The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1853-09-20 00:00:00

SECOND NOTICE.

ON entering the principal room, the eye is arrested by
a collection of fine pictures, hung at the left hand of the
spectator. The excellence of those pictures is attested in

no small degree by the

ally cong

FRITH, and OAKEs

* artists

iomage of visitors, wt

o are gene-

The contributions by the first-named

say, " old familiar

friends," having been exhibited elsewhere, and two of
them having been engraved.
The picture by TURNER, which stands number 24 in
the catalogue, is "Mercury and Argus," a title very little
suggestive of the painting or its subject. It is a finely
conceived landscape, embracing a beautiful combination of
land and water. The admirable urial effect in this picture
is charmingly characteristic of TURNER'S later style, in
which brilliant contrasts are more studied than the broad
and massive effects of light and shadows which distin-
guished his earlier and, in most respects, more meritorious
pictures. In the one before us, the composition is full and
flowing—the effect sunny and summer-like. Indeed it
would be difficult to meet with a pictorial landscape more
redolent of balmy sunshine than that to which we now
refer. The subject is divided by a ravine through which
a torrent dashes with impetuosity, its waters imparting a
cooling effect to the contrasting warmth of the sunburnt
earth. On the right hand is a mass of picturesque archi-
tecture, the mellowing tints of which mix and harmonize
with the glowing colours and radiant splendour of the sky,
while a grateful freshness is imparted to the whole by the
calm repose of the slumbering sea. The foreground, and
indeed the general colour of the landscape, is rich andwarm;
its prevailing lines are harmonious, the parts full without
confusion, and the light and shale nearly all that could be
wished. It is no uncommon thing to hear even candid
and good judges of pictures objecting to Turner's land-
scapes that they are slovenly in the drawing of details ;
and the one now under consideration is a good illustration
of the remark ; the men and animals are oddly and ill
drawn ; but take the general arrangement of the picture;
and its masses will be found graceful and well balanced.
The effect of its colour is sparkling and true to nature;
and, as a whole, it is a work of rare excellence and beauty:
29. " View of Gilnockie Tower and Bridge, Dumfries-
shire." By COTI.SY FIELDING. This is' a landscape in
many respects the opposite of that last spoken of. It is
natural and delightful in the general variety of its colour
and in its repeated horizontal lines. Expansiveness of
view, and truth. to• nature, appear to have keen the in-
tended features in; the' artist's mind when he' elaborated
the picture, and: the intention has been most happily
realized. Beautifully contrasting and amalgamating tints
enrich the middle distance ; and the foreground: is filled,
but not crowded, with picturesque objects of varied in-
terest and form. Tl is picture is eminently suggestive of
a clear, cool, and cheering atmosphere, bathing a richly
wooded, undulating country,-over which the eye swims in
gratified enjoyment.
2. "An Old English Merrymaking," by W. p. FRITH, RA.,
is a lively and pleasing, embodiment of rural life as that,
was witnessed in days not very long gone by. A greap
of merry village youths aushmaidens are assembled round
the village "gathering tree," and for their amusement
and delectation an old blind-fiddler and a youth are dis-
cussing such music as readily sets in motion the "merry
tinkling feet." A couple of hilarious damsels have made
capture of the village patriarch, -and are busily urging him
to join the jocund dance. The action and expression of
this group are highly pleasing, and artistic. The counte-
nance' of the old man is brimfilhof happy and contented
enjoyment, proclaiming him at once-to be—
" The gay grandsire skilled in gestic lore."
He' evinces the readiest sympathy with' the youthful
sportsp and seems reluctantly to, admit the time for such
sports' with him is over. His- youthful persuaders are
buiisoine, guileless, and bent on, their holiday. The other
corner' of the foreground is occupied by a fortune-
telling- gipsy, whose conscious, knowingness contrasts
finely with the credulity betrayed, in, the confiding coun-
tenance-4 her dupe. Nearly all the heads introduced into
this larguand well-filled canvassnre cleverly_ painted, and
display careful study and a ready; hand on the part of the
artist. The general effect of the picture is pleasing • it is
rich and good in colouring, and a fine -sentiment is irace-
able throughout the whole of the-animated scene.
20. " Llyn Dulyn, Carnarvonshire," by J. W. OAKES,
is a landscape in many respects highly meritorious. The
sky and middle-distance are finely managed, and indicate
a watchful, eye for the less common effects of: nature, as
these are to,ibe witnessed on moorland and hill.,

