The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1820-05-11 00:00:00

THE SCULPTURE.

There are fewer works in the Sculpture-room this year
than there were in the last, but we are glad to slate, that
what are now exhibited drew au evident improvement in thus
most difficult branch of art. That improvement is nut alone
confined to busts, which, like portraits, are in greater de-
mend, but it is displayed in a higher and more meritorious
elation of art; we find it in the poetical subjects which now
adorn this department of the Exhibition, and in a branch of
study, the cultivation of whirl, is now more than ever de-
sirable, as we live in times when the gratitude of the nation
is called upon to commemorate, by sculptural works, some
of the brightest epochs of oar history. At the head of the
works in the Sculpture-room, we uudoubledly place Mr.
Bat Lei's Itre at the Fountain

" As I bent down to look, just nppusite,
A simile wahin the wat'ry gleam appear'd,
Bending to look un me : I started back ;
It started back ; but pleased, 1 soon returned ;
Healed, it returu'd as noon with answering looks
Of sympathy sad lure "
(Milton's Paradise lost, B. IV.)

The Artist has in his personification of throw beautiful
lines sheen • justness of conception and delicacy of feel.
ing, which at once stamp hint a ulster in his art. Ills at-
tempt was indeed a bold one, for lie undertook to give to the
eye a palpable represeotalion of that fine form just
street from the Creator's hand, in all the perfection of
primeval beauty. What is the standard of that original
form must to us be purely ideal—the cations of eta
proportion must be in the Artives uwti mind, and his
mace's. in the delineation must depend on the eor•'
redeem of his judgment and purity of his lute; fur
though individual nature eau furnish him with materials

for his observation, yet it is upon the hippy selection and
judicious eosabinetion of those materials, is fact, upon the
use which the Artist stews he can wake of then, tint his
character noun be tailwind. la the figure of Ere. Mr.
BAILICT has gives us the finest form and synosseto), with
as angelic expression of features, and an attitude natural
and graceful. The first sight of her own shadow reflected
through "the wst'ry gleam," Peens at once to gladden and
sisrprin her—it gives her the first ides of the existence of
say being, and her pure pe►ceptiuss, struck at the novelty
and grace of the reflected object, are at once attracted by its
loveliness and beauty.
Mr. CIIMITRY is, as usual, prenniinent in his Busts; he
has also a figure of a Sieepkg CAIN, which has all the
truth and delicacy of nature. Like the sleeping children on
the monument executed by him two or three years ago, and
now in Litchfield Cathedral, it conveys at once to us the
representation of innocence and the stillness of intention
beauty.

Illgeratacovi bee an alto reliever in marble, representing
Hero and Leander. The adventurous lover is received by
the object of his idolatry as be steps out of the water, and
the Artist represents him as nearly overcome with fatigue.
The forms are good, hut the drapery Is rather mannered and
too systematic in its folds.
FLAX/SA/II has a basso-reliera in marble for St. John's
Church, Manchester. It is intended to repre-ent Religions
Inetruellott, and the figures are those of children in the act
of receiving-it. They are in the ordinary dress of the day,
which is unfavourable for the display of that skill in sculp-
ture which Mr FLAXMAN so eminently possesses.
Koss! has a large sketch for a group, representing Cran-
don and Amelia, from Trouson's u Sonsirus," which is very
prettily designed.

There is is the room a h•lfsiar group, representing
A Nymph playing frith Cupid, by Mr. Heerrasaw, who,
if we do out mistake, had • tine figure of Achilles in the
last Exhiljitiun. The Artist represents • Nymph disarming
Cupid, who appears clinging to her in • supplicating mti-
!ode, imploring the return of his arrow, of which idie had
just despoiled him, while she beholds his efforts with ma air
of triumph, and enjoys, with a playful smile, the perpleaily
she has caused. There is • pleasing harmony in the group-
ing, and a fleshy softness and delicate symmetry in the
figures. The expression of the boy is full of innocence, and
his efforts to regain his lost arrow are blended with all the
tenderness of supplication.
There are many other works in this Exhibition well
worthy of attention, when we have time and space to re-
sume the subject.

TO MR. BOWLINE.
(VIDE BRITISH PRICH OF 8111 MT.)

DWI Toff—The truth of the old and common adage,
" Many men are of many minds," is once more illustrated
by the different feeling produced in you and me by the dream
of one of the executioners on • ate occasion. Now I hap.
pencil to bear the account read at the Ship, iu %Tapping,
" where Tars meet in such jolly parties," and it was under-
stood by •Il present to be an assumed character, calcu-
lated to display the fearless daring courage for which
English sailors are famed all over the world, but nut intend-
ed to insult, injure, or degrade them.
Your loving Cousin,
/I ay 9. JACK JUNK.