The Sun.
London, England, 1818-12-05 00:00:00

NATIONAL MEDALS.

Mr. "Thuile, the Projector of the grand Series of
Medals, at present publishing in London, to record
the Victories of the late War, is arrived in this
city.- We have heard much of this undertaking
through the means of the London Papers, and we
are now able to judge of their merits by occular
inspection. We do not process any particular
knowledge of the Medallic Art, but we have no
he.4itation in saying, as far as we are capable of
j.idging, that the Busts of the different characters
are cut with full relief, excellent character of flesh,
and a beautiful outline and finishing. The re-
verses also appear chaste, classical, and selected
with singular felicity. We are most struck ‘vith
the Busts of his Majesty and that of his Royal
Highness the Duke of York, which appear to be
engraved by a British Artist, Webb--that of
Napoleon, too, is admirably characteristic, and
sitwidarly well designed. Nothing can be more
neat and delicately executed than the reverse,
which represents his Majesty's ship the Belero-
piton. There are no less than five Heads of the
Doke of Wellington, all admirable, but distinct
in their chat acterislics—the reverses are occupied
with different subjects, taken from his Grace's
victories in the Peninsula and Waterloo.

It will not be denied that the British are a Na-
tional People—yet it is a complaint very generally
made, that the Government do not originate any itu-
provements which might serve to gratify this honest
and proud feeling. Waterton Bridge, for instance,
the most magnificent and expensive structure of
the kind in the world, is the work of individuals,
and not of the Nation. Similar works in France
are always the creation of the Government. Per-
haps this is as it should be. Yet we all know that
the Fine Arts can never flourish if the Govern-
ment of the Country manifest an indifference to
their progress. We look tip to the series of Na-
tional Medals as most eminently meriting the re-
gard of the Legislature. They have originated,
it is trite, with a private individual, but they
should be adopted by time Nation. There will he
found, we hope, an -Independent 'Member of the
House of Commons, who, if the Executive de-
cline interfering, will introduce this subject, legiti-
mately, before Parliament. We should be asham-
ed to suffer ourselves to doubt the success, of any
Motion, which would have for its obfrct the ad-
vancement of the Arts, and the reward of thii
Artists. At present the Artist altogether relitsl
on the patronage of the Public, whose interest

• .
teputtlion tire to inamsttly cOnce-me(l in the
achievements which these Medals commemoratc•
We trust,lfud indeed. feel ' tolerably certain, that
Mr. Modie will end, that.althogh lreland may
he deficient in means she will not be so in in-
clination, in lirOnsoting sO'landable an undertak-
ing. %V shall take another opportunity of mak-
ing some further remarks on ihislubject.—(Dub-
lin Evening Post, Dec. I )

'it** to give due praise to the efforts of
Genius and Patriotic L'al, we have taken the
above article from the Dublin Paper, but have
omitted all its splenetic cotaments,on the late I.inve
COINAGE, because we ate persuaded that, if it
elbibiteel supernatural 'skill, as issuing horn Go-
vernment, it would be sure of reprobation in that
Paper.—As to the imputed coldness of Govern-
ment with respect to the FINE Att'rs, the charge
is unjust. A Cothmittee of Taste has been insti-
tuted, 'consisting of the most upright and intelli-
gent charattersiu the Country, who impartially
decide onithe.merit of Works proposed for na-
tinoal Montnnents ; and it must be admitted that
Governinent has for many years past been employed
in the ardnous task of securing. the Country and
delivering Elrod! Those glorious objects being
nchieved, we May confidently expect that our
rulers will direct their attention to works ordo-
tuestic honour, if the narrow spirit of Party does
not endeavour to deprive them of the me,ios to
encourage Genius and remunerate Public Meth.,

LAW I'N'rELLIGE,NCE.

ROLLS' COURT, DEC. 4.

The Master of the Rolls was occupied from
nine in the morning till four, in hearing causes,
of no public interest whatever. In the coarse of
the day a else was called on, James v. the Vicar
ut Crbytion, which related to.the production of
accounts. A Gentleman,' by his will, had be-
queathed certain estates to the Vicar, Church-
wardens, and six inhabitants of Croydon, for th'e
purpose of building Corm t-house, a Butter-
market, and procuring a burying-ground. The
sums for each of those purposes were specified,
and the surplus was directed to be paid into the
Bank under the controul and direction of the
Court of Chancery. Some dispute arose about
the production of accounts, but no decision was
giver), as his Honour the Master of the Rolls
wished to read over the pleadings in the case.
Notice was fixed up in Court that his Honour
would, on the bolloiving day, sit in the Council
Chamber, in the Inn, in consequence of Sir Joist)
Leach, ibe Vice-Chancellor, beginning his sit-
tings to-tuorrow•