Star.
London, England, 1824-04-21 00:00:00

7HE SACRIFICE OF THE VIRGINS.
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Of the few who devote themselves to the highest
branch of painting so fest, are successful, that a grand
historical work is as rare as it is admirable. It was,
therefore, with no very sanguine expectations that we
visited a picture now exhibiting, painted by M. Van
Bree, a Dutch artist of first rate eminence and extra-
ordinary popularity. Our surprise was not less great
than agreeable, when on the very first view it was ob-
vious that this was a noble effort. The subject is the
choice by lot of the Athenian Virgins to be devoured
by the Minotaur, and Theseus offering himself as their
deliverer. The moment of action is when King Egeus
is in the act of announcing the name of Milita, the seventh
and last of the Virgins, to be sacrificed.
The general effect of the picture is grand and classical.
The back ground is delicately painted and judiciously
disposed. The principal group presents numerous
beauties. The figure of the fainting victim is graceful
expr,tssive, the drapery of the next female figure
is arranged with exquisite taste, the Ethiopian slave is
full of character, and the countenance of the Vi,gin who
is rejoicing at her escape from death might serve as a
model for a personification of Joy. Some of the other
heals are striking, and the scowling looks of the two
Pallantides cuntrast well with the general feeling.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.

GUILDHALL

Yesterday Vitt Hughes was charged under the following circum-
stances :—llenry Alatnews stated that he is a cibin.s-maker in
Ludge-row, riot he Wai standing in his shop about the hour of
three o'clock in the afternoon of Monday, when two gentLmen en-
tered It, and inquired the inlet: of a very valuable toilette cl•iss. On
their receiving an answer as to its price, they left the shop. The
witness had occasion to siep to >< neighbour's for a few minutes, and
on his r;:!arn he miswo the glass. lie accordingly followed in the
directio❑ the two Gentlemen took, anti us he g,.t to the top of
Geor;;e•street, leading into St. Swithin's-lane, he s.tw the prisoner,
who is a porter, carrying the glass, and at a little distance before him
were the two (ientlrturn wins had been in his shop ; he stopped the
prisoner and took the glass, and gave bins in charge of the street-
keeper. The two Gentlemen—fur they were such in appearance—
seeing this, made off, end eluded all the exertions of the witness.
The witness said he had lost many valuable articles in this way.
Ti.prisoner made no resistance on his apprehending him; and, in
his defence, said, that he was standing at the Mansion-house gate,
when two Gentlemen came up to him, and one of them, bearing the
glass in question, asked him if he was a porter, and giving him the
glass, told bins to follow them, which he did ; but he had not the
glass five minutes in his possession before the last witness came up
and stopped him, and he told him, in answer to his question, where
he got the glass, and pointed to the two Gentlemen, saying it was
frons them he got it ; be knew nothing more about the glass or the
two Gentlemen.

Mr. Mathews corroborated the last part of the prisoner's defence.
Mr. Alderman .ITKINs said that there were so many deceptions
and frauds of this kinti practised on the citizens of London, and so
many persons participating in :hem under the general name of por
ter, that he thought he would nut be doing his duty if he should
discharge the prisoner, unless he brought forward most respectable
and unexceptionable testimoni as to character; 1w would there.
fore give him a few days for that purpose ; and he was remanded
accordingly.

Hciary Lane was brought up, charged with a felony.—Mr. Thos.
Jones deposed he lives iu the City-mad, and is a ginger•hetr and
soda-water manufacturer. Ile had occasion to go into Cheapside
on Monday, and leaving hi; gig at hi; friend's duor, went in but
on his return he found a valuable great-coat had been taken front
the gig, and on looking round. flaw the Frisoner in the custody of
an officer, and the coat in the officer's possession.
Ryan, the officer, stated that he saw the prisoner walking up
and down by the gig, and st,:vning very anxious and intent upon
something ; lee thererofe watched hint, when he saw him come up
to the gig, and whilst patting the horse with one hand, he removed
the coat with the other. ►le then eh-parted, but witness soon se-
cured lint.—The prisoner made no defence.—lle was committed to
New,;.,te fur trial, and the parties bound over to prosecute. •