The Sun.
London, England, 1855-05-10 00:00:00

THE SUN. LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, MAY 10, 1855.

31on of regret by the other Plenipotentiaries,
probably because it was already clear that
Russia would peremptorily reject the limi-
tation of her fleet "to four ships of
war and four frigates, with a proportionate num-
ber of light vessels and unarmed ♦essels, exclu-
sively adapted to the transport of troops." The
SULTAN was to restrict his navy within similar
limits, while the other parties were only to be
permitted, after a special firman from the SULTAN,
each to bring into the Euxine a number of vessels
equal to half the naval forces which each of the
Powers bordering the sea should maintain there.

Subsequently, the Russian propositions were
brought forward, which placed no restriction on
the RuSsian naval force, but merely threw open
the Dardanelles and Bosphorus to the flags of all
nations ; to give, in fact, to Russia the much-
coveted access to the Mediterranean, at all times
and under all circumstances. This was, of course,
hesitatingly rejected by the Allies, and Lord
JOIN RUSSELL, having declared that his instruc-
tions were exhausted, departed from Vienna.
Subsequently, on the 26th April, another Con-
ference was held at the express instance of RusSia,
when a new but equally untenable proposition
was put fora and by the Russian Plenipotentiary.
This was merely to the effect, that the principle of
closing the Straits of the Bosphorus should remain
in force, but that filo SULTAN should be allowed,
by way of temporary exception, to open the Straits
of the Dardanelles and of the Bosphorus to
the fleets of Foreign Powers, which he
should think it necessary to summon when-
ever he thought his security menaced. This
was, of course, deemed inadmissible, and here the
matter stands. It is on this latter point, how-
ever, that Austria justifies her continued hesita-
tion, and that M. DROUYN DE L'HUYS adopted
such views as led to his resignation of his position
as Minister of France. We trust that the British
Parliament may speak out so boldly and explicitly
MI the subject that there can be no possible excuse
for our Cabinet further truckling either to " Mus-
covitism" or " Germanism," which seem to have
greater importance in their sight than the direct
interests of France and England, the security of
Turkey, or the peeve of Europe.

It is probably unknown to the generality that no
less than an earnest sentiment of patriotism impelled
Mr. THA OKERAY, some time since, to retire from his
conspicuous position among the collaboratcurs
eagaged in the periodical fun—pictorial and lite-
r try—productive, by weekly, monthly, and half-
yearly instalments, of our great comic publication.
As the significance of this announcement becomes
adequately appreciated, we can picture to our-
ielves the broad grin upon the popular counte-
nance—that expression of hilarity resulting from
reiterated roars of laughter over the pages of our
London Charivari—fading away by almost imper-
ceptible degrees, and the bluff, rubicund visage
of JOHN BULL becoming gradually elongated. It
will be ill news, indeed, to every one fond of the
luxury of a chuckle over the genuinely ludicrous.
An unwelcome intimation to those (and their
name is legion) who have shaken their sides with
unaffected enjoyment over the lyrics of Policeman
X, over the lamentations of Flunkey Jeames, over
the remote records of Snobbism, and the recent
annals of the Bashi-Bazouks. Nevertheless, the
event alluded to is indisputable--Fitzboodle has
deliberately shaken the dust of the familiar office
from his sboeleather—Punch has positively, if not
permanently, lost his "Fat Contributor." An inci-
dent sincerely to be regretted, depriving, as it
unfortunately does, the blithest, bravest, bitter-
est, yet also one of the most genial and delightful
satirists of our generation of an opportunity
as rare in one sense as, in another, it has
hitherto, happily, been frequent. For the out-
pouring of the overflowings of his abundant fancy
—the distribution of the waifs and strays of his
unstinted good-humour—the diffusion of the jet-
sam and flotsam of his inexhaustible facetiousness!
It is a calamity to the joke-lovers of this joke-lov-
ing community, for which the perversity of the
periodical rather than the petulance of the contri-
butor must be regarded as responsible.

