plan the English battalions are mounting the
steeps iu firm and unbroken order, notwithstanding the
nature of the ground, and a shower of shot and shell
from the Russian batteries above them ; whilst in the
distance are seen the French and Turkish troops, and
the combined fleets close in shore playing a most destruc-
tive fire of shell upon the enemy's position. The whole
is life-like in the extreme, and carries away the mind
with the impression of the fearful reality of the scene.
The thorough artistic skill manifested in every part of
the work confirms the deservedly high reputation of M.
Coomans, as a painter, and we heartily wish him success
in its behalf.

PORTSMOUTH, SATURDAY.—The Wellesley, Indiaman,
and Northumberland, American liner, arrived at Spit-
head this evening to embark passengers and stores.
CRYSTAL PALACE.—Her Majesty the Queen accom-
panied by Prince Albert, the Duke of Saxe C.Thurg
Gotha, and the Princess of Hohenlohe Langenhurg,
paid a lengthened visit to the Crystal Palace on Satur-
day. Her Majesty's party went over the whole of the
building, and made purchases, in the industrial depart-
ment, of a mosaic table by Mr: Stevens, a series of
lithographs by Day and Son, a Croydon basket carriage
by Mr. Lenney, medals by Mr. Pinches, &c. They
also went into the grounds as far as the lower reservoir,
the geological restorations, and antediluvian animals.
The Hon. Miss Stanley, the Hon. Miss Byng, General
Buckley, and Captain Du Plat were in attendance on
her Majesty, and the Baron de Treskow and M. Samwer
on the Duke of Saxe Coburg.
It is the intention of Lord Palmerston, Lord Claren-
don, Lord John Russell, the Chancellor of the Exche-
quer, and other Ministers, to celebrate her Majesty's
birth-day on Saturday next by State banquets. The
Prime Minister will entertain about twenty-six members
of the Legislature, The Chancellor of the Exchequer's
party will number about twenty-five. The Home and
Foreign Secretaries will, it is expected, each be more
numerous. All the guests will appear, in honour of the
day, in full Court costume.
TESTIMONIAL TO THE LATE LORD DUDLEY STUART,—
On Friday there was a meeting of the committee re-
cently appointed to promote a testimonial to the late
Lord Dudley Stuart; Mr. R. M. Milner in the chair,
Several suggestions were made as to the most appropriate
testimonial to be adopted, but ultimately it was decided
that the most suitable one would be a charitable insti-
tution bearing the noble lord's name. It was stated that
the electors of Marylebone would be generally disposed
to contribute towards the foundation of such a charity.
A resolution was unanimously carried that the funds
should be applied in establishing an independent charit-
able institution, if sufficient for this purpose, but, if in-
sufficient, the committee should again deliberate respect-
ing their application, and a sub-committee was appointed
to collect subscriptions.
THE
and North
AmERICANMALse.r—ic Lan RoyalrvEaroo ?MailL,Satursdtaeya steam-ship
Saturday.—The
British
America, Captain W. J. C. Lang, sailed this afternoon
for Bowen and Halifax, with the usual mails for the
United States and British possessions in North America,
emr,eprcalciaiLd,isceapotn.
to the 2d inst.,
InEflrse.a, 9iyNg freight. The
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morning,
orning.

855

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