The Sun.
London, England, 1829-05-08 00:00:00

THE COLOSSEUM.

This very popular and magnificent Exhibition is fast
verging towards a completion; and, if we may judge from
the numbers that continue to visit it, and come away no
less delighted than astonished at the stupendous size, un-
equalled accuracy, and masterly painting of the Pano-
rama of London alone—to say nothing of the other
parts of the Exhibition—we shall not hesitate to assert
that its popularity, so far from diminishing, is rapidly
on the increase. With regard to the chief object of attrac-
tion, the painting, it is nearly, if not quite cotnpleted.
The harsh effect produced in one or two instances by the
appearance of smoke over the city is removed, the penpee-
tive of the adjacent county on all sides is brought mit with
more strength and distinctness, the colouring is in
parts strengthened and made bolder, the heavy waveless
leadenAlke look of the river between two of the bridges
is softened into something infinitely nearer nature ;
and the tout-ensemble is rendered more vivid, start-
ling, and real. As regards the noble co:iservatory and.
aviary, they too have been much improved since our last
visit ; nor must we omit the Alpine c,litage, of which a clear
idea '4B now given, and which (together with its romantic
appurtenances) is already in such a state of forwardness,
that a few weeks cannot fail to see it completed. A few
deviations from Mr. Hornor's original plan are, we under-
stand, on the tapis. His intentio4 of forming club-rooms
is to he abandoned, and the spate chalked out for their
erection to be supplied 1.).y a gallery, or something of that
nature, for the, exhibition of the first works of art—
chiefly those a the present day. Sir Tito3rAS
antcv,,, we have heard it whispered, will contribute his
4e,f(rwurres for this purpoac,, as will also many other
most eminent artists of the time. This, we think, is a
considerable improvement on the original plan, and will
supply the only 4dtliition requisite to make the Colosseum
the grandeAt, most comprehensive, and most unique PX,
hitlktis,ll of its kind ever yet behei‘i in Europe.

WEST'S GALLERY,

We yesterday visited Mr. W CST's superb Gallery of
Paintings, and know not wren we have been more enter-
tained. The eolleetior, abounds in variety,—there are
landscape, romance, history, biblical and profane, illus-
trated by one acid the same individual, with an energy and
prodiosl versatility of genius seldom found combined. The
two chief pictures, however, of the collection, are the
tOrist Rejected and the Death on the Pale Horse-_
the former of which is waked by pathos, and the latter
by sublimity. CArist Rejected appeals almost exclusively
to the feelings, Death on the Pale Horse to the imagina-
tion ; the first comes home to the heart, the last gratifies
and overwhelms the understanding. The figure of our Sa-
viour, eloquent and resistless in the calm stillness of its at-
titude, at once tells the story of the rejection, in lan9nage
far better than we can ever hope to employ. At a little
distance from bim is a kneeling woman with one arm
raised towards the ‘k thorn-crowned deity" as if in adora-
tion ; and close beside hint are other female figures whose
countenances and demeanour are full of tenderne-sha- I ~., :;:
sensibility. Of Death on the Pole Horse, as it i,r4alfeat..._ - ---'.
so well known, and so highly appreciated, rye Siii4isak, „.:&,,,.,,; -;:,at....
iWthiug more than that the appearance oftli.aiitglitv-4-;ef.:4 7. with his black pia fluttering round trim, and4l /j..!.' .v -
di
flashing in his hand, realizes all we can conceit W I •,," ' it- -
human grandeur and sublimity. Of a far diirertai4.: '..ilf :41.*:4g
is the little gem Cupid and Psyche, which 41411\, ..
~,,,. ttr
ous and graceful as the Christ Rejected is ljtv • vils," .I_,
thetic. In fact, there is sot a picture in the wrisd!g. c4,1'.:*..t.., '..?;.,,T
.1.1.. a ~- ..4-
lection that will wit amply repay inspection.