The Sun.
London, England, 1861-05-06 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, MAY 6, 1861.

severer taskmaster still that he bore within in his
own mind and heart ; and each of them has given,
or is about immediately to give, the whole of his
achieved labour to pitiless destruction in order to
begin again something that may approach more
nearly to his ideal perfection. (Loud cheers.) The
state of art cannot be other than promising when
such a spirit of resolute self-sacrifice and chivalrous
devotion distinguishes its professors—men who have
aTtained the command of unlimited public confi-
dence—men whose very name is enough, indepen-
dent of criticism, to give circulation to whatever
they produce. (Cheers.) I trust that as literature,
so art may continue to pursue its for ward path and
prove a blessing to mankind. (Loud cheers.)
In the last toast the PRESIDENT expressed his
ckcowledgments to those possessors of works of
art who have the liberality to open their galleries
at convenient seasons to artists and the public.
With this toast was connected the Directors of the
British Institution.

MScottish e d
_P Peasant's by my countryman, belong in the scale of civilised nations. (Cheers.)
as)!wamhiolyflready rivals the fame In fact, the office of art is higher even than that.
of our immortal Wilkie. (Continued cheering.) For not only does the artist promote the intellectual
Mr. President and gentlemen, lam sure that we all enjoyment of his contemporaries—not only does he
feel most grateful to you for the honour you have raise them in the scale of social existence, but he
done to your country by your genius and for the perpetuates the records of the age in which he lives,
enjoyment we have derived from your achievements and even of those ages which have preceded, and
in art. lam afraid that in return most of us can i hands down from generation to generation those
only tender you sincere but barren thanks. The memorials of great events, those records of distin-
lawyers can now hardly ever hope to supply you guished men which, being subjected to the faithful
with a subject which by your skilful treatment eye, are more instructive and more permanent moni-
might illustrate these walls—for now a days such tors of the greatness and glory of a nation than even
stirring events do not recur among us as the trial those traditions which may be conveyed sometimes to
of Lord J. Russell for high treason, or the commit- the treacherous and forgetful ear. Allusion has been
ment to prison of the Prince of Wales by Lord Chief made during the evening to one most remarkable
Justice Gascoigne. (Cheers.) When I was Chief Jus- incident of the meeting which has taken place to-
tice of England, the Prince of Wales whom we day—an incident which cannot be too often adverted
all regard so hopefully, twice did me the hon- to, and which I trust will long be recollected. The
our to sit by me in the Court of Queen's Bench; incident I mean to mention is this—that we have
but on both occasions His Royal Highness here before us living examples of the manner in
was courteous and condescending—(a laugh)— which art may be connected with glory, and glory
and set an example of respect for the admi- may be connected with art. (Cheers.) We have here
nistration of justice ; so nothing historical occurred. before us one of the most illustrious of our military
(Cheers, and a laugh.) I rejoice, however, to think commanders, who has carried the glory of the Bri-
that the world has lately seen a proof of the tish army to the antipodes—(cheers)—who has
amicable relations subsisting between law and raised the reputation of our military prowess by the
painting in the fresco which adorns the hall of the judicious and high-minded manner in which he has
Inn of Court to which I belonged near half a cen- directed the success of our arms ; and we have also
tury. (Cheers.) The example set by Lincoln's- before us an illustrious painter capable, by that
inn will, I trust, be speedily followed in all other eminence he has attained in his own profession of
public buildings; for we can no longer be content art, of handing down to the latest posterity a memo-
with gazing at bare and cheerless walls when, by rial of that distinguished commander, allied to him
the exercise of your talent, they might be made to by the ties of consanguinity, and allied to him also
present to us never-failing delight and instruction. by the connection between the two professions to
(Loud cheers.) I likewise hope that by a bill which they severally belong. (Cheers.) We have
which will soon be submitted to Parliament, "To the satisfaction of feeling that the exhibition of this
establish Copyright in Art," we may be enabled to year must be gratifying to every one who takes a
protect you from pirates and impostors—(cheers)— deep interest in the progress of art in this country.
