The Sun.
London, England, 1847-12-20 00:00:00

N. J. CROWLEY, R. H. A.

From an interesting article on " Modern Art,"
which appears in The Lady's Newspaper, we extract
the following particulars relative; to this distinguished
artist :—Mr. Crowley is a native of Dublin, and was
educated, first in the Royal Dublin' Society, and
.afterwards in the Royal Hibernian Academy, of
which he was wade an as-ociate in. 1837, and sh9rtly
after that an academician. In the same year he was
commissioned by the Royal Belfast Academical In•
stitute to paint for them a portrait of the Marqui,i of
Normanby, then Earl of Mulgrave, and Lord-Lieu-
tenant of Ireland. In 1839 he came to reside in
London, having previously, in 1835, exhibited in our
Academy here " The Eventful Consultation' " whose
merit attracted the critical Dr. Waagen, and induced
him, in his work upon " Art and Artists in England,"
to.rank the young,painter amongst the celebrities of
English art. To Mr. Crowley we owe the
,best
trait we possess. of Power, the comedian, painted in
three characters, " The Gentleman," " The Natural,"
and " The Farmer," from MrS. S. C. Hall's drama
of " The Grovei of Blarhey," which haS been since
engraved. "The Blot on the Scutcheun," a magnifi-
cent painting illustrative of a marriage incident •in
the Desmond. Family, and recently lithographed by
Lynch, upon a scale and with a superiority of execu-
tion hitherto unaccomplished, is also the work of this
artist. • . , _

. .
Next, we may . enumerate "Cup Tossing," pur•
chased and engraved by the Irish Art Union. This
picture is a perfect gem in modern art, and richly
deserves the European notoriety it has already
obtained.

While O'Connell was in prison Mr. Crowley was
called to Dublin, to paint " The Liberatqr, and
succeeded in producing the most characteristic por-
trait ever painted of the great Irish agitator. Its
truthfulness was at once so remarkable and pleasing,
that it elicited an autograph letter from O'Connell,
expressive of his unqualified admiration of the pic-
ture, as a likeness, and a work of art.
Mr. Crowley has only arrived at that period of life
which, with others, is the starting point of fame : his
popularity, there'ore, may be fairly considered as in-
dicative of future greatness. Still we canna close
this cursory notice of his industry and talent without
expressing a hope that the brilliancy of his past career
will tend rather to stimulate fresh efforts than induce
that apathetic satisfaction and quiet indifference,
which so often retards the Irishman when he has
achieved a prominent position.

COURT-MARTIAL ON LIEUTENANT CROWTHER, OF
THE 63D REGIMENT.—The trial of Lieutenant W. G. L.
Crowther, of the 63d Regiment, which commenced at
Chatham Barracks on Tuesday, the 14th instant, ter-
minated, so far as the examination of witnesses is con-
cerned, on Saturday, Colonel Middleton, commandant
of the cavalry depot at Maidstone, was president of the
court ; Captain J. S. Wood, major of brigade, acted as
deputy judge-advocate ; and Mr. Prall, solicitor; of
Rochester, attended on behalf of the accused. There
were four
_charges against the prisoner, preferred by
Lieutenant-Colonel Ycile, his commanding officer:-1.
For neglect of duty, in not obeying the orders of his
commanding officer. 2. In stating that he was present,
and had complied with the orders that were given. 3.
For stating that he inspected the bread and meat issued
to the several messes of the regiment. •4. For making
a false report, and certifying that he was present during
the whole inspeotion and serving such messes of the
regiment. The prisoner asked till Tuesday to prepare
his defence. The president accordingly notified that
the court would again assemble on that day, at 11 o'clock.
CLERICAL MOVEMENT IN FAVOUR OF THE ABOLI-
TION OP "INTRAMURAL INTERNENTS.---A short time
since a deputation from the metropolitan clergy
waited upon Lord Morpeth, as Chief Commis
sioner of the Health of Towns Commission, with
. reference to intramural interments. In answer ,to the
questfon, whsther it was the intention of the Govern-
ment to introduce, any measure this session to enforce
the'abolition of intramural burial, his Lordihip said, that
at present the Government was not prepared with any
definite measure, and that he would be happy to receive
from the clergy any suggestion calculated to promote a
beneficial arrangement of the matter in an equitable ad-
justment of the claims of the various incumbents. In
consequence of this interview with Lord Morpeth, a
variety of meetings of the reverend gentlemen interested
in ecclesiastical property have been held, the Beau of
Manchester in the chair; the result of which is, that an
application will be made to Parliament for a loan of
money sufficient to enable the united body of the metro-
politan clergy to purchase a quantity of land in the
environs of the metropolis for the purpose of forming
catacombs and cemeteries for the reception of the dead.
From a point, of which St. Paul is to be the centre, divi-
sions are to be struck to the outer line of a circle em-
bracing all the parishes, to which burial grounds will be
attached. Another portion of the plan in contemplation
is to purchase the interest of existing companies and the
repayment of the loan, to be made within a given term,
upon the security of the various livings.—Observer.
DELIVERING LETTERS ON SUNDAY.—The " panic"
caused among the employes of the Post-office by the,
recent arrangements made to forward the bags which
arrive on the Sabbath, instead of burying them in the
archives of the office for four.und.twenty,hours, has sub-
sided, and that large establishnient now wears its wonted
peaceable clemeanour.—Civil and Mereantik Journa4

