The Sun.
London, England, 1864-02-18 00:00:00

WILLIAM DYCE, R.A.

The announcement of the death of William Dyce in the
prime of life will shock those who are not aware that the
great artist has been in feeble health for a lorg time past.
Mr. Dyce has been suffering for months from ohronic bron-
chitis, but died at last from cancer of a most painful and
distressing nature.
William Dyce was born at Aberdeen in 1806. His father
was Dr. William Dyce. F.R.S.E., and his cousin is the
Rev. Alexander Dyce, the weil-known editor of Beaumont
and Fletcher, and Marlowe, and the Shakaperian Commen-
tator, author of tin Lives of Shakapere, Pope, Akenside,
and Beattie. William Dyce took the degree of M.A. at
Marischal College, Aberdeen, at the early age of 16, and it
may be added that he was known through life as a polished
scholar and able writer. Indeed, at the age of 22, in 1828,
he wrote a paper on electro• magnetism which obtained the
Blackall prize at Aberdeen.

After taking his degree he entered at the Royal Scottish
Academy, and made his first appearance as a classical artist
at one of the exhibitions. In 1825 he visited Italy, and for
9 months studied in Rome, returning in the following year
to Aberdeen, where he decorated a room in his father's house
in the arabesque style. In 1827 appeared his "Bacchus
nursed by the Nymphs )f Nyse," which was exhibited at
the Royal Academy, sill in the same year he went again to
Rome. At Rome Mr. Dyce imbibed those habitsof reverent
and solemn study of religious subjects which distinguished
him through life—witnEss his " Madonna and Child," pro-
duced in 1828. From 1130 to 1838 the artist lived in Edin-
burgh, but, finding sma.l encouragement in his attempts at
historical painting, he se: himself to work at portrait pain t-
ing, and was successful, especially in the likenesses of chil-
dren. In 1835 he became an associate of the Royal Scot-
tish Academy, and in the following year exhibited his
"Descent of Venus" at the Royal Academy, London.

In 1833 Mr. Dyce left Edinburgh on being appointed
superintendent and secretary of the new Government
School of Design, at Somerset House. He obtained the
office through a letter adiressed to Lord Meadowbank, in
which he advocated the improvement of the schools of de-
signs belonging to the board of trustees for the manfactures
of Edinburgh. Shortly after his appointment he was sent
by Government to France, Prussia, and Bavaria for the
purpose of procuring information on matters relating to his
new duties, and his report (1840) led to the remodelling of
the London Schools of Design.

In 1839 he produced " St. Dunstan separating Evary and
Elgiva" (Royal Academy). In 1840, " Titian Teaching
Irene de Spilembergo." In 1841 he exhibited at the
British Institution " The Christian's Yoke." In 1843 he
produced "Jessica." In 1843 he resigned his appointment
at the School of Design and was appointed Inspector of the
Provincial Schools. In 1844 Mr. Dyce was elected A.R.A.,
and exhibited a picture of " King Joash Shooting the Arrow
of Deliverance," which picture made Mr. Dyce's reputa-
tion.

When, on the invitation of the Government, the leading
artists of England were asked to join in a project for deco-
rating the Houses of Parliament with frescoes, Mr. Dyce
waa associated with Mr. Alaclise, Mr. Cope, Mr. Horsley,
Tenniel, and Mr. E. Armitage. The picture which
procured Mr. Dyce's engagement was that of the "Conse-
cration of Archbishop Parker in Lambeth Palace Chapel in
1559," which was exhibited at Westminster.
Mr. Dyce's work in the Houses of Parliament has been
the subject of very unpleasant discussion in artistic circles
and in the Houseof Commons, on which it is not necessary
to remark in this place. No doubt ill health prevented
Mr. Dyce from campleting his contract, but as soon as he
found himself incapable of fulfilling it he returned the
money which he had received on account. He had, how-.
ever, done some noble work. His "Baptism of EtJaelbert"
in the House of Lords was universally admired. Then he
was engaged to paint in the Queen's robing-room "The
Legends of King Arthur." He engaged to d o this in eight
years, and began his work in 1848. He has only done a few
of the pictures—on the west wall a picture of " Religion
or, the Vision of Sir Percival and his Company." " Gene-
rosity" was represented by King Arthur, unhorsed, spared
by his adversary, end Sir Tristam represented " Courtesy."
On the north wall there is a picture of " Mercy," but there
are great omissions on the walls—two
paintings on the
east and one on the north side, besides friezes on all foursides.