and to secure to you a just remuneration for your (Cheers.) For I will venture to say that there are
illustrious labours. (Loud cheers.) Mr. President , hung upon these walls examples of unrivalled merit
and gentlemen, I now conclude by thanking you, which must attract the admiration of all who have
in the name of the guests whom you have honoured Oho 6,7ua rortune to see them. (Cheers.) You have
with an invitation to this spleaasa banquet, and for been pleased, Sir Charles Eastlake, to allude to tho
i whom you have mentally and materially provided improvements which have been made in regard to a
so rich a treat. (Cheers.) In return, I beg per- portion of the building appropriated to the display
mission to give a toast which lam sure will be re• of the works of art. Why, it is quite true that,
ceived by all your guests with enthusiasm—" Pros- though we afford. I will not say adequate, but toler-
perity to the Royal Academy, and long life to its able space to the exhibition ef those who distinguish
distinguished President." themselves in the art of painting, the place in which
The toast was drunk with much cheering. sculptures were exhibited was really a disgrace to
The PRESIDENT—I beg leave, on the part of the the country. We have among us sculptors who are
members of the Royal Academy, and expressing capable of producing statues of men scarcely less
my own feelings together with theirs, to return our alive than they; but fortunate it was they were less
respectful thanks to his lordship and to this alive than the persons they represent, otherwise I
assembly for the honour they have conferred am bound to say, the place where they were kept
on the Royal Academy. (Cheers.) His lordship's being only comparable to the Black Hole in Cal-
favourable judgment of the English school and of cutta, their living existence would certainly not
the present exhibition is the more gratifying as it have been of long duration. (A laugh.) I can only
is the opinion of a practised observer, who, on add that we are most thankful to you for inviting
many former occasions, has been pleased to take an us to this feast, and the honour you have done us in
interest in these annual displays. The labours of drinking our health. I can assure you that these
the artist throughout the year—and there are works periodical meetings are among the most agreeable
requiring more than the year—are inspired by the days of the year; and seeing as we do on these
hope of your and the public approval ; and although walls the works of living genius—meeting as we do
the individual exhibitors may vary, the same re- at this social board a company of the most distin-
sponsibility and the same legitimate ambition sti- guished celebrities of all kinds, we feel that this
mulate the efforts of those who appear in succession day deserves, if I may use both a classical and
on the arena. (C'ieers.) The present exhibition artistic expression, to be marked with svelte chalk.
has, in one respect, a more than common interest, (Long cheers and a laugh.)
in consequence of the altered conditions of space, The PRESIDENT—The toast which I will now
particularly in the room allotted to the exhibition beg to propose is, " The Interests of Literature."
of sculpture—an improvement to which his lordship (Cheers.) A title so comprehensive supersedes the
has alluded in gratifying terms. For that improve- necessity of any introduction ; all that can be de-
ment our best thanks are due to the noble lord at sired in addition is a worthy name by way of illus-
thebeadof the Government. (Cheers.) In approach- tration. It is not easy to single out a representa-
ing this subject lam reminded that on a former oc- tive where distinguished examples are so numerous
casion, when the " Health of her Majesty's Minis- I might select one of those literary benefactors
ters " was proposed, another noble lord, a distin• whose exclusive or chief occupation it is to minister
guished member of the Government, possibly under by their writings to our delight or instruction ; but
an impression that the toast had reference to politics, having appealed to them on former occasions, and
was disposed to question its fitness on these occa being unwilling to tax them too often; lam now
sions. Nothing, lam sure, can be more consonant disposed to take a wider survey. I am the more
with the feelings of such an assembly as this than induced to do so from a conviction that the political
the understanding that allusions of the description fame of many gifted writers, occupying as it must
referred to should be here altogether proscribed— a prominent place in public attention, has a some-
(hear)—and frequent have been the occasions when, what unfair tendency to eclipse, at least for a time,
in proposing the toast, I have distinctly prefaced it their literary excellence. lam therefore desirous,
with such an explanation. (Hear.) But the ex- on the present occasion, to offer our tribute of re-
planations
were hardly necessary. The truth is, spect to those writers—to those authors who are
the enlightened men of different political opinions members of Parliament ; and, is so doing, vindicate
who, while holding the reins of Government, have their literary, in contradistinction to their politi-
at various times honoured us with their presence cal, celebrity. No sooner, however, does this idea
on these occasions, have all been zealous for the pro- suggest itself than lam again compelled to acknow-
motion of art and education. (Cheers.) I, therefore, ledge the difficulty of selection—in consequence of
submit that we may, without at all trespassing on the number of those who command alike " the
forbidden ground, be permitted to thank them. applause of listening senates" and the admiration
(Cheers.) In doing so we desire to retain our of the solitary reader. Exercising as I best can,
privilege of ignoring any political meaning. If like a well-known hero in the " Arabian N. h "
Nights,"
ts,
there be a remote connexion between the hope that the short-lived despotism of a chairman, I beg to
her Majesty's Ministers may continue in health, propose, in connection with " The Interests of
and a desire that they may continue in office, that Literature," but without the slightest allusion to
connexion may be regarded as inherent in the the paper duty—(a laugh)—" the Health of the
form of the toast, and, therefore, excusable. (A Right Hon. William Gladstone." (Loud cheers.)