-- --
45. " Claudio deliberating the terms- of the- pardon
offered to him through his sister Isabella,". by W. H.
HUNT. This picture,
.to which the academy's prize of
£5O has been :awarded, is one of very considerable merit ;
and the position to which the award of the academy has
raised it, has..fren rise to a keen canvass of its merits and
defects. The latter of these appear to consist shiefly in
the commontLice attitude and action assumed by: the two
participators in the scene. The thoughtfulness of Claudio
is dashed and. marred by the trifing,—not to chit mean
idea of his playing with the am.cle-ring of his fetters,
while deliberating on the terms, of pardon announced by
his heroic ssiser; while that sister's earnestness: of ad-
monition is in no small degree deteriorated by tha.familiar
style of placisag both her hands upon her brother's breast,
not exactly as if in remonstrance with him,., bat as if
about to push. hint back with somewhat of a hoyden's
rashness. Apart from these drawbacks, however, there
are many points to admire in this pieture. The air and
general bearing of 'lsabella, are earnest and commanding ;
Claudio seems much perplexed, by the communication
Made to hint, and but for the incongruiV allufW to, his
demeanour- would be appositwasid just. In drawing and
pencilling, the subject is well treated ; the colouring is
rich, and iii many partiains the picturak,ia really
beautiful.

94. " Dime and Beatrice kt the Lunar Sp re," by J.
N. PATOII4 is a picture by no means stvikin!:on its
first presentment to the eye.. Look on it—examine—study
it, and the spectator,will ,be filly requited forithe labour,
which can , hardly prove other than one of lope. The pic-
ture consists of two groups differing essentiall from each
other, and each group displaying considerable variety in
itself. The head and bearing of the great poet are sug-
gestive of serenity and intellectual power ; • those of his
spirituarconductress are expressive of beatiflearepose and
tranquit. purity of thought and feeling. The mysterious
forms which,. flitting through the air, arrest the earthly
visitant; attention, are fine embodiments of unimpassioned
thought. The, scene is conceived in a truly poetic spirit,
and is- a highly artisfiit rendering of Dente's sublime
delineation. In the countenances of eacat of the chief
actors in the scene the .expression of subdued yet devoted
attaobment and unhesitating confidence is pemtrayed with
touching truth and beauty, yet not unmixedCwith inquiring
dubiety on the onehand, met by truthfuA serenity on the
other, whilethey contemplate with differing emotions the
graceful and etherialized forms floating before their vision,
with as sweet a. harmony as the musical creations which
haunt a poet's drew. The mechanicaLtreatment of the
subject is in ifine keeping with its conception:. The poet.
iS drawn and painted with firmness and decision; the.
colouring, though powerful, is simple ,and, unobtrusive..
Beatrice is delineated with grace andlenderness, exhibit-
ing a fine admixissre of ideal with corporeal beeuty; wlae
the, aerial figures described by Dante's companion;, as
" true substanees" are so delicately touched that they
seem melting„into the subtle ether- on, whose waves .they
whiel4 has .generally charac-
ohisfanaclie artist, and has given trk not
swim. In this; picture we are glad t,') recognise an absence
toefristhaedtiherterrankseeoft
a few of them a peculiarity, of mannerism bordering on the
extravagant. In this no artistiekpuezle is presented tothe
eye. Here-the labour is simplepthe effect charming.
42 and:, bO.. " Portraits of two,helies," by Jourratoamtr-
saw, sir excellent specimens ofßorizait painting, and highly
creditable to the state of art in..Llverpool; Albeit a little
heavy in style, both pictures aret with much artistic
skill, They are firm in the anode .of their haiulling, juicy
in texture, and of a fine lifelike aspect. Theeolouring is
accessories fresh and telling, without being-obtrusive.
Well chosen, and the
Powerful and pleasing, the attituclos
Z 3. " Portrait of Thomas Berry Horsfalt Esq., M.P.,".
by G. PATTEN, A.R.A,, 15 a good picture, with much
strength of colour and unman amount of excellent paint-
ing in it. The hands are well drawn and beautifully
Rebated, while the general actionis easy and unaffected.
48. " Portrait of Sir John Bent, recently Mayor of
Liverpool," by P. WBSTCOTT a.fall-length portrait, skil-
fully treated. The, head is well pointed and the colour
fresh and pleasing As a whole. the picture is a good
specimen of portrait art, and win, form a gratifying me-.
mento of the esteem in which Sir JOHN BENT is held by-
his friends and fellow-townsmen.