THE. LATE MR. LISTON.
We have 'been favoured with the following hiogra-
p!lical sketch of the late distinguished surgeon :
Robert Liston' was the son of a clergyman of the
established Church. of Scotland, the Rev. Henry
Liston, minister of Ecclesmachau, in the county of
Linlithgow. He was born on the 28th of
October, 1794. After completing the usual
academical and professional course of edu-
;cation, he became a graduate of the Royal
Colleges of Surgeons of Edinburgh and London,
and established himself in the former city in the
year 1817. Ile delivered lectures, first on anatomy,
and afterwards on surgery, from 1822 to 1834.
He speedily rose into eminence both as a
lecturer tied an operator,' and in this latter capa-
city it is well known that in the history of sur-
gery he had few rivals and no superior. He
was a most ardent, anxious, and indefatigable
student of anatomy—he attained a knowledge of
that science which rendered his operations safe and
gave him full assurance that he was intimately ac-
'quainted with the wonderful mechanism of the vari-
ous regions which formed the scene of his labours. Nor
when he had attained the highest eminence in his pro-
fessinn did his zeal or assiduity in the study of this
department of science in any degree relax. On
this head he considered the education of a surgeon
could never be complete. At the termination of
his professional studies in 1815 he became conincted
as ordinary house-surgeon with the. Royal Infirmary
of Edinburgh, and when a very young man
he set about the remedy of what he considered
detects in the management or that institution.
This was unfortunately not done in a manner
tending to conciliate the managers; and, perhaps,
he did not exercise in the fervour of his, zeal for im-
provement that forbearance either towards them or
towards his professional brethren which a more pru-
dent and less justly confident medical reformer might
have thought expedient. But his views were rightly
directed, and at last, by the force of his talent and
unwearied exertions, he attained the fullest con-
fidence of the management, on whose records
are left the strongest testimonials of his important
services ; and it. is believed that they deeply
regretted the somewhat harsh, and certainly unjust
opposition offered to his suggestions. Notwithstand-
ing his rising reputation, he failed' in attaining the
Professorship of Surgery in the University of Edin-
burgh, which was at one time the object of his ambi-
tion, and the success in which might have insured the
services pf his life to the metropolis of his native

country.
In the year 1833 he published his " Principles of
Surgery," and that work underwent frequent revision,
and several editions; more latterly his lectures on
various subjects, and especially on lithotomy, were
published in the Lancet. He contended strongly
and successfully for the simplicity of surgical
practice, and for the annihilation of the old com-
plicated system of accumulated bandages and copious
use of unguents. His style, both in writing and
speaking, was clear, simple, and homely. He dis-
dained ornament, and was not prodigal in illustra-
tion, but always intent on the main point of his sub-
ject, and more anxious to add to practical informa-
tion and to come to a substantial and efficient conclu-
sion than to theorize or beautify.
'ln the year 1834 Mr. Liston, having been ap-
pointed surgeon to the North London Hospital, re-
moved to this higher sphere of duty. He subse-
quently became professor of Clinical Surgery in
University College, and continued till his
death one of the brightest ornaments of that
important institution. . On his leaving Edin-
burgh, in the month of November, 1834, a
public entertainment was given to him, at which
the chief magistrate of the city presided, and
where many of the most eminent of his professional
brethren bore testimony to his merits, and especially
to his transcendent talents as an operator. For
excellence in this department be possessed every
qualification•:--great physical strength and activity,
coolness, promptitude, energy, and unflinching
courage, a steady hand and a quick eye, a resolu-
tion which rose with the difficulties he encountered,
and rested on a just reliance on his complete know •
ledge of anatomy and pathology. But though potent
to wield, he was by no means rash to recommend the
use of, the knife. On the contrary, he was a re-
markably cautious practitoner. As he was dauntless
in operation, however dangerous, he was deliberate
in forming the resolution, and forebore where he
could.