Somewhat as suddenly as Mr. DOYLE withdrew,
in 1850, on account of Mr. Punch's disrelish for
the Catholic Hierarchy—Mr. THACKERAY with-
drew, in 1854, on account of that honest, obsti-
nate old gentleman's ineradicable antipathy for
his Imperial Majesty the Emperor NAPOLEON 111.
Like so many other of our contemporaries, Mr. P.
(who, wherever he bears a grudge, is such a
thorough " good hater" that he would infallibly,
had he existed in the flesh towards the end of the
last century, have been a cherished intimate of
Dr. JOHNSON), Mr. P., we say, like so many other
of our co-literateurs, had from the outset conceived
an obdurate and, as few will be disinclined to
Admit nowadays, a wonderfully mistaken pre-
judice against the remarkable man especially placed
by DIVINE PROVIDENCE, for the happiness of the
world, at the supreme head of the French Na-
tionality. It will be remembered by the British
public generally, that from the very commence-
ment, in the midst of the general chorus of abuse
Erected. against the thrice elect of a great people,
WE never hesitated to protest against the folly
And injustice of all that blundering animosity and
unmerited vituperation. Not so with the rest of
the daily, weekly, monthly, or quarterly organs
of popular opinion. For a considerable time we
stood, in regard to this matter, altogether insu-
lated among the crowd of our contemporaries. We
were oven spoken of by the Times—(the journal now
3o courtly in its allusions to theaugust Monarch who
was once so flagrantly pelted through its columns
with the foulest words and the vilest ribaldries in the
ample vocabulary of a Brummagem-Junius, prosti-
tuting by his anonymous signature the honourable
designation of "An Englishman" —we were
branded by the Times, we say, at the period to
which we are here alluding—the circumstance can
scarcely yet be forgotten—as
" The Base Exception,"

We are almost tempted to ask of the Times and
its then rather numerous sympathisers—How is
it now with The Sun in this matter ? How is it
now in regard to us as—The Base Exception ?
Now when the Emperor NAPOLEON 111. has been
the honoured guest of our beloved SOVEREIGN.
Now when his Imperial MAJESTY has been solemnly
invested by Queen VICTORIA with the insignia of
the Most Noble Order of the Garter. Now when,
after enjoying, together with his beautiful consort,
the royal hospitalities at Windsor—the Emperor
of FRANCE has been welcomed with unexampled
enthusiasm by vast multitudes of our " free
and enlightened" population. Now when the
elect, first of all, of nearly 6,000,000,
afterwards of neatly 7,000,000, and ultimately
of nearly 8,000,000 of Adult Frenchmen, has
received the homage of our various municipalities,
together with the conspicuous felicitations of our
chief Metropolitan Corporation in the ancient
Guildhall of the City of London. Somewhat of
a change, it will be rather generally admitted,
has, in this particular, come over the spirit of the
dream of English publicists—bringing tivm over,
one by one, to a remarkable complicity ‘sl.ll. The
th
Sun, to a. singular coinoidenoo of opinion wi

The Base txception—until the one solitary voice
has become merged in the sonorous acclamations
of au almost unprecedented unanimity.

