The Sun.
London, England, 1847-04-27 00:00:00

GERMAN PROTECTIONISTS.

It appears from the German papers, that when Dr.
List, the most prominent advocate of protection in
favour of the products of Germany, was in this coun-
try, during the last autumn, he addressed communica-
tions to Lord Palmerston and Sir Robert Peel, for the
purpose of procuring their concurrence in the views of
Dr. List in favour of protection. The answers by them
are stated to have been published in the German papers.
The following is that sent by Sir Robert Peel:—
" Drayton Manor, Aug. 22, 1846.
" Sir,—l beg leave to acknowledge the receipt of the letter
which you have addressed to me, and of the memorandum
which accompanied it.
" I thank you for this communication, and have given it
an attentive perusal.
" The sentiments which it expresses in favour of the policy
and reciprocal advantage of an intimate union between this
country and Germany have my cordial concurrence; a con-
currence as complete and unqualified as is my dissent from
your views as to the mode by which that intimate union can
be most effectually promoted.
"You are of opinion that England ought cheerfully to
acquiesce in the maintenance of high duties on the import
lobo Germany of the products of English industry, for the
purpose of benefiting the people of Germany, of conciliating
their goodwill towards England, and of thus encouraging
amicable relations between the two countries.
"I, on the contrary, am of opinion that the people of
Germany will be benefited by freer access to the produce of
English industry in exchange for their own, that the good-
will to be purchased by denying that access will be the good-
will not of the people of Germany, but of comparatively a
very small portion of that people, either interested in the
manufactures with which English industry would compete,
or, labouring under erroneous impressions as to the
of
prin-
ciples whith ought to govern the commercial relations
two great countries ; and that we shall be laying the best
foundation for reciprocal amity and for an intimate union be-
tween Great 13ritain:andiGermany by relaxing the restraints
on our commercial intercourse, and by the diminution, and
not the incase or the maintenance, of the present protec-
tive duties. _ .

"You observe that views in favour of protection are at
present uppermost in the mind of the German public—that
it does not matter, with regard to the
object of your memoir,
whether, such views are true or not; it matters only whether
theyc.cio exist or not.
be permitted, with all due respect for your autho-
rity, to doulit the allegation that such views are uppermost
in the mind of the people of Germany ; but if they are, I
totally dissent from your position, that it matters not whether I
such views are or are not correct.
" If they prevail, and if they are not correct, they ought to I
be combated by those who, as statesmen, conduct the public
councils in Germany, and, let me add, by those also who, as
writers on political economy and the commercial policy cf
nations, undertake to enlighten the public mind, and to f)rm
and direct the public opinion of their fellow-countrymen.
" I for one believe those views to be completely erroneous,
to be injurious to Germany, injurious to England, and im-
pediments to that intimate union which I wish to see estab-
lished and confirmed between two powerful nations whose
political interests are so nearly identical. lam bound, there-.
fore, frankly to inform you that I cannot advise that
acqui-
escence in them on the part of the ruling authorities in
country which it is the object of your memorandum
to
in_
culcate.—l have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient servant,
M. List, &c. ROBERT PEEL.

Mr. Greg, and a deputation, had an interview with Sir
George Grey, on Saturday. The Earl of Devon had
A* au iut4ryiew wits the Right 4lon. Baronet.

