The National Register.
London, England, 1808-02-21 00:00:00

1,25

subsequent efforts may merit individual condemnation, he caa
never deserve to be called a fool ou the whole.
From time to time, as occasion may require, we shall point
out the most material defects of the theatrical Examiner. The
Critic has great talents, but, paradoxical as the assertion may
appear, those very talents are likely to prevent him from suer
attaining perfection in this pursuit. When his mind is turned
on comedy, he has too much wit himself to do justice to the
wit of others : awl when he has to speak of tragedy, be ap-
pears to stifle that poetical feeling which alone can enable ft.
man to criticise with justice. When he writes on comedy he
should therefore remember, like the swift runner in the fairy
tale, to tie himself, lest he move too nimbi : and, when be
investigates a tragic performance, be should not suffer cold cau-
tion to remain on guard at the avenues of his heart.

FINE ARTS.
We are happy to observe that many of the Paintings exhibited
in the British Gallery, are now marked as sold; and we should
hope that this species of encouragement is the only thing wanting
to place the efforts of the British pencil on a level with the most
finished works of Claude or Salvator. For the perfection to
which the Arts have arisen on the Coutinent, the World is in-
debted to the munificence of a few Princes, or to the enthusiasm
of religion prompting. the Painter to decorate the shrine of his
patron saint ; hut if perfection arose front those sources, what
may we mot expect from the fostering care tint British Public.--
To return to our Examination—
No. 359.—The Battle of Trafalgar, as seen from the starboard
mizen shrouds of the ridurs. .1. M. W. 'Fr it s ra.
One great, and almost universal error, to which our mariws
Painters are subject, is that of comprisins ton
much on their Cats
vas; this gives a crowding audconfused •appearance to their
works which is very dissimilar to reality. If ‘lr. 'Punter svould
stood on the poop of the V ictory,with a pieta re frame, the size of
his own placed before him, at a proper distance, he would then
see, that so many objects could not he crowded together under so
small an ansle as it would subtend ; unless, indeed, the ohjects
were removed to a much greater distsnee, w hen, of course,
their relative size would he consideratil N• diminished below that
in which he has here delineated them. Ue has also drown many.
of the objects with much greater rxartnrss than reality will war-
'rant. In the groupe in particular, which surrounds Lord Nelson,
on the fore part of the quarter deck, 'tis impossible that their
features could appear so well delineated to a person standing on
the poop. In this painting; also, the drips are much under-
masted; indeed they look like three deckers under jury-
toasts. This disproportion is very glaring, and is rendered
more so from want of attention to Heber circumstances. The
yards of the Victory. making allowance for the fore-shorten-
ing, are not sufficiently square ; the tops arc too small, in pro-
portion to the size of the ship, and to Ilse size of the people,
who are represented in them, whilst from the length of the
laniards and the consequent distance of the dead eyes, the top-
mast rigging seems as if it had never been set up. There are
several other errors, which we have not mantis to notice. yet, in
other respects, rte must allow it the merit oflts.ing well executed,
though its outline is faulty ; the figures are Spiritedly
and to those w Ito are not disposed to criticise its linear naurary,
it must afford much interest and grstification.
In the center of the room, and opposite to Mr. Turner's
painting, it
No. 486.—A Model, by Mr. WTATT, of a iironument to the
Memory at* the immurtol Admen.
This Monument stands in the centre of a circular range of Steps,
and consists of an elegantly ornamented base, on which is a
figure of Nelson, supporting a dap, and receivins a wreath front
Fame. Beneath him is Death, stasting from abroud, with one
hand fixed upon his gallant heart ; and behind the base, or pe-.
destal, is Britannia weeping, and resting
.on her shield, which
is decorated with the insignia of his different orders. The figures
in chains at the foot of The pedestal fill up the space, w ith much
taste; indeed, all the figures, considered stparately, have much
ease, and are grouped in a masterly manner. This Monument is
designed for a central situation in some public building, and it(
therefore finished entour.
No. 427.—Landscape, a Composition: and Arst. M.—Lands.,
cape near A rchhovel, i 3. Bs aiunt.
These two Landscapes, from their size and situation, seem de-
signed for companions, and if the painter intended to ssew the
effect of the contrast, he certainly has succeeded. The first is a

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