laugh.) We profess rather to dwell on The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER—Sir Charles
these attributes of Statesmen which have re- Eastlake, my Lords, and Gentleman,—l certainly
ference to permanent and universal interests—attri should be the last man to question the propriety of
butes which, assuredly, lose nothing of their value the toast which you have given. Anything which
and dignity because, being independent of politics, connects politics with literature is acceptable in the
they have been happily common to more than one highest degree to all politicians. With respect to
Administration. (Cheers.) An exhibition of sculp- the name you have appended to it, I must say that
ture, under the direction of the Commissioners on if this were a place of controversy I should
be much
the Fine Arts, took place in Westminster-hall in disposed to question your judgment. (A laugh.)
the summer of 1844—nearly 17 years since. My And in rising to return thanks for the toast in be-
Lord Palmerston, referring in the House of Com- half of many worthier and more distinguished per-
mons, in July, 1844, to the success of that exhibi- sons
I assure you I do it only on those principles of
tion, expressed his regret that the space allotted to unreasoni •ng obedience by which on these occasions
the display of sculpture in the Royal Academy was we ought to be gui •
ded. As for me, sir, the process
so inadequate, and his hope that the subject would youhave
adopted
reminds me of what happened in
receive consideration. In consequence of that re- the great case of Lord Straffo d' r s impeachment.
mark the late Sir It Pee], who was then at the head The charge against him was that of high treason ;
of the Government, gave some attention to the but it was admitted that no act he committed tak
question; but, although most willing to effect a singly amounted to high treason; while it en
way
change,hisglans, whatever
were afterwards unavoidably laid aside. Thus, after together, however incongruous the mixture,
em
xture, they
so many years, it has been reserved for his lordship, might contrive to find him guilty. You have framed
with whom the suggestion originated, to carry into in my case a treasonable indictment for '' • poatical
effect an improvement for which the sculptors of and other activi • 't y, and by a process somewhat dif-
this country have reason to be, and are, most grate- eren f t , perhaps, from that of the Earl of Strafford,
ful. (Cheers.) I will only add that, considering
certainly more graceful and humane, you have sue-
the difficulties with which the architect had to ceeded in connecting my name • with the represen-
con tend, the result, on both sides of the building— tation of politics and literature. ln behalf of the
I had nearly said on both sides of the house—may class of whom lam a very unworthy represents - commission.
be regarded as highly satisfactory. The rapidity tive I feel that you have placed me thereby upon a By letters from Madeira, we learn that Her Ma-
with which the work has been executed has taken very dangerous eminence, and I think the best thing • jesty's paddle yacht Victoria 'and Albert, Captain
many by surprise. A doubt, I believe, existed I can do is, with your approbation, to get down the Hon. Joseph Denman, arrived at Fueehal
among the sculptors whether the room could pes- again as soon as possible. (A laugh.) The connec- Roads on Thursday, April 18, in five days and five
sibly be ready in time, and this may have induced tion to which you have adverted is one, I trust, hours from Spithead, the yacht going at half speed
some to postpone the completion of their works. In which will ever subsist, and it is one to which al- all the passage out, the machinery working ex-
proposing the toast, " The Health of her Majesty's most every page of the catalogue in our hands bears ceedingly well, and the passage having been made
Ministers," I beg leave,
on the part of the Royal witness; for no small number of the brilliant works under fine weather and smooth water. The Osborne,
Academy and on the part of the sculptors of this which we see on these walls have had their first Master Commander G. K. Bower, arrived out the
country, to offer our respectful and best thanks to itleu suggested by one or other of the works that same morning, having left Portsmouth on the 12th
the noble lord at the head of the Government, who, adorn our literature. (Cheers.) Perhaps, if I might of April, one day earlier than the Victoria and
as I have explained, has for so many years been de- go so far back, I •Albert, but had called in at Lisbon, where she took
shouldsay it never was more beau-sirous to carry into effect an improvement in the tifully illustrated in than the group of the famous on board 140 tons of coal. It had been anticipated
sculpture-room of the Royal Academy. Laocoon compared with the not less famous descrip• that the Empress of Austria would embark imme-
The toast was drunk amid loud cheers. tion in the poem of Virgil, and with regard to diately on the arrival of the yachts, but, according