To promote discussion on the Bill for the local
administration of the Metropolis—of which the
all-absorbing administration of the War and of
our general taxation may make us lose sight—
and to give a fair hearing to opposing views on
the subject, we insert an able and important
letter from Lord EBRINGTON, which is in circula-
tion amongst some of the leaders of his constitu-
ency upon Sir BENJAMIN HALL'S Bill. Un-
doubtedly we cannot afford to have large mistakes
and maladministration of increased local burthens,
as well as maladministration at the same time of
'the increased general taxation of the country.
It is estimated that the expense of the staffs of
the thirty-six new local boards which Sir
BENJAMIN HALL proposes to create in the
metropolis, cannot be less than one hun-
dred thousand pounds ? Will not fewer suf-
fice ? One staff ought to be made cheaper and
stronger than seven, and Lord EBRINGTON states
that "the staff expenses in 1846, under the seve!,
sewer commissions into which the metropolis was
then divided, were more than 20 per cent. on thr,
works executed. The staff expenses in 1854,
under the consolidated commission, were only 11
per cent., and that included systematic mapping
and the under-ground surveying items,. quite un-
known in the olden times." Having gained so
much by consolidation has a case been made out,
so far as sewerage and drainage works are con-
cerned, for going back and creating 36 new sur-
veyorships, and as many sub-surveyorships and
clerks ? The most important drainage works, the
house drainage, are under the jurisdiction of the
Metropolitan building surveyors, whoseemolumenEs
are some twenty thousand pounds per annum; indi-
vidual surveyors, who are private practising archi-
tects, getting upwards of one thousand pounds per
annum each for the performance of duties which
three or four persons giving their whole time to
the service could perform much more satisfac-
torily than a dozen 'private practitioners. Sir
BENJAMIN HALL alleges, and probably truly, that
they have not performed the most important por
tions of their duties. Well, should not.they be
made to perform them, or the emoluments be
transferred with the duties to the thirty-six new
surveyors ? Why is the Metropolis to be burthened
with both sets of offices ? Lis stated by Metro-
politan drivers that you may tell when you leave
a ward under the jurisdiction of the Metropolitan
Road Commission, superintended by the late Sir
CHARLES 111'AI:um, and get upon a road under a
parish or vestry paving board by the jolting yiir
get. Has consolidation, at all events to stare
with, under that well-working commission, been
thought of ?

The mortal remains of the Countess Rossi (Mdme.
Bont;‘g) arrived a: Dresden o❑ the 29th ult., whence
they are to be conveyed into Lusatia, to be deposited in
the convent of Marirnstern.

PERU.—From Peru we learn that the steamer Rimac
had been wrecked, and nearly 100 persons or, board
perished.
A TROPHY FOR THE QUEEN.—A Russian eagle, a
trophy captured near Balakiava, brought to England by
her Majesty's ship Vengeance, has been sent by Captain
Lord E. Russell to Landon, as a present to her Majesty.
—Plymouth Mail.
The celebrated horse, Wild Irish Girl, the property of
William Quinn, Esq., of Loloher, Ireland, has been
lately sold to the Marquis of Waterford for 200 guineas.
Her performances at the April meeting on the short grass
prove her to be a "good un."
The Czar has just conferred new orders and insignia,
enriched with diamonds, upon Prince Gortschakoff
(not the commander-in-chief) and General•ghruleff for
their services in the Crimea.
A government school of art has just been established
at Southampton. Its establishment was originated and
chiefly supported by a lady of the neighbourhood. Many
of the pupils are sappers and miners belonging to the
Ordnance survey department in the above-mentioned
town.