On Saturday Sir R. Peel opened his mansion in White-
hall-gardene for the reception of visitors invited *inspect ' e
,
his beautiful collection of works of art. The principal_ stair-
case, the
_picture-gallery, and; we believe, one or two tithe; ,
rooms, have recently been redecorated, whilst the picture:
themselves have undergone a fresh arrangement, and tie
completion of these details was the immediate cause of the
.reunion of Saturday. The invitations in this instance were,
not regulated by the exclusive spirit which almost uniformit
prevails on similar occasions. That there should be present
many of -the most distinguished members of the Peerage)
and of the-House of Commons might naturally be expected
from the eminent social and political position which the
Right Hon. Baronet occuPies ; but -it was gratifying to ob.
serve, associated with them, a very large number of gentle-
men connected with art, literature, and science. One may
easily imagine that the owner of this fine collection may
sometimes have sought a temporary relief from the cares
and
men vexation
this s
counwhich
and the inevitable lot of public)
try— and e
,certainly,nj,3,m
enjoyment
ohfasthheadplehai.s
in ,
share of them—in the tranquilh
sures which are to be found in the contemplation of the-won.
derful emanations of genius by which he is here surrounded;
and, perhaps. judging wisely that a due appreciation of are
is not confined to the aristocracy exclusively, he was in.
duced to extend to a wider circle the gratification which
these pictorial treasures are capable of imparting. Be this
as it may, this is the first occasion on which so liberal a
spirit has been displayed, and it deserves honourable men.
tion, as illustrative of Sir R. Peel's judgment and kind die-.
position.
Although Sir R. Peel has long been known as a munificent
patron of modern art, there are not, with, we believe, five
exceptions— " John Knox preaching before tlete
Lards of the Congregation," Sir Themes Lawrence's por-
trait of one of the Right Hon. Baronet's daughters, Edwin
Landseer's portrait of another daughter, and Winterhalter's
portraits of her 3lajesty and Prince Albert—any pictures of
living or recently deceased artists in Whitehall-gardens.
Ile whole of this portion of the collection—including the,
portraits of political characters, Lawrence's portrait of Sir
Robert, and his three-quarter and half-length portraits of
Lady Peel—the latter well known by the engraving—havt
been removed to Drayton Manor.
One of the rooms on the ground floor is appropriated to
some drawings by Rubens and Vandyke, part of Sir Thomas
:Lawrence's collection of drawings, purchased from his ex-
ecutors by Sir R. Peel. The high merit of these sketches is so
universally recognised, that it is unnecessary to do more
than aver that they are characterised by all the master's core
rectness of drawing and boldness of execution. The library
is hung with ereeoe'engravines, chiefly from modern paint.
ings. - -
The dinitig-room used to be adorned by the portraits of
public men of our own time—chiefly the wonderful " living
effigies" of Lawrence, whose truthful pencil
" snatched from Fate
Whate'er was beauteous or whate'er was great."
Here were the portraits of• the late and present head of the
Peel family, the Duke of Wellington, the Earl of Eldon, Lord
Stowell, the Earl •of Liverpool, 3lr. Canning, the Earl of
Aberdeen, Mr. Huskisson, besides those of Southey and Fu-
seli, all by Lawrence. But, though we can no longer behold
these portraits without a pilgrimage to Drayton—of which
they are well worthy—their place is supplied by pictures of
great interest. These are five portraits, and the picture
known as the " Robinette," by Sir Joshua Reynolds. The
portraits are those of the artist, Dr. Johnson, George IV.
when Prince of Wales, Mrs. Thrale, and Boswell. the agree-
able biographer of the " Literary Leviathan." The portrait
of Johnson was painted for Mrs. Thrale, and it is that from
which the engraving which appears in several editions of the
"Dictionary " is taken.
On end of the drawing-room is occupied by two pictures,
which have lately been presented by Sir ft. Peel to the
Queen. They are full-length portraits of her Majesty and
Prince Albert, the work of the German artist we have
already named. The impression left by a necessarily hurried
view of these pictures is not favourable. The colouring of
the flesh is not good, and the general effect is harsh, if not
coarse. The expression given to the Queen is unlike that of
any other portrait we are acquainted with ; but it would be
unfair, on that account, to inter that it does not belong to her
Majesty. The fact is, that the Queen's countenance is
susceptible of an extraordinary variety of expression, and it
Way be remarked that, although no two of the almost end-
less number of portraits which have been made of the
Sovereign correspond in expression, they all bear a
strong resemblance to•the original. The gallery, which opens
out of the drawing-room, is filled with paintings of the
highest merit. Turn in what direction one may, the eye is
sure to light upon some beautiful object. As far as we could
observe, the works here are all cabinet pictures of the Dutch
school, with the exception of two by Ruben& The latter
are the "Triumph of Silenus," and the celebrated "Chapeau
de Paille." 'I he Bacchanalian piece is a large composition,
including eight figures, the principal object being Silenus,
who occupies the centre, and whose condition requires the
support which he receives from two satyrs. Of course, there
are some of those children whom Rubens loved to paint, and
could paint so well, and the whole picture is remarkable for
the brilliancy of colour, masterly drawing, and spirited com-
position, which are the characteristics of this master. After
Rubens death this picture was purchased by Cardinal Riche-
lieu, in 1642, and remained in possession of his family
until the French revolution. It subsequently became
the property of Lucien Bonaparte ; was brought to
England in 1816, and sold for 950 guineas ; it was
sold again in 1827 for 840/., and was finally bought
by its present possessor for 1,1001. Rubens's other
work in this gallery, the well-known " Chapeau de Paille,"
has long been the theme of universal eulogy, and, as might
be expected, it is an object of great attraction in the gallery.
Some of the particulars connected with the history of this
picture are interesting. Of all his works this was Rubens'e
favourite. It is said to be the portrait of a Mademoiselle
Lindens, though, to us, it appears to bear a strong resem-
blance to the features of the artist's wife, whose portrait ht 70,
has introduced into so many of his works. A story is told of
Rubens having become enamoured of the lady whilst he
was painting her portrait, fad it is certain that he would
never part with this picture, which he called in his catalogue
•• Le Pei-name cl'une Demoiselle, lea bras eroises," (the lady
Pas her arms crossed in front of her in this picture). It is
not known how the picture acquired the name of the "Cha-
peau de Paille," and why it should have done so is equally a
matter of mystery, for the hat which the lady wears is not
straw, but beaver or felt, or, perhaps a coarse kind of velvet.
After the death of the artist's widow the picture became the
property of the Landens family, whose representative, M. Van
'Tavel-en, in 1817, sold it for 50,0001. to M. Stiers d'Aertse-
laer. In 1822 it was sold by auction, and bought by M.
Nieuwenhuys for 36,000 f. He brought it to England
and, after being exhibited publicly, and attracting thousands
of admirers, it was purchased by Sir R. Peel for 3,500 gui-
neas. The specimens of the Dutch school are, as may be an-
ticipated from what has already been stated, very numerous,
and of the highest excellence. To give a detailed notice of
even a few of these works would extend this article beyond
reasonable limits, and we shall, therefore, confine ourselves
to the mere mention of some of the pictures which chiefly
attract attention :—" View off the Thames," Backhuysen ;
this picture is valued at upwards of 1,500/.10 " An Old
Castle," Cuyp ; this is one of time most charming pictures in
the collection; its beauty, indeed, is perfectly enchanting.
" The Avenue," by Hobbema; a remarkably beautiful pic-
ture, and differing in some respects from the artist's usual
style, cost 800/. " The Poulterer's Shop," by Gerard Douw ;
sold in the Choiseul collection, 1772, for 6921.; from that of
the Prince di Conti, 1777, for 8001.; from that of the Duc de
Chabot, in 1787, for 8321. ; from that of Coupre, in 1801, for
1,024/. ; and from that of Mr. Beckford, of Foothill, in 1823,
for 1,270/. " A Landscape," by Dujardin; cost 930 guineas.
"The Duett," by Met zu ; cost 450 guineas. "Le Corset Rouge,"
by F. Miens; bought from Mr. Beckford for 305 guineas.
"Le Chat," by W. Mieris • bought for 370 gui-
neas. " The Alchymist," by Adrian Van Ostade.
" The Music Master," by Jan Steen. " The Mu-
sic Lesson," by Terburg ; cost 920 guineas. " A
View in the City of Cologne," by Vander Hoyden ; cost 415
guineas. " Landscape," by Vander Velde ; cost 760
guineas. Also, by the same artist, "A Calm," bought for
5001. ; " the Coast of Schevening," cost 900/. ; and " A Gale,"
cost 300/, " The Interior of a Stable " and " A View on the
Sea Shore," by Wouvermanns, cost respectively 534
and 450 guineas. In a room leading out of the gal-
lery at the end opposite to that which commune.
cates with the drawing-room, are the portraits before re-
ferred to of two of Sir Robert Peel's daughters by Lawrence
and Edwin Landseer. In the former, which has been en-
graved, the:yeung lady is represented seated on the ground
caressing a spaniel. As a work of art it is beautiful ; and,
Lawrence being the artist, it is unnecessary to add that the
likeness was exact. It is necessary to speak in the past
tense; for the little girl of the picture has grown up into is
woman. in the same room is Sir Joshua's justly celebrated
"Snake in the Grass ;" and, by the same artist, a spirited
speorryteradi,tiohfatAttnieliaraelsemlihelpapge.
elef:lpn oiecturrtcelsusion, it m
affords
ay be b
indisputable
o.
theredr
ee ni
is not
et, ofet
at he
ien
gcl
eto rhrae
dc t
wtearskt e
ionf
tthhee
whel
Ice! oarn;d fhoarr,
dwiyhethlset
which does not rise above mediocrity, the vast majority are
of the very highest character.
Sir Robert Peel was iu excellent health and spirits, and
was assisted by Lady Peel, accompanied by one of her
daughters, in the reception of the guests. The Duke of Wee.
fington arrived and departed early; the Duke of Cambridge
came in about the middle of the day; but Lord John Russell
did not appear until most of the company had left. When
Sir R. Peel observed his Lordship in the gallery, he advanced,
and shaking him cordially by the hand, led him to Lady
Peel. It was interesting to see these two political leaders
meeting in such a manner and under such eircamstancek
and the incident seemed almost to justify the observation tg
a gentleman present, that " it was as pleasing a picture as
any which adorned the walls."
Among the visitors were—

