The Sun.
London, England, 1852-10-25 00:00:00

:FINE ART,!.

Parables of our Lord. Illustrated by John Franklin.

Mitchell.

Mr. Mitchell has just published a most magnificent
volume, containing twelve line engravings from draw-
ings by John Franklin, illustrating some of the
parables of our Lord. The text and titles sire en-
graved by F. P. Becker, and the entire work is 'minted
by M'Clueen. Every possible care has been bestowed
by printer and publisher upon the work, which is in-.
deed, as we have said, magnificent. It is bound in a
richly embossed crimson cover. The paper on which
it is printed is the thickness of card-board, and the
various parables which are given at length, are in. old
English letters, and, like the ancient rubrics, in red
ink. The effect of these various embellishments is
most felicitous, but the great attraction of the work
is, of course, the illustrations. The parables selected
are, " The Merciless Servant," " The Lord of the
Vineyard," " The wicked Husband Then," " The
Faithful and Wise Servant," " The Sheep and the
Goatq," ".The Good Samaritan," " The Prodigal
Son,"ptves and Lazarus," " The Wise and Foolish
Virgins, ' and " The Good Shepherd," the two latter
having each a double illustration. The Good Shep-
herd is represented in the one instance, according to
the lines of Pope—

" The tender lambs he raises in his arms,
Feeds from his hand, and in his bosom warms;"
and in the other, "The Crucifixion" reveals the Good.
Shepherd giving his life for his sheep. The wise an d
foolish virgins are very effectively:depicted—in the crag
picture, while the wise are departing with their
lamps ready trimmee, their companions are wearily
rising from their slumbers, and wofully bewailing
the want of oil in their vessels. The second plate
is a sadly significant one the door is shut, and
the five virgins are before it ka the various attitude,‘
of weeping despair, and vehement expostulatioyi.
The "Prodigal Son," so often illustrated before, b,as
been very beautifully rendered by Mr. Franklin, rind
" The Merciless Servant" is another of his happiest
efforts. In this and many of the other Parables, our
Lord is represented as the chief character, in the
scene which he describes as the King who is shoWing
mercy to the suppliant servant, and the Lord who is
calling labourers into his vineyard. In some instances
the divine features of the Saviour have not been por-
trayed with a sufficiently careful pencil, and in others
the artist has been singtriarly fortunate. One of his,
best sketches of character is, however, the Prodigal.
Son, when he is pondering' over his position, and
solving to " arise and go to his father." Ve corm-
mend this very beautiful work to the admiration of
our readers.

LITERATURE.