The Countess Flahault and se Ite, who proceeded with
with Count Walewski en route to. Paris, were detained
at Folkestone by the tempestuous weather. The countess
and party proceeded to Dover on Tuesday, and crossed
over to Calais at 2 o'clock in the afternoon, in the mail
steam•packet Empress, with Capt. Smithett.
THE NAVAL CLUB OF 1765 —Last evening, the
members of this club celebrated the anniversary of
Duncan's victory at Camperdown (17971, by a ban-
quet at the Thatched-house Tavern. Capt. Chappell,
R.N., occupied the chair. About 30 officers sat down.
The members will have another banquet on the occasion,
of the anniversary of the Queen's birthday (May 19).
The Oster-Zeitung gives the following detail respect-
ing the English army before Sebastopol :--The Light
Division, Lieut.-General Sir G. Brown, numbers 3,800 ;
First Division, Sir C. Campbell, 3,500 ; S'econd Divi-
sion, Major-General Pennefather, 3,600 ; Third Divi
sion, Lieut.-General Sir R. England, 3,500 ; Fourth
Division, Sir J. Cambpell, 3.500. To these must be
added the Naval Brigade, 1,000 ; 600 marines, and 600
cavalry. This number will soon be increased to 25,000.
HousE DRAlNAGF.—Yesterday Lord Ebrington's bill
was printed, to empower the Commissioners of Sewers
to expend on house drainage a certain sum out of the
moneys borrowed by them on the security of the rates,
and also to give to the Commissioners certain other
powers for the same purpose. The sum is not to exceed
25,0001., and the approaching hot weather is urged as a
reason why the powers of the 49th section of the Metro-
politan Sewers Aet should be forthwith actively exer-
cised for house drainage.
NEW BILL ON INFANTS' MARRlAGES.—Yesterday a
bill in the Howe of Cernmons was printed, to enable
infanta, with the approbation of the Court of Chancery,
to make binding setihenents of their real aad personal
estate on marriage. The bill has been pi epared by Mr.
Malins and Mr. Whiteside, th barristers.
ASSAULTS ON WO'HEN AND CHlLDREN.—Yesterday
a return to Parliament was issued, showing the numbe,,
of n,en charged at or summoned to the different police-
( ffic s in Dublin during the past year for assaults Qn
women and children. The number is 1,222 ; of which
15 were sent for trial, 344 were summarily convicted,
and 863 discharged.

LATEST NEWS.

PARIS, THURSDAY, MAY 10, 7 A.lll.

The Moniteur says that advices from the Cri-
mea, dated the 9th of May, at 10 o'clock a.m.,
announce the arrival there of General della, Mar-
mora, with 4,000 men of the Piedmontese troops.

FRANCE.
PARIS, WEDNESDAY EVENING.
The lroniteur contains the following :
" The Emperor has received letters of congratu-
lation from the Grand Duke of Tuscany, on his
escape from the late attempt on his life.
" In the indictment against the assassin Pianori,
it was stated that on the 28th of April the Em-
peror was attended by only one equerry, whereas
Lieut. -Colonel Val abriq ue was on his left hand and
Col. Ney on 11s right. The assassin rushed from
the path on the right of the Emperor, but the pre-
sence of Colonel Ney compelled him to place him-
self iu front to fire the first shot. Colonel Ney
then having quickly borne down upon him, changed
the direction of the second shot, and entirely frus-
trated the attempt."
It is reported that further changes will be made
in the Cabinet, in addition to what has already
taken place ; that M. Billault, Minister of the
Interior, is to succeed Admiral Hamelin as Minister
of Marine, whose retirement is certain ; that M.
Rouher, Minister of Public Works, will succeed
Billault i❑ the Home Department ; and that
NI. Paul de Richemont, one of the directors of the
Paris and Orleans Railways, will take the place of
Rouher as Minister of Agriculture, Commerce,
Ind Public Works.

THE NEW BEER BILL.--The petition from the in-
habitant; of this town, praying for a repeal of the New
Beer Bill, containing upwards of 25,000 signatures, has
been forwarded to T. E. Headl au, Esq., M P., for pre-
sentation to the House of Commons. —Newcastle Guar-
dian,.

The following private telegraphic despatches
have been received to-day :
" TRlEsrE,.Bth.—Accounts from Constantinople
of the 30th ult., state that the Piedmontese troops
will encamp provisionally at Malack, where they
will form the left wing of the French anny in the
event of the latter marchingon Kaffa and Perekop.
Baron de Tecco, the Piedmontese Ambassador, has
exchanged the ratifications of the treaty of alliance
with the Porte. Accounts from Asia announce
that Mehemet Warsif Pacha had advanced on Kars
;It the head of his staff. Letters from Trebisond,
of the 25th, state that the Khan of Khiva, who
'lad been committing depredations on the Persian
territory, had been captured and with 27 of his fol-
lowers beheaded at Teheran. It is also mentioned
that Persia would declare in favour of the Porte
immediately after the arrival, at Teheran, of the
French and English Envoys."
" VIENNA, Bth.—General Crawford, who is ap-
pointed to accompany General Hess, left yesterday
with his family for Hitzing."
The Emperor yesterday received through the
Marquis de Tany de Nerli, Charge-d'Affaires of
Tuscany, a letter from the Archduke, his sovereign,
>n the occasion of the attempt against his Imperial
Majesty's life. . .

