The Sun.
London, England, 1849-12-28 00:00:00

THE COSMORAMA.

The views under this old established name are
among the " sights " worth patronising by the folks
liberated for the time being from the toils of busi-
ness. The exhibition in Regent street has the merit
of being, perhaps, the oldest in the metropolis, some
thirty or forty years having passed away since it first
invited the public to gaze through its illusive aper-
tures. The subjects continue to he the same as those
we have before eulogised, consisting of Venice, Rome,
St. Peter's, Athens, Jerusalem, Switzerland, Kams-
chatka, and the Egyptian deserts. The painting of
these views is admirably adapted for the enlargement
to which they are subjected by the glass media
through which they are surveyed, and in some cases
are really clever and spirited works of art. They are
not in all cases simple pictures, but certain dioramic
effects are introduced—such as the flame flickering at
the crater of the burning mountain—the water fall-
ing in the Alpine scenery, &c.—which materially
enhance the interest. The unobtrusive character of '
these fluctuating accessories gives an air of natural
and inartificial truthfulness which works of this mimic
class too often want.

THE PANORAMA.
Probably none of the paintings which have been
successively exhibited in groups within Mr. Burford's
pleasant circles in Leicester-square, are so fraught
with interest as those which are now on view. Since
the last holiday time the Valley of Cashmere has been
introduced as a subject, and nothing could have been
more felicitously chosen. The scenery so vividly
described in the enchanting pages of Lalla Rookh is
represented in all its natural beauty, and a transcript
of one of the most varied spots on the surface of the
earth presented to the spectator, who has hitherto
enjoyed but an ideal perception of its true aspect.
The pencil of Mr. Burford has never been more suc-
cessfully employed than in realising the external fea-
tures of this delicious locality, and while it affords a
pleasing variety of character, contrasted with the
former subjects which have occupied the same apart-
ment, it merits the warmest panegyric as a work of
art. The artists of this establishment stand alone in
the execution of these circular scenes, long habit
having given them a key to the true methods of
achieving upon the "round" effects both pictorial and
deceptive. Of the ruins of Pompeii nothing new is
to be said, for this view has long since ceased to be a
novelty. Nevertheless, the records of the City of the
Dead, depicted after certain drawings derived from a
personal visit to the exhumed streets, are of undecay-
ing interest. Travellers are seldom envied more than
when relating the impressions they experience during
a saunter through these singulbr ruins, which are
invested with all the sentiment of the grave without
its repulsiveness, and unfold a surface of national
characteristics which for 2,000 years were simple
matters of history. The skill of the artist establishes
the best possible idea of the present state of the city,
and the actual appearance of its streets and architec-
ture; therefore a visit to this section of the Panorama
is as instructive to the mind as it is pleasureable to
the mere sense of curiosity. The view of Switzer-
land challet,ges an equal amount of commendation,
and kindles sympathy upon the same grounds. Both
are representations of great artistic merit, and
worthily justify the celebrity which has for so long a
period belonged to the name of Burford.