The Sun.
London, England, 1844-10-12 00:00:00

THE BAS RELIEFS.

These are the most wonderful pictures we have ever
had the fortune to look upon. They are placed on the
south and north sides of the pedestal, and represent the
first and last victories of the Duke, namely, that of
Assaye, fought on the 23d of September, 1803, and Wa-
terloo, on the 18th of June, 1815.
The scene to the left of the relief, in the victory of
Assaye, represents the submission of the native chief to
Colonel Wellesley, and it is portrayed with a force and
a truthfulness far above all the praise which we can be-
stow. The dogged submission of the conquered old
chief, as he slowly moves forward to do obeisance, is
inimitable. He seems most unwilling to go through the
humiliating task, although one of his own officers is
whispering the necessity of the case in his ear. There
is likewise the figure of a Highland soldier, leading the
horse of a captive Prince, and one of Wellington's staff
introducing him—very fine, especially the countenance
of the Highlander. Colonel Wellesley is represented in
the middle of the bas relief on a beautiful steed, and
holding up his hand, in the act of receiving the subini.-
sion. The right side of the picture represents the battle.
In the foreground are two horses, in strong relief, draw-
ing a piece of artillery on a carriage ; and this seems no
ea,y task. The driver is flogging the off horse and
spurring the near one at the same time, throwing his
body well bask, and the animals are avid ntly struggling
with all their power to get the gun out of the difficulty
Behind the gun the troops are seen to advance, led on
by an officer carrying a flag, and cheering. The back-
ground is, of course, entirely Asiatic, with mosques,
minarets, &c. We feel it quite impossible to do anything
like justice to this section of the monument. New beau-
ties arise as we gaze upon it, and we should not be sur-
prised to learn that it is unequalled in Europe. There
will be plenty of time to study it in time coming.

THE BATTLE OP WATERLOO.
I 'Here we have a representation of the Church of Wa-
terloo, to the left, with Hougomont, in flames, in the
distance, broken guns and carriages, &c. The moment
seized upon is supposed to be that when the final charge
was ordered, and when the Duke is said to have ex-
claimed, " Up, Guards, and at 'em l" A party of the
Guards are in advance. with the Duke in the centre,
mounted and wearing a military cloak. The Marquis of
Anglesey (a very fine likeness), Lord, Hill, and another
officer, all mounted, follow behind, :in a group. The
likenesses here are excellent, and also the horses are re-
presented in action, with the greatest skill. There is a
dying soldier attended by a surgeon, and troops fol-
lowing behind. This is also a most affecting and mas-
terly group.
The small bas reliefs on the east and west ends of the
pedestal represent the soldier's return. The father is
seen sitting in his arm-chair, by the fireside, reading his
Bible, and the wife is flying to meet her husband with
uplifted hands, in token of joyful surprise, as the " poor
but honest soldier" opens the door. This is a most
touching piece, and tells its tale like one of Wilkie's
pictures.
The other represents peace and agriculture, with the
soldier at the plough, after all his labours, and after
having saved his country from the inroads of the foe.
The plough horses are exceedingly fine. The desire of
the artist in this picture seems to be the cultivation of
peaceful occupations, as the final and best conclusion to
war's alarms ; and he has certainly succeeded to the life.

THE QUEEN AND THE OTTER.
(From Punch.)
The glories of the bear-garden may yet return.
The jocund, hearty times, when royal Elizabeth gave
the majesty of her countenance to the baiting of
Bruin, may not be irrevocably passed away. No ;
when Young England reads the account of the otter-
hunt at Blair Athol, at which Queen Victoria pre-
sided, the said Young England may complacently
pat it' white waistcoat, believing that the wisdom of
our ancestors in the matter of bear-baiting will again
be manifest. Indeed, we do not see why cock-fight-
ing should not again flourish in all its wonted hearti-
ness. We have even hopes of long-neglected badger-
drawing.
It seems that Lord Aberdeen took his otter-hounds
to Blair Athol, where there are no native otters. In
a word, the hounds were appointed to a place in
which there was nothing to do ; an appointment often
made by Foreign Ministers, Whig and Tory. How-
ever, in due season, an otter was caught at Kelso, and
transmitted in a box, to be properly worried at Blair
Athol.