Count Walewaki, who was summoned to Paris
by electric telegraph, has taken the oath to the
Emperor, and assumed possession of the ministry of
Foreign Affairs.
The directors of the Exhibition Palace Company
had the honour of an audience of their Majesties
yesterday, to present the collection of medals which
had been struck off for the inauguration of the
Exhibition. The Empgror several times expressed
his approbation of their execution.
A detachment of one hundred naval gunners
rrived at Havre yesterday from Toulon, on their
cay to Cherbourg, where they are to be placed on.
hoard the floating batteries and gun-boats of the
Baltic fleet. A detachment of 500 had previously
been sent from Toulon to different ports ; and
ihere still remain 1,000 gunners at Toulon..

The Valmy, line- of-battle ship, left Toulon on
the Bth for Constantinople, with troops, provisions,
and ammunition for the army of the East.
A letter from Athens, of the 27th ult., in the
Trieste Gazette, says that it was reported in that
city that the Anglo-French corps of occupation is
about to leave Greece, and that it is to be replaced
by a corps of 400 or 500 men to be supplied by s.
tTreat German Power, of which the name is not
stated.

The birthday of the young Duke of Parma was cele-
brated at the capital of his States on the 29th ult. A,
solemn service was performed on the occasion in the
cathedral in the presence of the Duchess Regent, the
'Ducal family, the Ministers, and the meal hers of the
Diplomatic Body. In the evening the Duchess and her
son showed themselves to the people on the balcony of
the palace, and were received with enthusia-on.
DESTRUCTION OF A FLOUR MILL AT DEPTFORD.—
Yesterday afternoon, shortly before four o'clock, a fire,
attended with a considerable destruction of property,
broke out in the extensive premises belonging to Mr.
Featherey, termed the Black Horse Flour Mill, situate
at Black Horse Bridge, Deptford. The fire commenced
from some unexplained cause in the mill, and owing to
the inflammable nature of the contents.the flames spread
with more than usual rapidity, seizing upon the whole
of the valuable stock in trade, and fairly enveloping the
entire building. The total loss at the lowest computa-
tion will exceed 1,000/., and unfortunately the sufferer
was not insured for a single penny. The building be-
longed to Mr. Little, of New-cross, and at present it is
unknown whether it was insured or not.
SOCIETY OF FRIENDS OF FOREIGNERS IN DISTRESS.—
Last night the 49th anniversary dinner of this charity
was held at the London Tavern. In the absence of Earl
Granville, who was prevented by his late accident from
presiding, the chair was taken by John Labouchere,
Esq., tshebsTerreibased was 1,
Treasurer
the Society. The amount of
money
HOSPITAL FOR CONSUMPTION AND DISEASES OF THE
Crum—The anniversary dinner in aid of the above
charity took place yesterday, at Willis's Rooms, St.
James's-street. In the absence of the Duke of Rich-
mond, who had promised to preside, but who was pre-
vented by indisposition, the chair was taken by Lord
Ravens worth, supported by about 100 gentlemen, friends
of the charity. A collection was made, which resulted
in an addition to the funds of the hospital of :eboutl,soo/.
The affray between the military and militia in Cork
was renewed on Monday night, and several of the riot-
ers suffered considerably. They were, however, finally
secured by the pickets, and placed under restraint.
FLAGS OF TRUCE AT SEBASTOPOL. —General Pelissier
has issued the following general order relative to flags'
of truce :—" The General-in-Chief has decided that the
bcoo placent
Ia t m
iu)
oynf
ri
sea,ctat
the
communications
n)sadr
firstwbtsi sohitati
uatahwitrnoaitrteshphfikehseaci
geet flagsoo
hxnfnoepesfrtmre thecitoyseorus
fuul
fiesyctsnrherustuati
recommendsyucle corps,
tdtoothsrhhephe erosexuorcl
eenohdnaraftentnhrmegaeert
eel
aoerrmtti
gatt
mes-
sages com-
mandingsneeet..
gcotoererinaicedeerttianelltrcyt major, and superior officers in the trenches, not
B,a any Russian
where
sagesoarnddercowmilml communications. Every Epuvenriyshiendfr.actoingnoefttilr pre-
sentrs
TAMER, the General C•mimaudiug the First Corps.—
Before ';ieba,tonol Apt it 2():".