In London his practice soon became extensive, and
steadily increased. In the year 1846 he was ap-
pointed one of the Examiners of the Royal College of
Surgeons ; and there can be little doubt that had he
survived a few years he would have been put in nomi-
nation as President with the unanimous approbation
of the profession and the public. His reputa-
tion was now established and • unchangeable—
his neme familiar in every medical school of Europe
and America. A rich harvest of honour and wealth
' lay before him ; but, alas ! the sickle has fallen from
the hand of the reaper, and in the zenith of his man.
hood and vigour of his practice he has been stricker
down by sudden death. His loss is national and irre.
parable ; th4re is no operator of his standing who can
for a moment be put in nomination to fill his place.
Nor, let it be imagined, although the calls for his
aid were incessant by those who were - entitled to
command his serv'ecti that he forgot or overlooked
the poor and needy. His nature abhorred everything
sordid, and no man ever was more strongly in:-
pressed with the feelings of an honourable, gene-
rous, and independent practitioner. In whatever reek
of life the " case " occurred, if it was one of difficulty
or interest, this master of his art was ready with
the potent spell of his unerring bistoury ; and his re-
ward was in the consciousness of his own power, and
in the noble pride of having been ministrant to the
relief of 'suffering humanity. His manner in ordi-
nary society was sometie:es complained of as harsh
or abrupt, and he certainly was occasionally neg-
lectful of the mere trifling courtesies of life, and
sometimes careless of refinement or punctilio. He
was a man of thought more than of show. He
could not bear triflers, and he did not always avoid
showing his distaste. He was a fervent lover of
truth and sincerity, and sometimes, perhaps, expressed
himself too strongly where he thought there lurked
either meanness, or deceit, or affectation. ' But in the
proper and trying scene of the labours of the medical
man—in the chamber of the sick—he was gentle as
he was resolute; He never had a patient who was not
anxious to become a friend, and the voice which was
sometimes discordant amid the petty annoyances of
daily life was music to the sick man's ear. Into thescene
of suffering he never brought a harsh word or an
unkind look, and the hand which was as hard as
iron and true as steel in the theatre of operation,
was soft as thistledown to the throbbing pulse
and aching brow. It may also be added with
perfect truth, that in the exercise ' of his
arduous duties, among persons of the highest
rank and most fastidious sympathies, his delicacy
and forbearance were as remarkable as the sound
sense which regulated all his professional conduct.
His heart was in his business. He had no fantasies,
no dogmatic opinions, no overweening confidence;
and while he watched the progress of science, and
hailed with rapture every improvement founded on
sound principles, be regulated his whole practice by
the views of experience, and by the plain dictates
of kindly sympathy and unobtrusive and tender
watchfulness.
In private life Mr. Liston had many sincere friends
and was highly appreciated. In ordinary company
he Was somewhat silent, and occasionally more espe-
cially to strangers—rather backward or indifferent
in his address. But though the surface might occa-
sionally seem ruffled, all was tranquil within and
pure. His affections were strong. His attach-
ments, once formed, were lasting. His sympathies
were with everything open, manly, and honest. His
tenderness was touching, when once awakened. On his
friendship might be placed absolute reliance—on his
integrity immovable confidence. He never bent to the
great nor spurned the lowly. He never forgot the as-
sociations of early life, and warmly loved his country
and his kin. He hated affectation and cherished sincerity
—for he was himself sincere. In his pastimes he was.
manly. In his hours of leisure, generous and gentle. To
the young he was ever ready to give advice and aid. He
wished to see the noble science of which be was so
ardent a professor extended, and its bounties univer-
sally disSeminated. He felt his own high posi-
tion, and cherished-his own hard-earned reputation ;
but he was ready to make, any sacrifice and to
endure any labour by which the healing art
might be promoted and the happiness of his
fellow-creatures secured. He enjoyed almost un-
interrupted health for many years until within about
a twelvemonth, when he became visibly affected.
But the true nature of hie disease baffled the skill
of his medical advisers, and it was not until a post
inortem examination that it was ascertained he had
laboured under aneurism of the aorta. He breathed
his last on the night of Tuesday, December 7, 1847,
having endured great suffering with that fortitude
which was his companion through life. His useful-
ness has been cut short by the mysterious decree of ,
Providence ; but his fame will endure while the
science of surgery is known, and • the name of
ihae first
te
dii
ti
i the surgeonshri
brightest
httehes t worldexain
example
eer
of sawunt i
rwill
boenneeearsogsryoc: matchless zeal, consummate skill, prudence,
and tenderness—adorning a private character of un-
spot
and an
integrity.ted
my
He has left a • widow and six
children,
a sincere friend to deplore
his loss. But it is not among his immediate circle
alone sorrow will be felt that his bright career
is clostd. There-is many a sigh in the lordly man-
sion and in the cottage of the poor. He is wailed in
the hospital of the sick, in the hall of instruction.
The grey haired practitioner looks in vain for the
aid of his energy and skill, and the zealous student
now but his memory to cherish for e ample.
hears no more his voice of encouraxgement and has