The Edinburgh Review. No. CXCVI. Longman,
Already we have, more than once, commented upon
the arguments set forth in the current political articles
of our dtstinguished Whig contemporary. We have
noticed the crochetty nature of the suggestions
offered, for example, in reference to the question of
" Representative Reform," more especially in regard
to the Substitute proposed for the Ballot by the en-•
thusiastic reviewer in the Edinburgh. Again, we
have directed attention by the same means, to the
observations made by the chief of the Whig organs
when speaking of the results of the " Late Elections"
and the prospects of Free-trade, as indicated by the
position of parties in the new Parliament. Eight
other contributions of various interest diversify the
rest of the pages in the number issued for the quartet;
beginning with this present October. Scarcely any-
thing could be more generally eulogistic than the
paper—part critical and part biographical—upon.
"Joseph de Maistre :" a fact the more remarkable, be,-
cause the article is avowedly from the pen of one rj-io
differed diametrically from the author of the grZast
work "Du Pape," as a religionist. Speaking in one
last burst of panegyric, of the masterly writings of
the Comte de Maistre, the reviewer says that every
intelligent reader must rise from their perusal " in-
vigorated and refreshed?' As a Protestant, the
critic acknowledges that this great Catholic—J,aseph
de Maistre—was " one of the clearest intellects 'of the
age," and while dissenting in tato from the vast ma-
jority of his opinions, declares that he is tempted to
exclaim, " Would that he had been one of us ! An
instructive epitome is subsequently given—through
the medium of a delightful contribution of the
career of "Mr. Justice Story," one of the most enlight-
ened among the many eminent lawyers already produced
by America. Every reader of " Uncle Tom's Cabin"—
and their name is by this time, assuredly, legion—will
observe with interest the gratifying mention made of
the sympathy felt by Joseph Sbory for the unfortu-
nate negro population. His would infallibly have
been amongst the number of those warm and gentle
hearts that throb with a mingled sense of gratitude
and tenderness towards Harriet Beecher Stowe. His
principles, indeed, throughout life, were akin to
those of Clarkson end W ilberforce. Ever/
one ignorant of the mysteries of " Japan ,"
should turn to the clever chapter upon that tabooed
country here described in the _Edinburgh by one vv. to
has studied well the scanty materials supplied by `he
traveller and the Jesuit missionary. Whatever facts
of value or of curiosity were already upon record,
have, in this ingenious stricture, been collected toge-
ther and arranged with a considerable degree of
adroitness. For further particulars, as they say in
the postscript of a commercial advertisement, see, not
the prospectus, but the result of the humane expedi-
tion about to proceed against the Japanese, in obedi-
ence to the orders of the United States' Government.
Alluding to the probable results of that undertaking,,
the reviewer observes very justly and very admir.-
ably—
" The moment is rapidly drawing near when tb,ose
who have anxiously looked for the opening of this sealed
book may hope to hear more of the strange customs and
fashions of Japan. But it is not from purely literary
or fantastic considerations of this kind that we regard
with satisfaction the speedy restoration of Japan to the
comity of nations. The compulsory seclusion of the
Japanese is a wrong not only to themstives, but to the
civilized world. Every one is so far master at home,
that the law of nations has been hitherto very tender of
authorising a country to force its commerce or its society
upon another. But the rights of independent sovereignty
must be so construed as to be reconcilable with the great
principles upon which all titles of property or jurisdic-
tion ultimately depend. It is difficult to entertain a
doubt that, after so long and so patient a delay, other
nations aro justified in demanding intercourse with
Japan, as a right of which they are unjustly deprived.
The Japanese undoubtedly have an exclusive right to
the possession of their territory ; but they must not
abuse that right to the extent of debarring all other
nations from a participation in its riches and virtues,
i
The only secure title to property, whether it be in a
hovel or an empire, is, that the exclusive possession of
one is for the benefit of all."
Another reviewer, taking as the theme of his criti-
cism the remarkable fictions of William Carleton,
estimates, with no small amount of acumen, the
merits of that great national romancist, in a paper
charmingly appreciative of his " Traits of the Irish
peasantry. The gist of the whole criticism, for
blame and for praise, may be summed up in the
writer's indignant, but at the same time most enco-
miastic, inquiry, " Why will Mr. Carleton persist in
spoiling his stories—to say nothing of the needless
offence given to a large portion of his readers—by
dissertations on topics which any fourth-rate news-
paper correspondent would handle much better than
he has done, leaving that field in which he stands
without an equal among the living or the dead
There is much reason in this blame,
certainly the fullest truth in the paneyg
as there
A! is most
still graceful,
riiind Ships of
some-
what arresting paper on " Artillehry-
d Medici," appear
War," and a rather severe, thioeuge
review of " Pardoe's Life of Marie
also in the present number the Edinburgh
the subject of the " Cholera
elaborate statement upon
number which is yet furtherodistinguished by en
and Quarantine."

Agriculture. No. XX.X.VIII.
Blackwood.
ATohtehjeoquarterly organ of the agriculturists thin
useful publication continues very admirably to sus-
tain its reputation. The " Transactions" here given,
showing what has been done and written during the
past three months by members of the Highland and
Agricultural Society of Scotland, would alone be
sufficient of itself to give importance to the character
"Paerreindthiceal really;but,
prefixedvaluab le tcoontthreisbeutio‘
jtooifountrhsne, a l
,nTsratnostahc;
followedt heby authentic tabular statements re-
ferr:ng toforeign markets, to the price of
butchers' meat, of
digest of the reve wool, and of grain, and giving
nu a
e—matters of no small moment to
the great body of the agriculturists. Perhaps the
most attractive and intelligent paper in the number
before us is the additional chapter contributed by Mr. . .
Burn, upon agricultural architecture and engineering.