' BOURSE, MAY 9.—CLOSING PRICES.
Cash. f'r. c. End of Month.
ti per Cents 93 —f. —c.
i per Cents 6B 50 68 55
iredit Mobilier 7Bl 25 Roman
Credit Foncier 530 Austrian
Belgian Fives ...... .. Spanish Threes —
Piedmontese B5 50 Home Debt 32
RAILWAYS—i'OIi CASH.
fr. c. fr. c.

Orleans
1155 Lyons -. 1120
Western 650 Rouen
(Jette
vtediterranean 1032 50 Havre 550
gorthern

A linc of eicetiie rele,!raCii i= a!,out to. le
from Wenenhorg, provnace of Scai.ia, in Sweden, to the
fruitier of Norway. It is to run along the western coast
of Sweden.

THE ,ROYAL ACADEMY EXHIBITION.

The 37th annual exhibition of theßoyalAcademy was
opened to public view on Monday last, and, we need
scarcely say, was crowded throughout the morning with
the aristocracy, the elite of fashion, of literature, and of the
patrons and lovers of the fine arts. Indeed, so great was
the pressure in every part of the rooms that it was with
the greatest difficulty that one could, obtain even a brief
and passing view of the principal pictures. " on the line,"
but more particularly of those which appeared to form
the chief points d'attraction, and of which we shall pre-
sently speak.
Whilst it cannot for a moment be denied that this
year's exhibition is satisfactory as an indication of the
present standard of painting in this country, at the
same time, we imagine, a feeling akin to disappoint-
ment will naturally arise in the mind of the careful, ob-
server from the fact that some of the leading and recog-
nised maestros in different schools, if the term may be
permitted, are by no means so fully or so favourably re-
presented as on previous occasions. This arises, how•
ever, more from the character of the subjects they have
chosen as the vehicles of their peculiar talents than
from any inferiority in their style or execution, or defi-
ciency in the manner in which they ate rendered ; whilst
the comparatively narrow compass into which, in some
instances, 'their efforts have been compressed leaves
much more to be desired than is actually presented to
the eye. There is, besides, speaking in a wide
sense, a visible absence of grand historical and
scriptural works, and of rare and happy ima-
ginative conceptions out of the ordinary range, such
as we have of late been so accustomed to look for in the
exhibitions of the Royal Academy. Nevertheless, we
repeat, there is much to gratify as well as to admire
amongst the almost endless diversity of compositions
which adorn the crowded walls.

We will in the first place notice a picture relative to
which the greatest curiosity and interest seems to have
been excited, not merely from the fact of its being the
production of a young artist whose name has been
hitherto unknown, and who, we-beheve, is now stn.-lying
in Rome, or the circumstance that it has been already
purchased for her Majesty fur the handsome sum of
600/.—though these are startling enough—but also from
its intrinsic merits. We allude to "The Procession of
Cimabue's celebrated Madonna through the streets of
Florence," by Mr. F. Leighton (569). It is a composi-
tion of large dimensions, and bold and daring in concep-
tion and handling, yet every obvious difficulty is sur-
mounted in the most complete and triumphant manner.
The story is simple enough : "In front of the Ma-

