Star.
London, England, 1830-09-21 00:00:00

THE FINE ARTS.

At the National Gallery, a notice is posted op there that « the rooms
will be dosed from the 18th of the present month, until the let of No-
vember next :" this is the usual six-weeks' vacation. Ids rather strange
that this collection, which has cost the nation so much money, should
not even now, after so many years' delay, have had a proper suite of
apartments provided for its reception. In their present lodging, how-
ever, they cannot remain much longer, as these premises will be wanted
almost immediately, standing, as they do, in the way, and interrupting
the line of impravemenu going on in Pall-mall. The collection has
very recently been increased by " The Holy Family," by Sir Joshua
Reynolds; and " The Market Cart," by Gainsborough ; both of which
were in the most liberal manner presented to this establishment by the
British Institution. Some other valuable acquisitions are expected; but
it is not supposed any increase of its stock will take place until a suitable
building shall be provided commensurate to the importance of the sub-
ject, and creditable to the character of our country.
The Gallery of the British Institution, we find, is still open. We
recently instal our belief that 3,0001. would be realised here, by the ex-
hibition of the celebrated portraits by the late Sir Thrones Lawrence,
P.R.A. for the benefit of his nephews and nieces; we now find that the
surplus will amount to more than we at first stated. A full-length por-
trait has been added lately—namely, the Duke d' Angouleme. The
family likeness is very strong, indicating, it would seem, preponderance
of the animal and selfish propensities, without any alloy of intellectual
power; yet this is one of those persons for whose restoration the best
blood in Europe has flowed in torrents.
Among the works preparing for exhibition, which we bad not time
to notice in a former article, is one by Mr. Etty, R.A. being the third
of that series of the "Judith and Holofernes," which he was engaged
to paint for the "Scottish Academy of Painting." The picture is not
yet in a sufficient state of forwardness to admit of being criticised; but
in point of design we should think it bids fair to Burma all his former
efforts in historic art. The enlightened men of that Academy, who
have had the discernment and firmness to discover and reward native
talent in this high walk of the profession, deserve the thanks of every
one who desires to see the liberal arts prosper among us. We have
beard that the sum to be paid for the three picturss is 1,800 guineas.
Of this sum 1,000 guineas have already, we believe, been paid out of
the funds of their Academy. Those Scotsmen are not wealthy, as most
of our Nobility and Gentry are ; but they have good taste, liberality,
and judgment. it is with pain we have to contrast this noble conduct
of our brethren of the North" with that of " the Royal Hibernian
Academy." This latter, " though elder born," is in all respects of slower
growth and less generous principles; they have not yet been able to at-
tract the public to their exhibition in sufficient numbers to realise more
funds than are sufficient to keep the establishment from falling, into
debt. This unhappy state of things, as our information states, is
" owing to a low spirit of intrigue, which is dishonestly, and we hope
vainly, endeavouring to wrest this institution from its original pur-
poses, and to place it under the controul of a small junta, consisting of
one family, of little talent and less respectability, and one or two of
their humble followers." In opposing the mean contrivances of that
petty intriguers, the time of the honest and liberal men of the Academy
is frittered away in a great measure, Instead of being devoted, as era,
hour of it should be, to their progress in the art. We hope we shall
not hear any more of such base proceedings • probably the parties would
not like So appear unveiled before the public.
We return to the unfinished works :—Amongst them is a lap
Panoramic View of Madras, now proceeding rapidly to a finish.
The drawings are by Mr. Daniel, R. A. and he has got some
clever artists to assist him, but we do not think it will be opened
this season.

The Colosseum still continues to attract whatever there may be of
company in town. Since we tat saw it, the Swiss Cottage and its
surrounding scenery have :been much improved, or, rather, they are
completed, for they were not then finished. A Swiss peasant now
waits on the company, in the appropriate costume of the Canton at
Uri. We can fancy we are addressing a descendant of the immortal
hero, Tell—
Who, with the gen'rous rustics, sate
On Uri's rocks in close divan;
And winged that arrow, sure as Fate,
That fixed the sacred rights of man.

The conseevatorics are also in eacellent eoadition, which is the mote sur-
prising, as the greater part of the plants belong to the tropical climates,
and tome 'even to the Torrid Zone. La Fontaine ala Versailles is
universally, and, indeed, justly, admired ; bat, although the place is
now, and has been, visited by a great deal of company, we fear the spi-
rited proprietors will not speedily get a return of cher outlay. We think
they will have cause to remember the incapacity and blunders of that
man Horner. - -

Among the unfinished works of art, eolies progress, wrgis we may
mention the arch before the nondescript Palace at Pint ; remains
still in the state of a nett, ruin, and, from neglect, in not securing the
joints from the action of the weather, we know it must be quite rotten
by this time. It is woe& now about as many pence as it cost
The public will, however, long regret that it never will be fin=
, for the report goes to say that " it was to be ornamented with the heads
of Mr. Nash, the fantastic architect, and the Members of the Committee
of (at, ascertain witty bother called it, bad) Taste." Where those
heads were to have been placed the report doth not say ; but it is in-
ferred that Mr. Nashl was to be as the keystone, where it wouldjhave
served both for use and ornament.—Aforaiosp Paper.

OLD BAILEY SESSIONS, Sept. 20.

OLD COURT.

CAPTAIN RZLIIIIMeII (with whom was Mr.
Anor.vnus) applied to the Court to know when the trial of Captain
Helsham, who stands charged with the wilful murder of Lieutenant
Crowder, would take place ? It was desirable that the Counsel for the
defence should know the day fixed, for the purpose of allowing them an
opportunity of giving directions to Capt. Helsham's Solicitors to send
to Boulogne for the evidence that was required as to facts.
Mr. Justice BATLEY said as yet no commission had been issued by
the Lord Chancellor. _ _

It was finally agreed to postpone the trial of the ease until next
Sessions.

Samuel Hodgson, a soldier, was placed at the bar on an indictment,
charged with killing and slaying Susanna WHensie, on the 10th of
July last.
It appeared that on the 10th of July last, several children, amongst
whom were the deceased, were playing in the Stable-yard, St. James's.
They were amusing themselves by swinging on the chains which divide
the footpath from the centre of the yard. The prisoner was on duty as
sentinel at the time; he several times called out to them to desist; but
as they did not appear inclined to obey his commands, he went up to
deceased. knocked her off the chains, and kicked her violently whilst on
the ground. The consequence was, that the poor child's skull was
fractured so as to cause her death two days subsequently.
Several witnesses were called and examined at great length as to the
above facts; but, although several of the jurors on the coroner's inquest
were amongst them, the case for the prosecution failed, on account of
none of them being able to prove the identity of the deceased.
The trial of APCarilig, the prisoner charged with the murder of his
wife, is postponed until Wednesday morning.