Mr. Dyce has been engaged in ornamenting the royal
palaces, Buckingham Palace, and Osborne. The late Prince
Cousort invited Mr. Dyce, with Sir C. Eastlake, Sir E
Landseer, Mr, Ross, Mr. Maclise, Mr. U wins, Mr. Leslie,
and Mr. Stanfield, to ilustrate Milton's "Comas."
In 1846 Mr, Dye° exhibited, at the Royal Academy,
"The Madonna and Child;" and in 1847 he produced
" Neptune giving the Empire of the Sea to Britannia," for
the late Prince Consort. It
is impossible to give any de-
tails of Mr. Dyce's work at length. He was made R.A. in
1848. The names of his pictures only need be given—
" Ginnie Vanitas (1849), the Meeting of Jacob and
Rachel," " Lear and the Fool" (1851), " Christabel"
(1853), "The Good Shepherd" (1856), " Titian's First
Essay in Colouring" (1357), "The Man of Sorrows," and
" St. John leading home his Mother" (painted in 184 4),
and revised in 1851) ; Pegwell Bay" (a wonderfully fine
landscape picture), and "George Herbert at Bemerton "
Exhibition of 1861).
(one of the most deservedly popular in the Royal Academy

Mr. Dyce his recently been known chiefly for his splen-
did fresc)es in All Saints', Margaret-street. To this work
he devoted all his exertions for many years, and he has
succeeded in producing an artistic work, unique of it s
kind, Which will hand clown its author's name to
posterity as one of the first artists in England.
Every Londoner knows this splendid work of art in the
centre the Madonna and Child, the Twelve Apostles, six cn
each side, and, above all, " the Lord enthroned." From
Mr. Dyce's designs a stained glass window (the choristers'
window) has been erected in Ely Cathedral, and another in
Alnwiek Church, in memory of the late Duke of Northum-
berland.

Mr. Dyce has held the office of Professor of the Theory
of the Fine Arta in King's College, London, and was a
member of the Academy of Fine Arts of Philadelphia, U.S.,
and an honorary academician of his old alma mater, the
Royal Scottish Academy.
Mr. Dyce was not only a distinguished artist, but he was
an accomplished scholar and an able critic. It has been
said that in his earlier years he wrote an essay on" Electro
Magnetism." Ile has not only directed attention to
scientific purposes—in 1843-4 he published a gorgeous
edition of the " Book of Common Prayer," with its ancient
" Canto Fermo," to which he added an essay on that kind
of music, and it applicability to English words.
Mr. Dyce was one of the most conscientious and pains-
taking artists of his day. He used his great powers for
religious purposes, and the Established Church owes him
a large debt of gratitude for his persistent devotion of his
talents to her service,

SACRED HARMONIC SOCIETY.--EXETER HALL.—
Handel's eraterio " lentet iiitgYpi,B3 so well knovht from
itt magnificent double chorusses, will bo performed at
Exeter H to-morr)w (FridaP Pv euift
• T
"
DESTRUCTION OP COLT'S IS_OL _ ANUFACT ORT.
—A letter from riartford, Connecticut, dated Feb.
5, says One half of the factory of the Colt's American
Arms Company was destroyed this mdfiliag. In the
building destroyed, Colt's pistols and revolving rifles
were manufactured. In the buildings saved, the United
States rifles are manufactured, the company having a
large connect from the Government for the manufacture
of these weapons. This portion of the works will con-
tinue in operation, giving employment to 800 men, Tha
stock of pistols and rifles completed and in process of manu-
facture, which was destroyed by this fire, is valued at a mil-
lion of dollars. The machinery destroyed cost more than
half a million ; and the whole loss is estimated at two mil•
lions. The total insurance on tho property is 660,000 dole,
of which about 60 per cent was on the property destroyed.
Nearly 900 men are thrown out of employment. The fire
broke out in the drying-room in the attic, and spa iad with
great rapidity. The origin of the fire is a mystery;, One
man was Wed, and another is 6011 missing,

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

LREUTER'S TELEGRAMS.]