We are told that the Strasburg goose, that is tor-
tured to death for the sake of its enlarged liver,
"knows that it is dying for the honour of France,
and expires without a tear." We have this com-
fortable assurance in the Almanach des Gourmands.
In like manner, the otter—poor little wretch !—may
have known the greatness of its destiny as it travelled
in its box from Kelso, and thus have complacently
resigned itself to its fate. It may have known it was
a living dish to be set before a Queen, and been
pleased with its fortune.
It poured with rain, but nothing could damp the
heroic ardour of the sportsmen. Even the Queen
mounted her pony under an umbrella; and Prince
Albert particularly distinguished himself at the onset—
" For the Prince of all the land
Led them on."
We now come to the details :
" The otter was started at a point under the hill of
Tulloch, in the Garry-water, a few hundred yards above
the village of Blair Athol. The Prince followed on foot
close on the hounds, which hunted the otter a short dis-
tance up the river, affording pretty good sport, until at
length, in about twenty minutes after the first start, he
took to the land, and was seized by one of the hounds.
The huntsmen took him off, and flung him back again
into
where
adeePocl He darted to the other bank of the
stream, he earthed. Unearthed again by the
huntsmen, and started afresh, he gave the hounds some
trouble for about ten minutes longer, when they killed
him, and he was speared in the usual way by the hunts-
ueen was, and the hounds, of
men. The otter, when fairly spent, crawled up the
head
course,eaan
d whilek new a
were
r theyewhere
uponw e
rti
ehe Qt
worrying the animal." Her Majesty turned away her
This was to be expected ; but time and custom will
eradicate this amiable weakness, and we have no doubt
that next season otters may be worried to any extent,
without producing the slightest qualm in even the
bosom of a Maid of Honour. In these matters use is
everything. The little Spanish girl, who may tremble
and turn pale at her first bull-fight, in a brief time
witnesses all the glory of the contest with smiling face
and an applauding fan.
Great, however, as is the above achievement—
glorious as it is to contemplate the ardour of a Prince
Albert, the enthusiasm of a Foreign Minister, with
the tumultuous energy of Lords and Highland Chiefs,
appointed and arrayed for the e destruction of one otter,
"sent in a box from Kelso,' —it is in itself as nothing
compared to its utility as an example. Thus con-
sidered, there is really something of national import-
ance is a troublesomeintheotter
hunt of
body
fGarry.water.
There
of persons, calling them-
selves the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals. These people have in the most meddle-
some way interfered with the sports of the lower
orders. They have forbidden a harmless main of
cocks ; they have set their faces against the pleasur-
able and innocent excitement of dog-fighting ; duck-
hunting they have denounced as cruelty abominable;
indeed, there is no thorough English sport, enshrined
by the wisdom of our ancestors, that they have not
condemned as brutal and inhuman.

After the news from Blair Athol, we trust that
these poeple will feel themselves properly rebuked.
Sure we are it will be more than impertinence in
them to interfere with the sports of our countrymen.
Hence, the bear may again be baited to the delight
and edification of Englishmen ; the cock-pit at West-
minster may echo the triumphant clarion of conquer-
ing birds, and Copenhagen Fields be once more vocal
with the joyous cries of dog-fig,htiag Britons.
VIVAT REGINA I

THE LATE LADY HEYTESBURY.--The funeral of
Lady Heytesbury will be strictly private. Her Lady-
ship's remains will be conveyed for interment to the
family vault at Heytesbury, An Admiralty steamer
has arrived to convey the body to Bristol. His Excel-
lency the Lord-Lieutenant's brother and son will pro-
ceed by the same conveyance either on Saturday or
Monday next.
STAAIP AND TAX•OFFICE ASSURANCE SOCIETY.—
A general meeting of this Society, which is confined to
parties holding permanent employment under the Com-
missioners of her Majesty's Stamps and Taxes, was held
in one of the large rooms of the Stamp and Tax-office,
Somerset House, for the election of officers and general
business, Joseph Harris, Esq., supervisor and founder, in
the chair. The statement of accounts was submitted by
Mr. Alexander Roy, the secretary, who, in an appro.
priate address, congratulated the members on the con-
tinued prosperity of the society, and its increase both in
numbers and amount of capital. From correspondence
with almost all parties eligible to the society, he had
little doubt that ultimately all would avail themselves of
its advantages. He referred particularly to a communi-
cation from John Caird, Esq., "Receiving Inspector, Perth,
a zealous friend of the cause. Mr. Roy then read ex-
tracts from Mr. Caird's letters, explaining the views of
that gentleman, and urging the necessity of general sup-
port to the society. Mr. Roy further drew attention to
the list of members printed with the statement of ac-
counts, and eulogised the kind assistance rendered by
many in the higher departments of the Stamp and Tax-
office, who were anxious that the society's benefits should
be rendered available to every person connected with
the establishment.
[ADVERTISEMENT.]—NONE NEED BE SICK ! READ
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