denim and crowned with laurels walks Cimabue himself,
with his pupil Giotto; behind it Arnolfo di'Lapo, Gaddo
Gaddi, Andrea Tafi, Nicola Pisano, Buffalmacco and
Simone Memini ;in the corner Dante." The procession
is equally simple, but it is endowed with so !Ruch
motion and vitality that the impression of its
truthfulness in 'every detail is irresistible. Detail is,
however, one of the most prominent as it is one of the
most remarkable characteristics of the work ; yet the
accuracy of drawing, the variety of attitude, the rich and
harmonious colouring, and the perfect order and keep-
ing of the whole combine and produce an effec:; of the
most successful description. The work is essentially a
novelty; but of so high a class that it stamps the genius and
originality of the artist, as we hope it does his reputation.
Passing onwards the eye is at once caught by the ex
tended proportions of " Rome" (594) by Mr. D, Roberts.
The work is a noble one, and fully equal to any of this
master's former productions. The point of view selected
is quite fresh, and" presents the once-famed sad still
interesting city in an entirely different aspect to any we
have previously seen. The foreground is upon a consi-
derable elevation, beneath which flows the lazy Tiber in
its circuitous course, and Rome with its numberless
domes, campaniles, and strada sPreads out and around
into the distance with a panoramic comprehensiveness.
The mantle of the coming twilight is gradually wrapping
the scene in its grey and sombre folds —but the setting
sun gilds with splendour the summits of its fretted
roofs and temples, and exquisitely realises the descrip-
tive lines :

