The Sun.
London, England, 1866-08-25 00:00:00

Portrait of George Peabody.

We think there can be but one opinion of the princely
munificence of the great and pod George Peabody.
Such disinterested benevolence as his, is a rara axis
and, like comets, of very rare occurrence. If we cherish
the memorials of friends in likenesses, how desirable that
we have correct or reliable ones. In the case of Mr.
Peabody wo aro singularly favoured by the artistic skill
and acumen of the world-famed photographer, Mr. Mayall,
of Regent-street and Brighton, as will be seen from the
following extract, which we cheerfully give from the
"Brighton Guardian" of the 22nd inst. We content ourselves
for the present• by giving that extract, securing for our-
selves the personal opportunity which wo shall have
shortly of examining the production iu question. But we
cannot help adding, and wo do so in good faith, what Mr.
Peabody has done for the honour of humanity, Mr. Mayall
has done for photography that which at once puts him un-
disputedly at the head of that art. He may have his
equals, but unquestionably not his superiors. Some of these
days we propose spending an odd hour in his studios,
when we shall have much pleasure in referring to a few of
its specialities. _ _ _

inasmuch as Mr. George Peabody is perhaps the greatest
practical benefactor the English poorer classes have ever
had, and inasmuch as Brighton is honoured by being the
place where two portraits of him were painted for presen-
tation to institutions he has founded in the United States,
we are glad to know that the working classes of Brighton
will have an opportunity of viewing the second of these
mementoes, and of becoming acquainted with the linea-
ments of the eminent and philanthropic man who but a
short time since was residing in this town.
Our readers will recollect that while staying at Brighton,
Mr. Peabody gave Mr. Mayall, photographer, sittings at
the splendid studio erected by the latter on the King's-
road. The small photographs were intended for publica-
tion, and have since been received both in Great Britain
and on the Continent with much favour. Mr. Peabody,
however, was so struck with the excellence and graphic
individuality and (Ammeter of Mr. Mayan's enlarged life-
sized photographs coloured in oil that ho gave a co mmis-
sion for two such portraits of himself to be painted. Ho
was
s h etd t o then
en
take within
the afirsmtopnotrhtraoift vile,aitylPihgimf,oirn Americaoe t o and
wished
pre-
sent it personally with the Queen's Letter to the Peabody
Institute, founded by him at his native town of Danvers.
The portrait was finished in three weeks, and was pro-
nounced by Mr. Peabody to be the only ono with which
he bad ever been really and entirely pleased. It now
hangs in the Institute at Danvers. The second portrait,
designed by Mr. Peabody for presentation to the Institute
he founded at Baltimore, has since been finished, and is on
private view during this week at Mr. MayalPs Brighton es-
tablishment, King's-road. It resembles the first portrait
in every respect, except that the he ad is turned a littlo
more to one side. This we think an improvement. The
other portrait was equally perfectas a work of art, but the
aspect of the face in this one is, to our mind, more graphic.
The principal features are more decidedly marked, and
there is a charming animation about the countenance
which was not so apparent in the fnller face of the
Danvers work. The head does not lase in dignity, in-
deed it rather gains, but the portrait looks smarter, if
.tl.lO
word may be used, and a more life-like air is imix(lritlty
the picture generally. The pose of the figure is
the same as in the previous work, and thi))anvors
portrait
also copied, except in one respect. 4 accessories are
had in the background, by Mr. PeabobTd;
it as since boon hung;
the fagade of the building in which
bottle monument standint:
in this picture is introduced
.a 1 's express desire,
has situate.o n the
in the square where the Ba
et
critics are inclined to cavil
mt
in such a case tha
t is, the work is ono
picture, they need only, recollects..,s,.
proud, and which will,
the enffsetcatutth°isis
osifttwerh'sicwih
mshr.
ismtahyeatthic
misatriseisldabo
in Baltimore as its fellow
no doubt, be as hig--, c When the work was on view
our admiration of it, and we can confi-
dently we expressed
then said, and apply the praise
portrait is i
dently rope, .It all that we
m. , 1 .
oven:Lent of Mr. ,ty all. his afternoon
to this later /Lehi
be
removed to the Town Hall, where
n Danvers.
admiration
- will
will have free admission to it. Mr.
the the whole
realises his kind wish that the Brighton
should be familiarised with the lineaments
of king classes
working
limn who has done so much for their London
bretbren. The Mayor granted the use of the Hall when
requested to do so, and is entitled to thanks for his ' M" tab; I l thus t owa '
com-
pliance.

The War Department steam vessel Lord Panmure
yesterday shipped at Woolwich Pier ten 121-ton
guns, iron gun carriages, and slides, and four other
guns of smaller calibre, shot, and shell, for her Ma-
jesty's iron ship Bellerophon, at Portsmouth, to re-
place the armament now on board. She is under
orders to leave Woolwich this morning with a full
cargo. The official returns from the War Depart-
ment relative to the efficiency and economy of the
storeships iu their employ have been made known
at Woolwich, and are ordered to be printed in the
Blue Book in course of being compiled for the next
financial year. The returns are to the following
effect :—The Lord Panmure steamvcssel, together
with the sailing ships Raglan, Lord Vivian,
vinker
emp.o.,
man, and Alma, havebeen in constant
find that a net
dur-
ingof outlaytll e 13
withas tt2h emtransportonti months,
and
a andcomparing
done_
he amountebythe
se
saving to the revenue has
of little shoat of £lB,OOO.
thel Earl de Grey and
gratifiedbne,nr ehff.sechtaesdetnoatbilleedsetrhveicme
to build a new stearnvelssen,
Works), to replace the
Ripon (by the Thames
tßoalNaylhdiacivia,tilloeyst
hoinavethesctiorilaosat
solfunlreilnandth,
einTardettuiorny
amounting to £lO,OOO.