The Sun.
London, England, 1864-05-24 00:00:00

Selous9

!ho crucifixion "

One of the most magnificent paintings ever ex
hibited in the metropolis is now on view at the
Egyptian Hell, Piccadilly. Of all subjects the
Crucifixion is the most solemn, and to attempt the
scene is a bold step after the productions of the
ancient masters. According; to the ordinary ac-
cepted types of the Crucifixion the Baeiour is re-
presented either in the agonies of death, or as being
dead and removed from the Cross ; but in the pre-
sent instance the scene illustrated is that solemn
moment when the cry was uttered " It is finished,"
and while due predonainence is given to the figure
of Our Lord and the two malefactors, the effectlin
the crowd attracted to the place of execution is the
leading feature of the painting—the strong contrast
between the believer in the Son of God, and those
who were only present to mock aed deride him.
the time chosen for illustration is the ninth hour,
when the veil of the Temple was rent in twain, anti
when the darkness which had prevailed from the sixth
hoar is beginning to disperse. On the right of the pic-
ture the dark and angry sky is torn asunder by light-
ning flashes, the sun is seen struggling through the
lowering obscuration, and a powerful stream of re`
fulgent light, gleaming through a rifted cloud, falls
upon the dead body of the Saviour, illuminating
also the body of the thief, to whom He promised
paradise, while the head of the other who mocked
Him is averted, and he is left in outer darkness. In
the foreground are various figures, but the central
group at once attracts the attention. It is com-
posed of the Virgin Mary, Mary Magdalene, and
John, the former—overcome by the scene she 110
witnessed—being led away in a half conscious state
by the two latter. There are also Mary the mother
of Joses, Herod Antipas in his golden armour, the
centurions, the soldiers casting lots for the gar-
ments, the chief priests, Jews disputing, and many
others. The visitor 'A ill also recognise many of the
remarkable characters mentioned in the New Tes-
tament, and others who are presumed to have been
present, such, for instance, as the Syro-Pbeenician
woman whose child Jesus healed, Nicodemus,
Joseph of Arimathea, the executioner and his
assistant all being dispersed by the soldiery
in order to remove as quickly as possible
all traces of the scene. One feature in
the picture it may be worth while to allude to,
as many may think that the subject is treated with
more fancy than truthfulness. We refer to the
bright colour of the garments worn by the figures
in the foreground, and the lightness of the hair of
the Jewish men aind women. The former give to
the picture at first sight a gay and festive appear-
ance, which seems not to accord with the death
scene, but it is nevertheless a truthful adherence to
the customs and habits of the East, which enhances
the historical value of the picture. It is not less
interesting to know that whilst here we associate
dark hair with the Hebrew race, in Jerusalem
itself, and throughout the East, where the general
population are dark, they are distinguished by the
golden hair we associate with the Saxon race. The
walls and lofty buildings of Jerusalem extend from
left to right as a background to the whole, and
above which rises the Mount of Olives, Such an
historical record as this is most desirable, il-
lustrating the costumes and habits of an
age long past, and the city of which Our
Lord hes so frequently spoken, and over
which He so bitterly lamented. We usually view
such a subject as prepared for a display of religious
and devout expression only; but, on reflection, this
work will awaken remembrance of the degradation
Christ endured for our sakes, and excite our wonder
how that, whilst with one word He could have
smitten His persecutors to infinite nothing, yet for
the love to us He bore all this with patience, and
even prayed for His enemies, "Father, forgive
them, for they know not what they do."
Mr. Solous, the artist, is widely known as the
painter of Mr. Burford's panoramas of Ancient end
Modern Jerusalem, and other works, but "The
Crucifixion" far more evokes our praise, surpassing
as it does in grandeur, detail, and research, all his
previous efforts.
A very admirable description of the picture is
given by Mr. J. Bowden, the curator, at twelve,
two, and four o'clock every day, at one of which
hours we recommend our readers to visit the
Egyptian Hall.