THE STE'AM-SHIP GREAT BRITAIN.,

THE following are extracts from a letter which hasjust
been received by a gentian= in Liverpool:—

On board the Great Britain,
St, Vincent. Cape de Verds, August 96,14853.
I never enjoyed better health, nor have I experienced,
the least sea sickness. * * * Oa Saturday,
the 13th, we spoke the ship Sciotta, of Brunswick, bound
for London. Although we have had the disadvantage of
head winds. and calms, on the 19th we sighted and passed
the Island of Madeira, the distance from Liverpool to
Madeira being about 1,300 miles. On the. 22d, we spoke
the ship Alexander Barham, from Liverpool, bound to
Calcutta, lat. 24 deg. 8 N., had been out 37 days, thus
demonstrating the sailing qualities of the ship Great
Britain. The fact is, we fly past every vessel we meet.
We sailed past two full-rigged ships this morning. While
I am writing, they are preparing the anchors ready to
enter the harbour of St. Vincent, which we expect to
reach in the morning (Wednesday morning), to take in
coals and water.

Messrs. Gibbs, Bright, and Co.'s overlooker, Captain
Martin, has come out with U.S to test the sailing qualities,
&c., of the Great Britain, and to report upon the same.
I expect he will land at St. Vincent, and go to England
by the Southampton mail boat. Captain Matthews is
very kind to the passengers—he is a very humane gentle-
man, and worthy the command of such a ship.
We have a Wesleyan missionary and likewise a minister
of the Established Church on board. We have morning
and evening service on the Sabbath days, which is a very
great privilege. Captain Matthews has prohibited swear-
ing under a penalty of five shillings. * * *
While I am writing this letter, one of my messmates
calls me on deck to see an emigrant vessel called the
Hope, from Glasgow, bound to Melbourne. She left
Glasgow on the 10th of July, it would have delighted you
to see how surprised they were to see our ship. We have
left her like all the other vessels, far behind. Just now
we spoke another vessel, a three-masted schooner from
Liverpool to Port Natal. She left Liverpool a fortnight
before us. _ _ _

We are now in the Bay of St. Vincent; we have just
caught a large shark, about ten feet long—they knocked
out his eyes—they also ran a boat-hook into his mouth,
the handle of which he smashed off directly. St. Vincent
is the most barren place you ever beheld, not the least sign
of vegetation. All in the vegetable way is brought from
an adjoining island called St. Antonio.

Tire CITOLSILA.—The London Gazette of Friday con-
tains an Order in Council that the provisions contained in
the Act for the prevention of Epidemic, Endemic, and Con-
tagious Diseases, be put iu force throughout the whole of
Great Britain immediately from and after the date of the
Order, for a period of 014 Calendar months,

ISTAR-CHAMBER PRACTICE: ROMAN-
ISM IN A BRITISH COLONY.

IT is bad enc

gh in this country to witness the truckling

of our effete administration to the insolent assumptions
of Romanist traitors, but they have gone a step farther in
the Colonies and realiSed in the dominions of our Christian

Sovereign QUEEN VICTC

the pious Jews were thro'

would not f

11l down and

ship ti

NEBUCHADNEZZAR the king, had set up in
The law of GOD says that man shall not fall down nor
worship the likeness of anything ; magistrates in a British
Colony inflict a fine and costs on a British subject, for not
performing an act of idolatry, at the bidding of the
minions of the Church of Rome. We subjoin the report
of the case from the Quebec Gazette. It will speak for
itself :

" Before Alexis Derouselle and Jean Baptist Parant,
Esquires, Justices of the Peace, residing in the parish of
Beauport, 4th June, 1853. Narcisse Filian, of Beauport,
was summoned on complaint of Laurent Gosselin, of
Beauport, constable, for having on Sunday, the 29th May
last, being the day:of the Procession, behaved himself in a
disorderly manner at the door of the Beauport church, by
keeping his hat on his head during the' procession of the
most Holy Sacrament, which was then proceeding from
the church to the neighbouring chapel, and by telling the
said constable that he had no right or authority to compel
him to take his hat off, and that he would keep it on in
spite of him—them and there bringing into contempt the
authority of the said constable. Filian having been tried
on this novel accusation, was convicted and fined five
shillings, and twenty-one shillings and threepence costs,
with imprisonment not exceeding eight days until paid,.
should his goods and chattels prove insufficient to meet
the amount. A certioarari was this morning allowed to
remove the conviction to the Superior Court.--Quebec,
sth July, 1853."