" Thou hast thy sunset's glow,
Rome ! for thy dower,
Flushing tall cypress bough,
Temple, and tower !"
Mr. Maclise is represented by the scene before the
Duke's Palace wherein, Orlando is about to engage with
the Duke's wrestler (78). It is an effort the individuality
of which no one can mistake. Though by no means
on so large a scale as the subject in such hands might
have warranted with advantage, it is replete with the
most deep and careful study both of the characters
themselves and in the portrayal of the emotions by
which each is at the moment animated. The Duke sits
anxiously and impatiently on his throne awaiting the
coming conflict ; on his left is the slim yet graceful Or-
lando, who addresses Rosalind in the soft and gentle
language attributed to him by the great bard. Rosa-
lind and Celia, who intervene, clasping each other's
hands, beam from their countenances the kindest hope
for the issue of the struggle—the former speaking more
meaningly by looks than words to her modest lover as
she says, "The little strength I have, I would it were
with you." Perhaps the only repulsive figure in the
whole group. is the wrestler, a personification of mere
brute strength, elevated by no particle of mind. The sly
roguish expression of Touchstone, as he looks upwards
from where he is reclining full into the pale and thought.
ful face of Rosalind, is capital. The subordinate cha-
racters are cleverly put in ; the colouring is rich, and the
execution is of that soft texture and delicate minuteness
for which this great artist is so deservedly admired. We
prefer the style and spirit of Mr. Frith when it is applied
to the working out of such charming little studies as his
" Maria tricking Malvolio (108) in the Wood," than when
displayed in such incidents as "At the Opera" (305), or
" The Lovers" (126), though, in the last-mentioned class,
he shone out very conspicuouslf at last year's exhibition.
Each of these, however, in their way, will well repay an
attentive inspection. Of the three contributions sent
by Mr. Egg we think it will be readily admitted that
the "Life and Death of Buckingham " (394), which is in
reality two pictures, is decidedly the best in many re-
spects. It illustrates two striking phases in the career
of the pampered but ill-fated courtier, and is, we sup-
pose, intended to inculcate the mural—to use the trite
words of Scott—" of the instability of human greatness,
and the transitory value of earthly possessions." On the
one hand, we find him in the midst of a scene of dis-
solute debauchery, surrounded by a gay and profligate
circle, and all that affluence can command to minister to
sensual luxury. On the other, we see him alone and
friendless, stretched on a miserable pallet, in, if possi-
ble, a more miserable garret, just as the last agonies of
death are past. The contrast is striking and effective,
and the story is well and plainly told ; but we could
have wished that the features of his companions in the
first part had been less harsh and disagreeable. "Come,_
rest in this bosom" (136), by the same artist, is, we
think, neither sentimental nor felicitous ; but his
" Through the green shade wandering" (127), is very
pretty and very pleasing. The only production
shown by the President, Sir Charles L. Eastlake,
"Beatrice" (120), is somewhat tame and mean-
ingless ; but is not, nevertheless, wanting in beauty
and finish in an artistic sense.—M. E. M. Ward has
also contented himself with simply sending a portrait of
Lieut.-General Hearsey, in the dress of the Native
Irregular Cavalry, H.E.I. C.S." (137) "Lear recovering
his reason at the sight of Cordelia" (149), by Mr. J.
R. Herbert, is a very fine conception. The dawn of re-
turning intellect in the grey-haired and grief-stricken
old monarch, and the faint struggle of mental energy, as
he slowly recalls the beloved image of his sweet en-
dearing daughter, and exclaims—" Methinks I should
know you. Yet lam doubtful. Do not laugh at me.
For as I am a man, I think this lady to be my child, Cor-
delia"—is marvellously rendered ; whilst the agitation
'twixt brightening hope and anxious fear, lest her joy
should be premature, is eloquently expressed in the face
of the beautiful Cordelia.—Mr. S. A. Hart has two
pictures. The larger one (225) is descriptive of the
" Captivity of Eccelino, the tyrant of Padua," who,
when taken prisoner to Soncino, rejected all medical
and spiritual aid, tore the bandages from his wounds,
and refused food, until death put an end to his obstinate
resistance. The tyrant is depicted in the act of thrusting
from him, with a scornful gesture, the refreshment
proffered to him by a sweet girl. The other (327) is
drawn from Shakspere's Othello—where the cunning
and deceitful lago first attempts to uniermine the affec-
tion of the Moor. In this the attitudes are excellent ;
the countenance of Othello, especially, is weedingly
felicitous, as indicating the birth of that suspicion which
so soon cankers ,into jealousy and hate. Mr. Millais,
in "The Rescue" (,282), has again favoured us with a
display of some extraordinary eccentricity ; which trait
is exemplified, in the first place, by the title of the pic-
ture, which is very vague. The subject too is ordinary
and common-place enough ; yet there is an attraction
about the work, fromeits very singularity, which impels
one towards, and to look into, it ; and it is only upon a
close examination that the meaning and purpose of the
artist becomes evident. The scene embodies one of
those stirring incidents in every-day life—a house on fire
—and the moment selected by Mr. Millais is when, the
upper part of the dwelling being enveloped in a mass of
lurid flame, a sturdy fireman has succeeded in re;cuing
couple of fine children from destruction, and is descend-
ing the stairs safely with them. At the foot, the over-
joyed mother, clad in her night dress, stretches out her
eager arms to receive them. The two boys are well
drawn, the frightened aspect of the one on
their deliverer's back, being natural and truth-
ful ; whilst the firm step and cool courageous
mien of the fireman are capitally rendered. Terror,
mingled with gratitude for the hairbreadth escape,
of the children is the feeling sought to be inspired by
these leading features and their accessories. In the latter
the artist has lost no opportunity of enhancing the
horror of the scene. The burnt night gown of the elder
boy, the perfect torrent of conflagration through which
the party apparently had to pass, and the cut ling flame
that has begun to eat its destructive way through the stair
on which the fireman is treading—all speak plainly to
the peril of the moment. In these, as in other parts of
the picture, there appears, at first sight, something akin
to exaggeration ; but the impression gives way to a feel-
ing of an-opposite kind as the picture is attentively in-,