AMERICA.
Per the Nova Scotian, via Greencastle.
NEW YORK, FEE. 6, 3 P.M.

(By Telegraph to Portland.)

The Nashville Union says that the Federal army
has crossed the Tennessee River near Larkins-
villa, and surmises that its object may be to at-
tack Rome, Georgia.
The Judge of the Admiralty Court at Halifax
has decided to restore the Chesapeake and cargo
to the owners, subject to conditions respecting
the payment of such expenses as the Attorney-
General may exact.

The Attorney-General demands a surety against
latent claims, but the owners of the Chesapeake
demur to this.
COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
(Per the Nova Scotian via Greencastle.)
NEW YORK, FEB. 6, 3 r,m.

Money easy. Gold, 58a per cent premium.
Stocks firm and advancing, market very excited.
New York Centrals, 1332 ; Illinois, 132; Erie, 111 ;
6 per Cent. United States Bonds, 107 i.
All other markets unchanged.

THE WAR IN SCHLESWIG.

COPENHAGEN, FEB. 17.

The Government have published the regula-
tions for the blockade of the ports of the enemy.
Count Hamilton, Swedish Minister at Copen-
hagen, has been summoned to Stockholm to con-
sult with his Government.

The enemy in Sandbjerg, and the Danes in
Boehave, fired at each other across the Sound
without effect.

REPORT OF GENERAL VON GABLENZ,
VIENNA, FEB. 15.

The following is an extract from a report by
General von Gablenz, commanding the Austrian
troops in Schleswig. The report is dated :--
"Austrian Headquarters, Froerup, Feb. 10.

"After the engagement at Oversee upon the 6th,
and the exhaustive marches attendant upon the
pursuit to Flensburg, in the most trying season of
the year, it became necessary to grant the troops a
few days of rest, and to bring them under shelter
after several days of bivouac.

" The Prussian Guards division was to advance
towards Apenrade on the 9th, at the same time
occupying Gavenstein, to reconnoitre Duppel from
that point. The quarters in Flensburg, vacated by
this movement, will be occupied by troops of the
6th Corps.

" Since the last engagements the public feeling
in Schleswig is enthusiastic for Austria and the
Imperial army. It was intended by the inhabitants
of Flensburg to prepare a festive reception for the
Austrian troops.

" Seven waggons were sent from Kiel with re-
freshments for the Imperial troops and the head-
quarters, and supplies were also forwarded to the
headquarters by the Hamburgers.
" The rural population, in spite of its apparent
phlegmatic apathy, is willing to give assistance.
The peasants were especially kind to the numbers
of wounded, who were at first necessarily left without
sufficient aid, as fhe medical establishment and field
hospitals, left behind in the positions before the Dan-
newerke, were unable to follow the extraordinarily
rapid advance of the troops with the requisite speed.
The wounded are now partly under careful treat-
ment in Newmiiaster, partly in Rendsburg and
Schleswig. In the latter town the establishments
have been given into the care of civilians. Professor
Esmareb, of the Kiel Universicy, with all the sur-
geons of that institution, hastened to Schleswig,
and undertook the surgical treatment of the sufferers
with as much readiness as skill. Saxon surgeons
have also arrived from Rendsburg, where 15 of
their number had volunteered for service in the
hospitals. The superintending staff surgeon of the
army corps has further made arrangements for the
engagement of civilian hospital nurses, and the
arrival of field-hospital No. 12 is daily expected in
Schleswig.
" The spirit of the troops, in spite of all their
hardships, remains excellent. The men bear fatigue
cheerfully and without a murmur, and look forward
to the coming engagement with courage and hope.
They have shown themselves, without exception,
worthy of the confidence placed in them.
"After the engagement at Oversee, the com-
mander of the corps remarked touching instances of
military comradeship. He met imperial soldiers
carrying a wounded Dane, while a few steps further
on were encountered Danish prisoners carrying
wounded Austrians.

"Snow has fallen incessantly for the last three
days, and it is to be apprehended that the commu-
nication, already greatly obstructed, will be entirely
interrupted in places by the heavy drifts."