MR. MACAULAY, M.P.—A letter was received in
E. dinhurgh on Saturday, from Mr. Macaulay, stating his
intention to leave London on Thursday or Friday next,
on his long promised visit to his constituents. The
right honourable gentleman, however, will not address
any public meeting till the following Monday or Tuesday.
Moat probably the latter day will be fixed,. as the Mon-
day is the closing day of the series
. on which public rill-
gious services are held in connection with the halr-yearly
dispensation of the sacrament in Edinburgh. Mr. Mac-
aulay will leave Edinburgh for London on the Wednes-
day, preparatory to taking his seat in the House:of Com-
mons on the following day.
"VICEREGAL Coonx.—Their Excellencies the Earl
and Countess of Eglinton entertained on Friday nights
at a ball and supper, given in a style of
princely
at the Viceregal Lodge, upwards of GOO of the nobility
and gentry,
magnificence and hospitality. The ball was
opened shortly before ten o'clock, and dhncing was kept
up with mach spirit to m late hoar, when the company
separated highly delighted with the urbanity of their
neble hosts, and the splendour of the entertainment.

FRAN CB.

Tt is thought likely that the electors will be con.
voked from the 21st November 0 vote ; anl the Le-
islative Corpsualmone 1 fJr the 28th, to count the
lotes. In such case there would be nothing to pre-
vent the proclamation of the Empire on the 22
December. It is remarked that the flag which used
to flo It on the central pavilion of the Tuileries has on
one or two occasions been hoisted when the President
enters the Palace, and houled down when he quits it.
Tne signatures to the petitions and addresses, de-
manding the establishment of the Empire, are now
completed from th© department of the Marine; they
are said to amount to 70,466, or several thousands
more than at the election of the 10th of December.
Rumoifrs are again afloat of a Ministerial modifi-
cation. General d'Hautpoul to be the new Minister
at War, General de St. Arnaud going to Algeria as
Governor-General; M. de Horny, Minister of the
Interior; M. de Persignv, Minister of State; and, as
a matter of course, M. Fould, Minister of Finance.
The following particulars respecting the escape of
a batch of French political prisoners from Cayenne

are given in the Independence of Brussels :
" We have receivea from Paramaribo, the chief town
of Dutch Guyana, under date of September 20, a, let-
ter signed Rtboult a and of which we cannot guar-
antee the exactitude, as the signature is completely
unknown to us; but the facts that it contains ap-
pear to us to be of sufficient interest to be com-
municated to our readers. The facts are as fol-
lows: —Twelve persons transported for political of-
fences in the affair of the 2d December, to the island
of French Guyana, called file de la Meire, resolved
to attempt to recover their liberty. On the Bth of
September, at midnight, after the inspection, each of
them, provided with a small bundle containing a few
clothes and a little bread, went to a spot agreed upon on
the shore. Four boats, not guarded, were moored at a
short distance from the shore. They swam towards
them, and getting into one they cut the others adrift
in order to remove the means of pursuit. With-
out chart or compass, they ventured thus upon the
wean. For twenty-four hours they proceeded, under
a burning sun, and in the midst of the greatest peril,
without a drop of water to quench their thirst. In passing
sear the Safety Islands they were perceived, and were
*teased for five hours. The night cam© on, and the breakers
in the midst of which they were obliged to navigate, did
not permit their pursuers to come up with them. It may
be said, therefore, that they were saved by the very
danger that they risked. A few hours afterwards they
struck upon a sand bank, and but for a high wind that
came on with the tide, they would not perhaps
have been able to get clear of the bank. On the fol-
lowing day they were again chased near Sinamary.
They succeeded at length in reaching a Dutch port
called Brandewacht. At first they were taken for escaped
convicts, but they succeeded in making their real posi-
tion known. The commandant, who is of French ori-
gin, then procured for them all the assistance in his
power. After passing three days with this excellent man,
they were sent to Paramaribo, where they were in the first
instance put into prison, but subsequently put on board
the Dutch vessel the Fielding, and 48 hours afterwards
they had permission to land. It is from this town, as
we have stated, that the letter has been addressed to us
by one of the persons who escaped, and we should give it
if it were only to tranquillize the families of the persons
whose names are subjoined. The author of the letter
speaks in high terms of the kindness which he and his
companions received from the Dutch officers. They
hope that they will not be given up to the French Go-
verument; the letter even says that they have received
the assurance of the contrary in the name of the Dutch
Government. The presence in the road-stead of Para-
maribo of the French steamer the Voyageur inspir-
ed, however, 901119 uneasiness, and they had com-
municated their position to the English authori-
ties at Demerara, and also to those of the United
States. Such ore the facts communicated to us, and
of which, we repeat, wo cannot guarantee the exac-
titude. The letter, besides, gives the names and pro-
fesions of the twelve persons who made their escape,
Bud also the departments to which they belonged. They
are as follow:—S. Riboulet, professor (Jura); J. lleusse,
znerceont (Paris); J. Biolet, landowner (Allier); G.
Billiard, do. (Allier); Lemaitre, founder (Nsvre); A.
Tournaire, bootmaker (Ardeche); J. Brulat, watchmaker
(Busses-Alpes); Fh, bliaillr, seaman (Vaucluse); L.
Cadette, do. (Marseille); J. Barthelemy, baker (Basses-
Alps); Siol, coackmaker (Ardeehe.)"

