The Sun.
London, England, 1826-12-14 00:00:00

SALE OF PICTURES.

The picture mania has undergone a very great abatement al
well as any other mania. The catalogue presented to the nut
►nerous company on Saturday, at Robins's, set forth, amongst
others, " 12 originals for a Shakespeare Gallery, by Hamilton,
Northeote, Wheatley, and Peters ;" also two rare portraits cif
Buonaparte; two gallery pictures, by Stroehling ; and a select
private collection of great ►nerit, from Staffordshire. The praise*
fell from the auctioneer's lips in vain.
"Bartholomew Fair" (ilogarth). The Jews looked closely at
this picture, and began to cavil about it, when Mr. Durnford, of
Newport-street, frightened them by bidding Si. Just as it was)
knocked down, they had come to an understanding, and would
have contested the purchase, hut the buyer, as he said himself,
" had the grin upon them."
" Napoleon, as. a General Officer, with the order of the Legion
of Honour." Mr. Robins said, that this was one of three plO-
tures of Buonaparte which world be *old unreservedly. Hofoer
tunately, the master was not known ; but the likeness was one of
the best ever prodnced. _ _ _

One of the company asked, whether this was also the propel ty
of a bankrupt ?- Mr. Robins replied in the affirmative.
ORIGINALS FOIL A SHAKSPEARZ GALLEM—Those pictures
had been the property of Mr. %dna% and were by eminent
masters. Mr. Badnall had purchased them some time since at
108 guineas each, without frames, and they must have increased
in value in proportion as the artists by whom they were painted
rose in reputation. The first was by Wheatley, painted in 1792.
" Two Gentlemen of Verona: Valentine, Proteutt, Silvia, and
Julia."

" Ruffian, let go that rude uncivil touch—

" Thou friend of an ill fashion."

The bithlings were small and far between, upon observing which,
Mr. Robins pushed at the company with his wit, anti said, " These
characters have travelled a long way to make their first appearance
before you, Gentlemen, and I can assure you that they have a
right to expect a much warmer reception.--(Aloud laugh.)--15
guineas.
He then put up " Cymbeline ; Imogen, Bellaritrs, Guidarins,
and Arviragus." " Here's money for my meat."
This picture, and five other dramatic paintings, were executed
by the Rev. Mr. Peters, an artist of mediocre merit. There ,is
rather a curious anecdote told of him. Although orthodox, he
delighted to paint the females of the heathen Mythology, without
whereupon the Bishop gave him a hint,.wlthh caused
covering,
so great a change in his taste, that he soon afterwards produced
" A Resurrection." 16 guineas.
"Titus Andronicus" was knocked down at 15 guineas.
" Henry VI., Mother Jourdain, Bohnbroke, anti others;" Peters
—ll guineas.
"Measure for Measure : Isabella and Claudio in the prisotk;"
Ifamilton. 11 guineas.
" Romeo and Juliet, Then I'll be brief, Oh, happy dagger.!"

lh guineas.
" Well that ends Well : Parolles taken prisoner." 10
guineas. #
"Aa you like it." The description of the rescue of Oliver du
no's, by Orlando. • This -picture was wry much praised. Al-
t.hough,the text would imply that Oliver was overgrown with
"Iry not a hair was seen except upon the head and beard. 22
guineas. _ _

-- -
The other originals were knocked
down at the rate of from 10
The whole,
to 20 guineas each. .
" The Holy Family,"
itliiieorankexecre.ption, were purchased L}' Ml.'atßi:
land StephensoZ t
,
rence, by Raphael, 21/.
Portrait of Napoleon, as King of Italy, originally paiuted for
the Royal Palace at Milan, by
a miniature, once in the gallery
Andrea Appiani.
Mr. Robins said, that this was one of the only two that 800
"Part' had ever condescended to sit for, and that he had sat seven,
or eight times in order to Secure 'a perfect likeness; SO guineas,
Several other pictures went.off at the eatne rate.