The Sun.
London, England, 1829-07-09 00:00:00

FINE ARTS.

Amongst other works of art about to be intro-
duced into the King's new residence, in St. James's
Park, are four bas-reliefs, which"are to be placed on
the four sides of the great staircase, in compartments
prepared for their reception. The subjects chosen
by Mr. Stothard, R.A., to whose care the design
has been entrusted, are the Four Seasons and of these
Spring is already so far completed as to be in a fit
state for the moulder. The execution of the designs
and the preparations of them for their final destina-
tion are under the core of Mr. Alfred Stothard, who
appears, as far as he has gone, to have fully imbibed
the spirit in which the original drawings have been
conceived.

Spring, which, as we have already stated, repre-
sents a beautiful female, whose liveliness of counte-
nance and elast'city of motion are typical of the sea-
sons she embodies. On one side of her Earth is re-
cumbent at her feet, and the little minions of her
will are about to crown him with a wreath composed
of those flowers which nature, in obedience to her
ordinance, has released from the bondage of winter.
On the other side of her Venus appears stepping
from her cell, as though she had just quitted the
sea, again to visit, hand in hand with the smiles of
Spring, her favoured haunts on earth. Beyond
these figures again are seen groups of dancing Fauna
and Dryads, the lightsomeness of whose action well
pourtray that they have already drunk of the sweets
which Spring sheds upon the whole created world.
From this sketch of the design it will be per-
ceived that it is replete with fancy, and that the sub-
ject has been treated in a manner well suited to the
gaiety of the allegory. We are happy also to be
able to afford equal praise to the style in which
Mr. A. Stothard has executed his father's design, as
it appears to be full of the spirit originally brought
to bear on the drawing of the artist.
Summer and Autumn, two of the other designs,
are also in progress, and promise to be close rivals
of Spring; as far, however, as we can judge from the
design of the artist, Winter seems to hold out much
greater hope than any of the others. In this design
the figure that represents Earth is placed in the cen-
tre, in a crouching posture, as though asleep, or
rendered inert by the influence of the strange being
that is hovering over him, and about to envelope his
frame in an icy cloak; on one side the fierce hunter
and the fiercer dogs are in full cry after the panting
deer; on the other, Age and Youth are close ga-
thered over the fire that they have kindled to sub-
due the cold—both of which situations have been
worked upon by the artist with considerable skill,
and in themselves afford, by the strongest contrast of
repose and activity, a noble field for the talent of
the designer.

DEATH OF LORD HENRY FITZGERALD.
—Died, yesterday morning, at Boyle Farm, Surrey, Lord
HENRY FITZGERALD. His Lordship was brother to the
late Duke of LEINSTER, and was born in the year 1761,
and married in 1791, to CHARLOTTE BOYLE WALSINO-
HAM, now Baroness DR Roos. He had enjoyed good
health till within the last few months, when his disorder
made the most rapid progress. At an early period of his
life he entered the army, and served in the We►t Indies
with the present Earl of HARRINGTON. Endowed with
a good understanding, united to principles of the highest
honour, his manners were the most engaging. To his
other excellent qualities of a cheerful mind, he added the
true character of a perfect gentleman. He was sur-
rounded by an affectionate family aid numerous friends,
who were sure to find under his roof the most cordial re-
ception;and all that was hospitable and convivial. Long
will his loss be felt by those who knew how truly deserv-
ing he was of the estimation in which he was held.

We are happy in being able to contradict,
from indisputable authority (Sir H. HALFORD), the idle
rumours that have recently been set afloat (doubtless to
serve some sinister purpose) concerning the health of the
Duke of CLARENCE. The truth is, that his Royal High-
ness has not for these ten days past enjoyed better health
than at present. The report, however, has served to prove
to the Illustrious Duke the ardent respect and attachment
to which he has entitled himself from all ranks of the ho-
nourable profession to which he belongs, and to which it
has been his chief pride and happiness to serve. The
anxiety that has been felt on the occasion throughout the
Navy has been largely manifested by the innumerable at-
tentions his Royal Highness has in consequence received
from his brother Officers, to whose disinterested and grate-
ful minds there could be no higher gratification than the
knowledge assured to them in return of the falsehood of ru-
mours, which no small pains seem to have been taken to
disseminate and support. In confirmation of the above,
we have to state with much pleasure, that his Royal High-
ness presided, with all his wonted urbanity and excellent
spirits, at the Anniversary Dinner of the Elder Brethren,
at the Trinity House, on Thursday last.

The diabolical practice of spoiling ladies'
dresses by throwing oil or powerful acids over them, still
continues in this city.—Bath Chronicle.

Count de MONTHOLON, who acquired ho-
nour by uniting himself to the fate of NAPOLEON, and
who obtained from that unfortunate Prince a great fortune
as the reward for his devotion, after having dissipated his
property in silly extravagances, has just been condemned
by the Court of Correctional Police to imprisonment, for
having unduly appropriated to himself the sum of 33,0001.
It is melancholy to see thus tarnished a reputation acquired
by a noble act.

Poor VIDOCQ, the Prince of modern thief
takers, has been himself for some time in durance vile at
St. Pelagie, in Paris; his habits are expensive, and he has
embarked in speculations which have not succeeded; an
unconquerable passion for play is also said to possess this
renowed ex-police-man, whose talents, acquirements, ad-
ventures, and exploits, leave our TOWNSENDS, PLANKS, et
id genus time, at an immeasurable distance.

During the tour of NAPOLEON and MARIA
LOUISA in Holland, in 1810, the burgomaster of one of
the towns which they visited caused the following in-
scription to be placed on the triumphal arch through which
their Imperial Majesties were to pass:—
" Il n's pas fait une Sottise,
" En epousant Marie-Louise."
NAPOLEON no sooner read the inscription than he in-
quired for the burgomaster, and addressing him thus—.
" So, M. le Maire, they cultivate the French muses in
Holland ?"—" Sire, I write a few verses." "Ah ! you
are the author, then. Here, do you take snuff ?" (pre-
senting a snuff-box surrounded with diamonds)—." take
this, and _ _

" Quand vous y prendrez une prise,

" Rappelez voue de Marie-Louise."

A new aspirant has appeared on the scene in
the person of a mason, of Normanby, named PORTOLZRE,
who claims to be Louis XVII. He bas been arrested.

COUNTY OF GALWAY REGISTRY.—The
registry was finished at Tuam a few days ago, when the
names of about 100 freeholders were entered ou the books
of the county.— Connaugl,t Tournal.

It is said that the practice recently introduced
by certain legal characters, of laying aside the judicial
costume, has been noticed with marked disapprobation in
a high quarter.

The price of lead is very low at present, which
occasions the miners to utter load complaints. At one
time it sold as high as from 351. to 401. per ton, and now
it is down to 141. 10s. or 115/, which is little more than
the cost of the workmen in getting h.—Sheffield Iris.

Two young gentlemen, in military.atore,
through St. Ives, by the coach, on Saturday last, about
four o'clock, and reached Wishech about nine. They did
not remain there long, but returned in a post•chaise, with
a young lady of fortune, and were at St. Ives again by
eleven o'clock, on their way to town, whither they pro-
ceeded most rapidly. They ordered relays of horses on
their way down by the coach...--.1./I.4ntinydon Mercu7.