MINING INTELLIGENCE.

(From the Mining Journal of Saturday.)

will be by far the finest thing ot the kind in England.
The portion of it for which contracts have been com-
pleted, and which we believe embraces only the first row
of terraces, is to cost 50,0001. Sir Joseph Paxton, in
his plan of the grounds, has judiciously preserved the
same scale of proportions as in the architecture of the
building, every dimension being a multiple of eight feet.
Harmony of combination is thus greatly promoted, while,
to show that effect will not be sacrificed, his grand ap-
proach and terrace walk will be 96 feet wide, the general
ones 48 feet, and none less than 24 feet. The Italian
garden will gradually merge into a less artificial and
more English, but still ornate style, the natural lay of
the land being less interfere i with, and the object being
to lead the eye agreeably and gently off to the survey of
the surrounding landscape. Over the whole will extend
a a system of fountains nearly five times as extensive as
those of Versailles on grand days There will be every
kind of ornamental device known in works of this sort,
and all carried out on the most splendid scale. While
the grounds become more elaborately dressed as they
approach the building, the fountains become more nu-
merous, varied, and wonderful as they recede from i'.
Supplied from great reservoirs placed on the summits of
huge towers, 256 feet high, at either end of the building,
the waters will first be seen as cascades tumbling through
the arches of the first terrace on the right and left of the
grand central archway. As they descend, instead of
passing beneath, they will appear to bound over the
archways of the lowest terrace, so that visitors may
walk under them as at Niagara. On each side of the
principal approach they will hurry along in roaring
cataracts or rapids, filling innumerable tazza shaped
fountains in their way, and at last terminating far down
in the park in two large basins, each 3801 t. broad, in tte
centre of which will be formed pyramidal fountains of
about 180 jets, the largest throwing water to the height
of 230 feet—dancing fountains around these, four in
number, rising 130 feet, and outside of them, again
16 others, going 90 feet high. There is nothing ot the
kind in the world at all approaching in magnificence
the display of waterworks contemplated by the plans at
this point. The two basins and connecting lobes on
either side of the main approach will be from end to end
2,000 feet long ; and when this is shown the full power
of a supply ot 2,000 gallons per second will be put in re-
quisition. Sir Joseph Paxton says that his two great
Pyramid Fountains will play twice as long as the
" Chanties Emirs" at Versailles. For ordinary occasions
' the display will not extend so far down, but will termi-
nate at the foot of the terraced garden in a splendid
fountain, with no immense basin, which is now in rut:-
coca of formation, and round the edge of which it is
intended that water should flow continuously in a
gigantic bell-shape. The terraced garden will also have
eight or nine other fountains, varied in their form ; and
while the lower grounds aft) laid out with illustrations
of the wonders of geology, in connected series above we
shall have fine statues in Carrara marble, and the bril-
liant colouring of the 11 swers. To show the scale on
which this last mentioned species of embellishment is to
bo carried out, it may be mentioned that 50,000 scarlet
geraniums have been ordered.
These details may help one to conceive what the
Crystal Palace Park will be when completed ; and now
to give some account of the interior arrangements of
the building which are substantially settled, and may,
therefore, be with confidence prospectively described.
The only important addition to the architectural design
since our last notice aro the lofty towers at either end,
already alluded to, and which are to be 5G feet higher
than the centre transept. They aro to consist of 10
storeys or landings, from each of which magnificent
views will he obtained, while it is expected that from
the summits which are to be reached by spiral stair-
cases, the sea will be visible. The idea of having grand
cascades from the tops of these towers has been aban-
doned. The ground plan of the interior of course resem-
bles a good deal in its main features that of the building
in Hyde-park, but the distribution into courts has been
more followed in the errangement of the space, and there
