The National Register.
London, England, 1822-06-10 00:00:00

FINE ARTS.

GROUP OF CATTLE.
BY 'AWLS WARD. ESQ. R. A.
In proportion as a DAIIOW Is truly splendid, will the
1 rd ha lit embelbehments of art he promoted by it's peo-
ple—those noble-mended tit div ithials therefore who
ratron•s.2 the artists of our country, are entitled not
only to our commendations, but also to our gratitude
and itonation. Bacon observes of painting that it
" raises the mind, by accommodating the images of
things to our desires ;"--a propositiou which displays
thy most proMund knowledge of 1 an nature.
Tilts hoe large picture exhibits a most astonishing
eliirt of pictorial genius—it once transemlaut,
illus-
IfifltiS, and grand. It is next to impossible, for any ra-
tional bring to contemplate its supreme excellence,
st ithout betraying emotions of admiration, mingled with
surprise and heightened with raptiire. It represents in
the most interesting manlier, the tine characteristic force
and quality of the bull, not reduced to the illegitimate
form of the cow, hot endued with his tine natural torn
and strength. The head of this bull actually appears to
pro i;ct front the canvas, and starts upon the sight, with
the s cry force of life, and grandeur of animal power, the
hiltless 01 muscular turgidity, and fire of quadrupedal
vigtior. The fulls of the bull's neck are almost inimi-
tably execu.ed. H:s acute eye sparkles with the in-
knse spirit, and powerful flame of life. The bold and
masterly figure of the black Glamorgansliire cow has a
:st broad and imposing effect. The calf eyeing the
water wagtail, is nature herself em canvas. The sheep
ate depicted with all the identity of truth: In the dis-
tance of the lovely scene, the spirif column of the smoke
front the distant cottage rises amidst the quietude of the
peaceful valley, decorated with the contrived pea sa Ill's
)11W'y but delightful cot, beyond which the pale blue
hills bound the horizon of the enchanting scene, which
all DWISt view with rapture, who delight in the sensibili
ties and joys attendant upon rural life. The heart glad-
dens and cXpanchS itself at this sight of nature's simple
yet j iy-enduing landscape, and cold and tasteless must
be the lie •rt and sentiments of hint who cars turn front
the picture, without a pang of regret at his absence limn
the enlivening spectacle, where pure, undecorated
Na-
ture reigns triumphant, amidst her verdant pastures of
stinplicdy and beauty. The trunks and branches of the
trees to the right of the picture, arc exceedingly correct
and natural. ‘Ve might almost, without deserving the
imputation of ignorance, touch the Call vas to know whe-
lksr the scene is real or imaginary. The quadrupedal
figures appear as though they were endued with all the
said energy of motion, and wanted only the w:11 to move
towards us. The field-Rowers which adorn the land-
scape are most sweetly handled, and appropriately
disposed. The attitudes of the several annuals intro-
duced, are very admirably chosen. The general colour-
ing of this powerful petit/nuance is in a grand judicious
style. The whole production is finished witn a wonder-
ful exactness, whicit would almost bear the analysis of
the microscope, and yet the drawing appears amply in
detail, without the fault of minuteness. The composi-
tion is in excellent gusto—the chioro-oscuro is rich slid
lovely—and the back ground is beyond description, Wit rill
and toteresting. '111:s beautiful picture is an 11011011 f lit
the ate—a glory of the arts—and a most conspicuous
ex throw' of individual genius.

N.ITIONAL SCHOOL SOCIETY.

On Wednesday last, the annual meeting of the sub-
scribers to the National Society for the education ofthe
poor in the principles of the established church, on the
system of Doctor Bell, was held at the Central School-
house, Baldwiti's Garden's, Gray's Inn-lane.
The Archbishop of CANTERBURY took the chair.
The Rev. Dr. IVALMSBY, the honorary secretary of
the society, read the report of the committee for the last
year, by which it appeared that 82 new schools had been
homed on the national plan, in the diffei,itt parts of
the kingdom, in the last year, and thirteen schools had
been discontinued ; and that the total uuutber of schools
was 1790; and also that an increase of upwards of
12,000 had taken place in the last year in the ntiliber
01 children educated in the different schools, the total
number being upwards of 2.50,040). The society had
su the course ot the year had given assistance to 39
is-hools, by grants of money, amounting to 3,5231.
'llle mail receipts ot the society fur the year amounted
to 3,6.341. :mil their funded property to 3,6001.
The report being read,
The Archbishop of CANTORBURY addressed the meet-
ing. When he considered the great public utility of
of the institution, he could not but entertain sanguine
hopes that it would soon receive a more general support
from the public. It must be 'willful to all to hear that
13 schools had been discontitmed—he hoped it was
owing to the peculiar circumstances of the present times,
and he was persuaded that all his brethren would recol-
lect that it was a 1110 St impoitant part of their duly
to look well to the establishment and maintenance of
schools for the poor—;he education of the people (r 1 this
country belonged by law, and of right, to the parochial
clergy.
Lord KtNYON moved a rote of thanks to the Arch-
bishop of Canterbury, for his very great attention to the
prosperity of the society, and his kinthieis in taking the
chair.

Thanks were also voted to the comnsittee, the trea-
surer, and oilier officers of the society, after which the
meeting dissolved.

A woman has been committed to Lane miter Castle
for the murder of her intent chill, the discovery of
which took place from a small coffin being brought
to the sexton of Ashton church for interment, as
containing the body of a still-born infant, and for the
interment of which a larger fee than customary was
given, which raised suspicion. On opening the coffin
tt was found that the child had been strangled.