Viscount P - ALMERSTON, who was greeted with which literary men for ages argued whether it was to the arrangements at the date of our advices
loud cheers, said,—Sir Charles Eastlake, my lords, the group suggested the poem,or the poem that sug- (April 22), her Majesty would not embaiik before
and gentlemen, I can assure you in behalf of gested the idea tothescuiptor. Modern criticismhas the 28th, when it was expected the Royal yachts,
my colleagues and myself that we are extremely resolved that controversy, and has determined that accompanied by her Majesty's steamer Argus, Corn-
thankful for the honour you have done us in pro- both were original, and that the treatment of each mender Ingram, would first proceed to Cadiz, of
Posing our health, and I beg to assure you that we was strictly in accordance with the principles of each their arrival at which port the public have already
labour under no mistake as to
,the sense in which art—the name of the poet well known, that of the been informed by telegram from Madrid. From
that toast has been proposed. V;,•e are quite aware sculptor unknown, but not less illustrious ; each re- Cadiz it was arranged that the Imperial squadron
that you, Sir Charles, in proposing, and this dis- lying on his own inspiration, each pursuing the path should proceed to Gibraltar, Malaga, and Palmi,
tinguished company in drinking, our health did not of his own distinct orbit of human excellence, the latter in the island of Majorca. Thence they
mean to imply a wish that we might retain our parallel to each other; each one entire, varying one would proceed to Malta, Corfu, and, lastly, to
offices as long as retain our health, but only that from the other; independent of each other, yet never Trieste, where the Empress and suite would disem-
we may retain our health so long as we retain our servile one to the other. • Such may they ever con- bark, and proceed direct to Vienna. On the even-
offices. (Cheers.) Sir, it is quite right and natural tinue. (Cheers.) It is not for me to presume to ing of the 22d the chief officers of the British vessels
that, apart from all political reference, separated speak of the literature with which you have con- at anchor in Funchal Roads, comprising Capt. the
from all party difference, a society like this, a nected my name; nor do I speak in the character of Hon. Joseph Denman, Commander Ingram, Master
society founded by artists for the promotion of art, a judge of works of art, though you have hospitably Commander G. K. Bower, Dr. Minter, &c , had the
should pay a compliment to the office-bearers for extended to us all the title ; but there are things honour of dining with the Empress.
the time being, whose duty it is—and who must, lof which we may speak. I should not venture to The Nimble, 5, screw gun vessel, Lieut. Common-
trust, if they are worthy of their position, always
offer any opinion of ' the height to which English der John D'Arcy, left Funchal Roads on the 19th
endeavour to perform their duty—to give whatever artists have attained, yet there are some points of April, under canvass, the little vessel exciting
encouragement it may be the function of a Govern- which mark their proceedings upon which any man, the admiration of every one who saw her as she
ment to afford to the promotion of the arts of the as a man, may give an opinion. He may judge of made her way out of the roadstead on her mission
country. (Cheers.) For indeed those men must be the spirit in which they work. I have before to meet and accompany the Narcissus frigate, flag-
very unfit for the high offices which they hold who me two men I need not natne,eaeh of them most dis- ship of Rear-Admiral Sir B. W. Walker, K.C.8.,
should not be sensible of
the great value and ime tinguished in one of the sister arts which are united bound to the Cape of Good Hope.
pertance to a great nation of progressive improve- together in the Academy, and of whom I believe I The Boanerges and Robert Lowe, hired trans-
ment in the cultivation of the fine arts. (Cheers.) may say that at about the same time, they having ports, the last named an auxiliary screw, are ex-
The fine arts are not only a source of intellectual received a commission for the execution of a great petted to arrive very shortly at Spithead with
enjoyment to the nation in which they flourish, but work filo high authority, andeach having executed relieved troops from New Zealand.
they are also a measure in the estimation of other the commission in a manner that must have satisfied Yesterday morning intelligence was received by
countries of the honour, of the dignity, of the repu• the severest taskmaster, independent of himself, yet •Vice-Admiral H. W. Bruce, the Naval Commander.
Wien, of the positiOn of the country to which they neithq the ono nor the other had satisfied the in-chief at Portsmouth, that the A'Foll had got en,.

The company then partook of tea and coffee in
the middle room, and separated , efore 11 o'clock.