being no foreign countries to find room for, the company
have been able to deal freely with the whole area as they
thought best for the general effect. In the nave they
intend to have ornamental basins fed by fountains,
statues, specimens of architecture, and colossal sculp-
ture ; as, for instanse, Cleopatra's Needle, which there
is some reason to hope they may be able to secure. Hero,
too, at the sides, and occupying each extremity, will ho
arranged the plants which arc to form the winter gar-
den and conservatory, the interest of tho collection
being increased by an Exhibition of rare birds. Behind,
and seen on either hand through a brilliant vegetation,
will be placed—on the south side of the main transept—
the choicest specimens of textile fabrics, hardware,
minerals, &a.; on the north side a magnificent series of
-architectural reproductions, illustrating the different
schools of art from the earliest periods, and arranged
in chronological sequence. Wo shall be able to feast our
eyes upon the chiet masterpieces of by-gone ages, from
the times of the Assyrian Empire downwards, through.
the Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Norman, Me-
dimval, Renaissance, Elizabethan, French, Flemish, Ita-
lian, and all revived classical styles. As an example of
the manner iu which the succession of courts dedicated
to this purpose are to be fitted up, it may not be out of
place to describe the proposed decorations of the Assy-
rian Hall, under the superintendence of Dr. Layard and
Mr. Fergusson. The grand façade of this hall, which
will be about 100 feet by 26 feet, will be a restoration
of one of the principal entrances of the Palace of Khor-
sabad, and on either side of its chief portals will stand
a colossal bull, 19 feet high, with a human head and
wings. On either side of the advanced pylons will ho
placed back to back two bulls resembling the others, and
15 feet high. At one end of the hall will be a doer-
way entering into the nave, with casts of the
two collossal human-headed and winged lions, 16
feet high, which Layard brought from Nim-
road. On the side walls, between the pylons and the
end of the facade, will be bas-relies of Assyrian deities
and kings and ministering priests, about 10 feet high.
Th 3 walls of the interior, to about half their height,
will be covered with scenes representing battles, sieges
and triumphs, religious ceremonies and the chase.
These will be cast from the most interesting Assyrian
sculptures in the British Museum and the Louvre, or
modelled from the works of Dr Layard and M. Botta,
and will portray many of the most remarkable events in
the reigns of Shalmaneser, Sennacherib, and other great
kings. It is quite unnecessary to dilate upon the mag-
nificent effect which such renovations, carried down with
the tide of civilisation from race to race and from ago
to age, must possess; but the public may be fairly con-
gratulated on the prospect now held out that the chief
relics of the mighty past are at length to ho arrayed in
due order before the million, and, instead of being buried
in museums, will be made to show intelligibly the genius
that inspired them and the conditions of society which
they illustrate. To render this department of the new
Palace as perfect as possible, Owen Jones and Digby
Wyatt have been making a tour of the Continent, with
full powers to collect the finest illustrations of ancient
and modern art that they can obtain. With one excep-
tion, everywhere in France and Italy they have had the
greatest facilities liberally afforded to them; and they
report to the board, on quitting the latter country, that
they have effected contracts for 1,472 objects.
At Naples alone have Messrs Wyatt and Jones met
with any difficulty. They had set their hearts upon
Obtaining there casts of some of the most interesting
objects in the Museo Borbonico, and s.lso at Pompeii;
but the authorities, probably ill-informed as to the pur-
pose of their mission, met them with a refusal.
The Ethnological
pany
acollection
icuriosities
department is progressing sa-
tisfactorily. Dr.•
iem
tbithsas of
offered theAfric
s promised
illustrating th the
cotrthe
habits 20 tribes, and Major Codringe
n
0 display of Indian armour.
In the zoological sectie
a the arrangements are also well
advanced. Steps have been take for the exbibition of
fish on an entirely
new principle, and through the kind-
ness of Mr. Bowerbanle, of
urconsented to show his fine collectiouiYlf-gsr;ovnega,wthiloo dis-
play
19-
play of marine farina promises to be very interesting.