His Rliyal Highness the Duke of Cambridge, attended by Stephens, the Duke of Hamilton, his Excellency
Count Schilmmelpenninck, his Excellency the Prussian Mi-
nister and Madame Bunsen and Miss Bunsen, hi. Excellency.
the American Minister and Mrs. Bancroft, the Duke of Wel.•
lington, the Marquis of Northampton, the Earl of Ripon and
Miss Hobart, the Earl of Lincoln, the Countess of Jersey and;
Lady Clementina Villiers, the Countess De Grey and Mr.
\Tyner, Viscount and Viscountess Mahon, Viscountess
I Harding() and the Hon. Miss Hardinge, .Lord John Rus-
' sell, Lord Colborne, Lord C. Townshend, Lord Monteagle,
his Excellency the Belgian Minister and Madame Van de
Weyer, the Right Hon. Sir Charles Wood, the Right Hon.
Sir James and Lady Graham, the Right lion. Sidney
and Mrs. Herbert, Viscount Goderich, the Right Hon. Sir
George and Lady Clerk and Misses Clerk, Baron Lion
Rothschild, the Hon. Francis Charteris, the Right Hon.
George and Mrs. Dawson and Captain George Dawson, Sir
Walter James, Bart., M.P., and Lady
Campbell,
Sir H. Hume
and
(ei ilfigdyh Bight lion. Sir Henry de la
Campbell,l;e
cheL a dßyacr ti.i,alAnltsrP4,
, Sir Robert H. Inglis,
Bart., M.P., Sir John Rennie,WilloughbyLid
d.
Liddell,
th e Gordon,R eSvi
.r
Alexander Downie, the Very
and Mrs. and Miss Iluckland', the Sirthe Dean of Westminster
Dr. Wellesley, Sir George IIaY ter Sir Henry Ellis, Sir W.
Newton, Sir W. C. Ross, Sir Frederick Madden, Professor
Owen, Dr. Lyon PlayfairColonel Rowan, Mr. W. G. Hayter,
M.P., Mr, H. T. Hope, M.P. Mr. J. Hume, M.P. Mr 4
Charles Baring M.P., dr. Cardwell, M.P., and Mrs.
Cardwell, Mr. Benjamin Hawes, M.P., Mr. C. Boller, M.P.,
Mr. T. Baring, Mr. H. Mildmay, M.P., Mr. T. S. Dun-
combo, M.P., Mr. T. Wise, M.P., Mr. B. Botfield, M.P., Mr.
R. 13ernal, M.P., Mr. W. Ewart, M.P., the Rev. IV. Cureton,
the Rev. J. Forshall, Messrs. Samuel Rogers, Landseer, G.
E. Anson, Hamilton, C. Barry, Eastlake, T. S. Cooper, S.
Cousins, J. Holland, S. Lanreace, H. W. Pickergill, C.
Dickens, 11. Farrer, C. Stansfield, C. Landseer, S. Prout, J.
Lucas, J. Landsaer, J. Severn, IV. Mulready, Stephanoff,
Redgrave, R. Westmacott, J. H. Glover, F. R. Safe, W.
Dvce, F. R. Lee, 11. Hallam, E. H. Baily, Hogarth, F.
Howard. W. C. Marshall, Cotterell, A. Elmore, H. Ley, A.
Pellatt, T. Uwins, W. Wyon, J. Sheepshanks, Heath, J. J.
Chalon, Faraday, T. Amyet, W. Brockendon, C. Fielding,
S. Fulford, W. Barnard, E. Corbould, S. Sly, W. Beheus, E.
Hawkins, J. M. W. Turner, E. Eddie, &c.—Times.

