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

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. Coomans, 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 28 feet by 20 feet ; and this extended surface
has afforded the artist the most 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
effect. In order to obtain an accurate representation of '
the spot, as well as a faithful description of the battle
M. Coomans proceeded to the Esst 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 at the 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 his lord hip, whilst cheering on the men at that
exciting juncture, appears undisturbed by a shell then
exploding at his feet ; and thi, 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 t i he admirable. In the
middle plan the English battalions are mounting the
steeps in firm and unbroken order, no withstanding 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 is 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, Indianian,
and Noi thumberlaud, 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.)burg
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. Milnes 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 AMERICAN MAILS.-LIVERPOOL, Saturday.—The
British and North American Royal Mail steamship
America, Captain W. J. C. Lang, sailed this afternoon
for Boston and Halifax, with the usual mails for the
United States and British possessions in North America,
159 passengers, and a full cargo of merchandise on
freight. The United States mail steamer, Pacific, Capt.
E. Nye, with advises from New York to the 2d inst.,
may be expected to arrive to-morrow morning,