The Sun.
London, England, 1857-05-19 00:00:00

LEOPALD REDPATH'S COLLECTION.

This,. the last remnant of a transient splendour, of a
brilliant mirage that dazzled and deceived the un-
happy man who believed its beauty to be lasting, is
now to be offered for public competition by Messrs.
Christie and Manson, upon Thursday, the 21st, and the
two following days. The well-known name of Redpath
will doubtless attract a numerous assemblage cf visitors
to examine and comment upon the articles of verge
which at one time formed a part of his worldly goods ;
anti it is even possible that we may hear of his being
Tilted as a miracle of taste and refinement, for to the
holder of money most things are possible—the reputa.
tion of a Maecenas among the number. "There's
naught impossible," asserts the wry servant in the old
play. "Yes, to be learned, Mosca," hints his credulous
master ; but the reply is true and conclusive :
" Oh, not to be rich implies it I
Hood your ass with reverend purple,
So that you hide his two ambitious ears,
And he shall pass for a cathedral doctor.

"'Sic transit gloria mundi" is a truth palpable enough
at all times, but few, we imagine, can regret the destruc-
tion of an edifice that had fraud for its architecture, false-
hood for its pillars, and crime for its foundation. Besides,
the taste of Redpath was more than doubtful ; the pre-
sent collection is that of a man who has been led
by others, of one who is ambitious of the name of " a
man of taste" without the requisite qualifications ;
there is no " unity" in the objects of art now presented
for inspection—for a knowledge of art must come in-
tuitively, and no sum of mosey can purchase its posses-
sion. The collection of Venetian glass is varied in cha-
racter, and some few of the specimens are very choice
both •in design and delicacy of workmanship. The
Dresden, Sevres, and other china contains articles
(though some are common enough) of great value. The
Majolica and Palissy ware are good in quality and de-
sign, but not of a character to elicit any esrecial com-
mendation. The objects of art and vertu are fine, espe-
cially some groups of figures, vases, cups, girandoles,
snuff-boxes, &o.; and some exquisite Limoges enamels, a
quantity of clever carvings in ivory and wood, a few
well-designed clocks, and various statuettes, among
which must be mentioned the graceful Leda of Pra•
dier, that was exhibited with so much success at the
Exposition Universelle at Paris. Besides these, there
are several good bronzes and carefully executed
marbles, in addition to a collection of oil paintings
and water-colour drawings, containing some good
examples of various artists; to wit—Corley Field-
ing, Hunt, Duncan (the view of Spithead is one
of his most charming pictures), F. Taylor, L. Ha;za,
Richardson, Topham, Goodhall, and Turner—though
the specimens of the last-named painter are by no means
first rate either in conception or colour. Of the oil paint-
ings we select as w orth notice a magnificent landscape
of O'Conner's, painted with a Salvator-like freedom ;
several splendid effects by the Danbys, father and sons ;
the " Two Leonidas," by Carl Sohn • two more than
doubtful Lelys ; a glorious picture by Dyckmans, per-
fect in detail and colour ; and other specimens of which
a deficiency of space precludes a mention. That the
present will be a remunerative sale we cannot doubt, but
that it exhibits any superior artistic taste upon the part
of the collector we utterly deny. There is a perceptible
want of unity in the whole collection that betrays its
origin ; it is the endeavour of a man careless about ex-
pense to take rank as a connoisseur and to be hailed by

enihusinstic and interested friends as a person possess-
ing a judgment which was foreign to his nature, for in
this collection we cannot discover the name of one un-
known artist. It is a selection quite in the old track—
each name is known, and each picture has its market
value. In directing public attention to this collection
we have no intention of catering for a morbid sympathy,
we simply direct the public to the works of artists whose
names are household words, and whose productions
have, long ago, commanded both admiration and esteem.

THE MILITARY HOSPITAL AT NETLEY.—The Medi-
cal officers of the Middlesex Hospital inform us that
the result of an interview which they have had with
the Committee at the, War•ofce has only been to
confirm their opinion, that, notwithstanding the altera-
tions, toe building is quite unfitted for the purposes of
an hospital.—Medical Times.
THE SILK CROP.—The accounts regarding the progress
of the silk crop continue on the whole satisfactory. In
Spain some new silk has already appeared in the market,
and the crop, which is almost secured, is expected to be
" half a good crop." Last year it was almost a total
failure. In Naples and Sicily there have as yet been no
adverse signs, and from the Roman States and Tuscany
the statements are very favourable. In Lombardy the
prospect seems more doubtful, but it is still too early to
form a positive opinion respecting that country. From
France the advices each day describe an improvement,
and the worms are now between the second and third
stage. Complaints are made of the seed from Lombardy,
' and also of the French seed, but these have been Eue-
cessfully replaced by seed from Brussa and Tuscany.
The mulberry-leaf is said to be fine and abundant, but
the price is high—a fact which seems to indicate confi-
dence in the health of the wormer and a large con.
sureption,