ROYAL ORTIIOPCEDIC HOSPITAL.--The Right Hon.
the Lord Mayor, the Lady Mayoress, and Miss Carroll, ho•
noured this charity with a visit on. Friday. They were re.
ceived by the surgeons and a deputation from the committee,
and expressed themselves highly gratified as well as much
astonished at the surprising cures presented to them.
Some_ of the opponents of the Maynooth Grant, it
is said, intend to put Mr. Spencer de Horsey in nomina•
Pion for Newport, Isle of Wight, at the next election.

_.- .t;:

SACRED HARMONIC SOCIETY.—EIijah is to be per-
formed at Exeter Hall, on Friday next, under Mendelssohn's
direction, being the last time it can be performed before be
leaves-England. Staudigl will, on the occasion, support his
original character of Elijah.
MR. MACREA DY'S li2-APPEARANCE AT THE
PitracEss'e.—lt is said that Mr. Maddox, the lessee of the
Princess's Theatre, has offered Mr. Macready an engagement
for twenty weeks of the next season, at 100 guineas per
week. Hii performance to he three times A week At stipu-
lated intervals.—Observer,

THE WEATHER—SUN OFFICE, APRIL 26.
THERMOMETER, Lowest, 39 ; Highest, 58 ; Noon, 54.
BAROMETER, 29.86.—W1ND, W.S.W.; fine.

HIGH WATER AT LONDON-BRIDGE THIS DAY.
blorr.ing .. 0 minutes after 0. I Eveningminutes after 12.

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