The Sun.
London, England, 1826-11-17 00:00:00

The THONIASON VASE at BIRMINGHAM.

'I his superb and unique specimen of the perfection
of modern art, represents a large basin, whose circum-
ference is 23 feet, and height, including the pedestal,
six feet. It is cast from models of the celebrated an-
tique vase in Warwick Castle, and agrees with its
beautiful original, not less in the truth with which it
has been copied, than in the excellence and beauty of
the workmanship bestowed upon it. The metal of
which the Thomason Vase is composed is bronze.

Mr. Thomason, the owner and maker of this mag-
nificent vase, was in 1814 in Paris, whither, however,
his fame had preceded him, and accordingly on his ar-
rival, be was surrounded by till the literati and anti-
quarian researchers of the good city of Paris.
Amongst these, was the celebrated Monsieur Denon,
and from this gentleman Mr. Thomason learnt that
the ancients had not the 4rt of casting large metallic
vases, br even statues, a Atet which is amply verified
by the circumstance that no specimen of their produc-
tions in this art is now extant, which exceeds a cubit,
or 21i inches in height. Mr. Thomason then com-
municated to Monsieur Denbn his intention to attempt
a large cast, and the latter recommended the rase at
Warwick Castle as a fit subject on which to try his
skill. Accordingly, on Mr. Thomason's return to
England, he applied for permission to take models of
this vase, and, which, 'after some little hesitation, he
obtained. Seven years were occupied in completing
the model from that which the vase was to be cast, as
it was the anxious wish, of Mr. Thomason, that his
vase should be an exact counterpart of the one from
which it was taken. The difficulty of casting the
metal being thus overcome, a still greater one remained,
viz., that of colouring the :petal, a difficulty which Sir
Humphrey Davy, and the first chemists of the day,
deemed insuperable. Far from being disheartened
with these adverse opinions, Mr. Thomason proceeded
with his work with undaunted vigour, but, nevertheless,
with that degree of caution and circumspection which
such opinions expressed by such high authorities
might be supposed to excite. After some trials
upon lesser masses, he discovered that his success de-
pended upon a single point, viz. that of raising to, and
keeping at one certain degree of heat, the atmospheric
air of the chamber in which the process of bronzing
was carried on. After six days and six nights of unin-
terrupted labour lie found the colour beginning to ap-
pear, and certainly nothing could be much more dis-
couraging than its first appearance, for it bore' a much
greater resemblance to brick-dust than bronze. He,
however, persevered, and had the extreme satisfaction
of seeing every, day a progressive improvement, and
on the thirteenth day produced a fine rich bronze
of a reddish hue, the exact colour of the antique.

It has two handles, and the ornaments consist
of the attributes of 134cchus, and here and there pro-
files of the jolly Silenus are seen peeping from be•.
neath the leaves of the vine and clustering grapes, with
wreaths of which the Vase at the top ilnd bottom, and
in ,the middle, is surrounded. These leaves are inter-
spersed with the steins and branches of the vine; the
whole beautifully and sharply wrought in has relief—
Lents quibus torn o radii 8 uperadd iis vit is
Diffuses ederi vestit paLlente coryuibus
Iu medio dun signs.--.

Et =lli circum eat amiss amplexue acantho.

These ornaments were copied in wax from the ori-
ginal in Warwick castle, by ArtistS specially appoint-
ed. by Mr. Thomason, not by impressions from the
Warwick Vase, but by modelling, and this was the
reason why so much time was occupied in this process.
The ornaments were cast separate from the Vase, and
are secured to, it by nuts and screws, and the whole of
the interior of the Vase is then covered with a copper
double gilt lining, and thus the nuts • and screws are
effectually concealed, and an exact representation of
the original; even to the thickness of the marble of
which it is composed, has been preserved. The work
was commenced in the year 1814, and finished in
1819. Medals representing the Vase, and recording
this fact, have been cast'.

The late and present Emperor of Russia have each
made two, offers to Mr. Thomason to purchase this
production of modern art at the sum of 10,000/., but
Mr. Thomason, anxious for the honour of his country,
and that this first and only specimen of extraordinary
metal casting should not go out of England, has re-
flised each offer. We trust he will be rewarded for
his skill and patriotism, and that the Thomason Vase
may one day become public property, and be deposited
in the British Museum, a monument of the national
taste, and a proof of the perfection to which one branch
of art had arrived amongst us.

The ceremony of Confinnation was performed the
other day by the Bishop of Chester, and a little boy.who men-
tioned his intention to atvad the rite, being asked its nature and
objeets—" Why I shall take upon myself all the sins of my god-
fathers and godmothers, and be liable to serve in the militia."—
Brighton Gazette.

ANot.n!to.--Quin thought angling a very cruel di-
version, and on being asked why, gave this reason—" Suppose
some superior being should bait a hook with venison, and go a
ouenntng,
' I should certainly bite, and what a figure I should cut
dangling in the air !"—Brighton Gazette,
GAME LAWS.--A young gentleman was tried
here on Saturday last, befiire a quorum of Commissioners of Sup-
ply, on a complaint at the instance of the Solicitor ofTaxes fur
Scotland, for behoof of hie Majesty, founded on the Act of Geo.
111. c. 98, for killing game without a licence.. He was convict-
ed, and fined in the mitigated penalty of 101. sterling. Several
objections were stated on the part of the defender against the pro-
may be interesting to
se
y The statute
trleteedphulgb.lic,Oalsled 818t'el"stskatllotil.tetrielotlaibijoetcticei"i: briefly.provides, that " where the offender has not sufficient minis to pay
the penalty, he shall be committed to the House of Correction,
there to remain any space of time not exceeding six calendar
months." It was argues, that the fact charged; though created an
guilt—tleat the throe Laws
are odious sraantduten;:inresvoslivvede, annod ensiTirtrattlry to the spirit of the corn-
terms ought not to be ex-
'elJr.udge acting under them is
!nen law of the lend—that as severe. penal con sequences are at.
tt
ae
nc ire dt tboy
bound to confine himself to the very letter of the enactment, in a
tilneelpviiicoalattioione—e otfhtahteme,betl
matter of such delicacy and importance us the liberty of the sub-
ject—and that therefore to grant,a warrant of commitment to
the common gaol, would be an excess of power for which the
CoMmissiouers would incur serious responsibility. Another
young man was triad and convicted at the same tune. The same
objections were urged on his part, but they were repelled in both
cases: consequently, intimations were given of appeals to the en-
suing Circuit. Court of Justiciary. If the above reasoning
sound, imprisonment cannot follow a contravention of the Game
Laws in the northern counties, until a new legislative provision
is obtained, or we have a tiomeof(Airreecitm...th veriten Courio.