The Sun.
London, England, 1855-03-13 00:00:00

j On Saturday last, the eighth annual exhibition of this
institution was opened at the Portland Gallery, Regent-
I street. The number of pictures shown was perhaps un-
usually large, while, in point of merit, the exhibition
was about an average one. The variety, however, was
not so great as could have been desired. Out of up.
wards of 520 paintings, not more than some two or three
- purely equine sketches caught onr eye, and not one
I canine. The number of marine views was small, and
consisted mainly of sketches of coast scenery. Some of
these possessed considerable merit. The portraits ex.
hibited were few in number, but in character and execu.
tion were not behind-hand. As for pictures of an his.
torical character, we believe there was one or two. If
so, that was all. The most remarkable deficiency, how-
ever, was in battle pieces. Not a single warlike inci-
dent of the mighty struggle now going on between the
greatest nations of the world was to be found reproduced
by a single contributor. The only picture, in fact, hav-
ing any pretensions to be called a battle-piece represents
.I a skirmish—a memorable one, it is true—which took
i place in South Carolina seventy or more years ago.
Even the heroism and ect'f eevotien of Miss Nightingale,
and her noble feminine coadjutors, have failed to suggest
i materials for a single picture ! Among the best features
of t.)O exhibition were the representations of mountain
scenery ; of the many landscapes and rural views not a
' few were productions of decided merit. The illustrations
of flowers and fent were pleasing, and those of "The
I Freshwater Fishes of England," by H. L. Rolfe, were
worthy of much plaice.
, As it would he inapos,ible to notice every picture
I wh:ei attracted cur attention, we must be contented
with ncticing a few, thereby necessarily excluding several
of more than average merit. In the first room (No. 7)
" The Freshwater Fishes of England," by H. L. Rolfe,
challenged immediate attention, and cannot fail to elicit
gcn eral admiration. From the tiny minnow to the
full-grown salmon every variety is here portrayed with
admirable fidelity and discriminatiOn. Not a scale seems
awry, nor a natural tinge, however fleeting, overlooked.
(1) " Cock Robin and enny Wren," H. Barnard. A
pleasing composition. The partly simulated and almost
comic wonderment of the younger of the two children
engaged with the story book, as she nestles at her sister's
side, is worthy of notice. (23) " The Gipsy Family,"
Harry Hall. And a gipsy family it is to the very
donkies, as an Irishman might say. But what trees f.
(29) "Kate Kearney." Bold, free, and flowing. But
the lower limbs ! Those who have a good opinion
of Kate's understandings will not readily believe
she would stand that: way of her own accord.
(30) "Twilight on the mountains, Sec.," T. W. Halm..
Ultramarine, vermillion, chrome yellow and umber un-
equally distributed, the first being in excess. (33) "A
Break in the Clouds," Arthur Gilbert, and (42) "Scene
on the Coast, Isle of Wight," E. Williams, sen. Both
fine pictures. In the last, the effects of moonlight and
firelight, are beautifully rendered. (45) "The Gow
Chrom and Louise," R. S. Lauder, R.S.A. We can-
not realise the brave bandy-legged smith of Scott in this
picture. There is, however, considerable merit in the
Louise. The abandon of the wandering gleewoman is
preserved in the looks, garments, and gait. (58) " Morn-
ing on the Banks of the Thames," G. A. Williams. .A.
pleasing, picture. (77) Battle of Stone Ferry," R. R.
APlan, A.R.S.A. A large picture of striking merit.
1 The incident it illustrates is the memorable skirmish in
which the 71st Regiment of Frazer Highlanders were
engaged in 1779, in South Carolina. It is vigorously
drawn, and national peculiarities are carefully Presented.
The Highlanders have Scottish faces, and the colonists
and Indians look and do battle after their fashion. (86)
"A Russian dealer of the Gostvenordor," W. Cava
Thomas, and (359) "Dealing in the North," by the
same artist, possess character, and are skilfully executed.
We never saw fur better delineated. (97) "Hamlet
and Ophelia," W. Maw Egley. An original
picture of unequal merit. There is a world
of woe in the eyes of the ill-fated Prince, and
not a little natural consternation in those of
Ophelia. Hamlet's madness, however, is not extra-
-1
; vagant enough for simulation. His hair, too, is
not human, and Ophelia's robes are too statuesque in
their flow. Still, both imagination and observation, and
some degree of skill, have gene to the composition of
this picture. We may here notice three clever portraits
by Bell Smith, and one by A. Wevell. (110) "On the
Beach," E. C. Williams. Why make the " green" so
very green ? (SO) " The Piesent," T. Underhill. A
pleasing composition, rather undertoned. (147) "Juba,"
H. Barraud. An equine portrait, full of life and intelli-
gence. (164) " Vesper Chimes," and (668) " A Fish-
monger at Venice," by Karl Hartman. Vigorously
drawn and painted pictures, especially the latter. If
the artist be young, a career lies before him, (201)
" Little Red Riding Hoed," Mica Clifford Smith: A
clever little picture. (251) "A Lane near Tyngrove
Hill," A. W. Williams. Picturesque, but hardly sub-
dued enough in tone. (264) " Ferreting Rabbits," H.
P. Parker. A bit of real liie. The expression of the old
poacher's countenance is admirable. The ferret and he
seem to have much in common. (322) "Contentment.,"
H. P. Parker. The honiely earnestness of the male
figure engaged in cutting a loaf is worthy of notice.
(355) " Wet and Windy," John Thorpe. A coast view
cleverly executed and true to nature. (370) "The Cl se
of a Summer Day," G. A. Williams. (374) "The For-
tune Teller," Daniel Passmore ; and " Behind the
Tapestry," by the same artist, are noticeable
pictures. " Sir Tristram Teaching La Beale Isonde
the Harp," J. E. Lauer, R.S.A. One of the largest
and most ambitious pietNes in the Exhibition ; of con-
siderable but unequal inei if. The " Fairest Lady of the
World" is not to our taste. - Sir Tristram, however, has
more justice done to,hirn. The figures are quite large
eroe,,gli and are not sufficiently relieved. (379) "A
Gleam of Moin•ne,, Sunshine," T. J. Ewbauk. A
pleasing subject, artistically en/ feelingly treated.
(3iS) " Crossing the Furs," E. W. Williams, Pen.
Another night :one by this clever artist. (401)
`,`Autumn in the Highlands," Sydney Percy. • One of
the finest pictures in the exhibition, worthy of the gran
.dour of the scenery it represent •. (456) "Scene nen-
Chertssy," A. F. Rolfe. A meritorious picture. (425)
"Snowing," G. A. IVillianie. True to nature and to
Thomson. (522) "In the Fields near Hampstead,"
N. E. Green. Painted from nature, and in the ldve of
it. A fine picture. Among the contributions we have
I not had space to notice, are one by Miss Howitt, and
others by Mr.. and Miss Paulson, Mrs. Withers, Mrs.
Oliver, and W. Duffield ; all paintings of merit.
Among the illustrators of Shakspere, Frederic Weekes,
Frank Mildmay, and E. W. Russell may be honourably
mentioned. The . exhibition was well attended by
fashionable visitors, though the weather was un-
favourable.