King Leopold has returned to Laeken soddenly
from Ardenoe, in consequence of the confioeme,nt of
the Duchess of Brabant. The infant Princess has
received the names of Stephanie-Clotilde-Louise-
Hermine-Marie-Charlette.
The weather has undergone a very considerable
change in Paris since the thunderstorm on Satur-
day, The heat has disappeared, and last night
was positively chilly.
The Carman Barrier, his wife, and Couchot, who
were so dreadfully burnt three days since by the
explosion of benzine in the Rue do Charonne, all
died on Saturday morning, so that, of the seven
persons injured, but one now survives.
ANGLING IN TEIE THAMES.—A few days since a
gentleman, fly fishing at Sunbury, hooked a hand-
some trout of 911 b, and the same evening one of 71b was
taken at the same place in spinning. At Penton Hook,
Weybridge, Walten, Mon!soy, and Teddington a consider-
able number of trout, from 6lb to 101 b, have been recently
captured ; ons of 911 b was caught with the spoon bait at
Penton Hook. The weir at Sunbury was never known to
be so full of trout of about 61b, and throughout th© river
considerable quantities of this fish, of one and two years old.
have been seen, thus exhibiting a manifest increase by means
of fish hatching. A grayling of llb 9oz was taken last
month near Chertsey, and new forms one of the specimens
of Thames fish at the Cripplegate Society of Anglers. This
is a proof that the efforts of the Thames Angling Preserva-
tion Society, with reference to grayling, are succeeding.
THE REV. C. H. SPURGEUN.—A report has been
very extensively circulated that Mr. Spurgeon will
shortly leave his church and congregation for several
months, to enable him to visit the Holy Land and various
other places. On Sunday evening last the rev. gentleman,
after alluding to the rumour, in the most unqualified
manner contradicted the truth of it. He said that the time
would come, perhaps, when he should require two or three
months' relaxation, but certainly not this year. His object
in thus publicly alluding to the subject just now was, that
as there were many visitors to London at this season of the
year who came to worship with his people, this announce-
ment would set aside all doubt. He intended to be absent not
more than one Sabbath at a time for some time to come.
ORDNANCE SURVEY DEPARTME N T.—A return
has been published showing the cost of the Ordnance Sur-
vey Department from the year 1791 to March 31, 1864.
The total cost, including the pay of officers, and every other
contingency has been £2,991,624. In the five years from
1851, we find an item of £39,495 as the cost of publication
of the maps, whien seems more than covered by the sale
and presentation of maps. The net receipts from this sale
paid into the Exchequer during the last six years has been
£32,850, and maps to the value of £17,319 have been issued
to public departments, making a total value of £50,169 sold
and presented. The cost of Landed Estates Court Surveys
in Ireland, amounting to £8,920, will be repaid into the
Exchequer.
RESTORATION OF THE APPARENTLY DROWNED.
--The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty have
ordered 1,000 copies of the new instructions now being
issued by the National Life-boat Institution for the restora-
tion of the apparently dead from drowning to be supplied
to her Majesty's navy, and the commodore comptroller
general of the coast-guard has also ordered 600 of them to
be used throughout the coast-guard servi.
DETERMINED SUICIDE.—Yesterday afternoon a
tailor, named Bradley, residing at Southsea, walked into a
barber's shop in Brunswick-road, seized a razor, and cut his
throat in such a shocking manner as to cause almost instan-
taneous death. Deceased bad been drinking.
THE ALLEGED ROBBERY OF POLISH BONDS.—
This case was brought before Mr. Justice Mellor in
Chambers yesterday. It was en action by M. Malherbe
against the Russian Consul-General De Berg to recover
£400,000 in respect to certain Polish Bends which the
plaintiff alleged belonged to him, but which had been de-
tained in London by the agents of defendant on the
ground that they had been stolen from the Imperial
Treasury at Warsaw. Application was now made on
the part of the defendant to plead several matters, awl
to remove the -crate from Middlesex to London. A dis-
cussion took place on the fifteen pleas tendered on the
part of the defendant, and as to leave to demur on the part
of the plaintiff to change the venue. The alleged rob-
bery had been the subject of an inquiry at the Guildhall
Police-court. His lordship allowed the pleas with leave
to demur, and changed the venue from Middlesex to
London.
Persons in debt may obtain instant protection agains
imprisonment or seizure of their goods, and an entire release
from all debts and liaLilities without publicity, by application
to Messrs. Marshall, solic.tors of the Court of Bankruptcy,
Charges under £5 payable by easy instalments. 011iees—
(established 1830), 12,1latton-garden. City branch M.oor
gate-street, Bank.—B.DT T.