The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1838-09-25 00:00:00

THE EXHIBITION OF PAINTINGS.

The Exhibition improves upon inspectian. We grow more
and more pleased with it the more we criticise it. The pre-
sent Exhibition is a strong proof of the value and benefit of
inch an institution, in the improvement of taste, and in lead-
ing to an improved cultivation of the fine arts. The number
of good paintings in the present Exhibttion is tenfold that of
preceding Exhibitions. In the former Exhibitions, a good
picture might be said to be the exception—the rule, as to
paintings being barely passable, and sad trash. Now the
case is altered, and good paintings may safely be pronounced
to be the rule.
No. 21. " Highland Gillie restraining two Deer Hounds
until the wounded Hart breaks from the Herd," is a good
picture, boldly and well drawn. The dogs are exceedingly
well and spiritedly painted. The scenery strikes us as too
cralgy and broken.
No. 22. " A Halt on the Fells, Cumberland," is one of
Cooper's best and happiest efforts. Apart from his known
excellence as a cattle painter, the whole scene is beautifully
and naturally drawn, and the colouring is exquisite. It re-
presents a halt of bullocks and sheep on the fells, to rest and
refresh them, and the peasantry arriving with pails,
to bargain with the drovers for the milk. The bull and cow
in the foreground are beautiful specimens of animal painting.
The blue misty appearance thrown over the background
scenery and the distant bills, is exceedingly fine. Altogether,
this is a very splendid painting, and a great ornament to the
Exhibition.
No. 23. " View of the Upper Lake of Killarney, Ireland,"
is one of Williamson's beautifully finished paintings of fairy-
like scenery. It represents a lovely landscape view, which
is so exquisitely finished—has such a soft mellowness of ap-
pearance, that it is more perfect than nature. It is fine to a
ault.
No. 24. " View on the Forth, Stirlingshire," is a well
Painted and well chosen landscape scene, by Miss Jane Na-
smyth. The style is easy and natural, and the colouring
good.
Na. 25. " Forest Scene," by Deane, represents a forest
scene in autumn's varied garb. It is well painted, but the
colouring is rather gay and glaring.
No. 26. " Near Hastings—Sunset." The light and the
reflection of the setting sun on the water are well managed.
The sun, however, can hardly be called " setting," as it is in
this painting represented a good hour above the horizon.
No. 27. " Curlers." This represents a winter scene on
the ice in Scotland, and a number of men actively engaged
in the game of " curling." This is a game peculiar to Scot-
land, and the spirit of it is barely understood by us Souther-
ners south of the Tweed, by whom it is not practised. If the
painting gives a fair idea of the game, it would appear to be
one of great interest and excitement, and one that seems to
warm the blood of old men engaged in it. The game is
similar to the English game of bowls. It is played on the
smooth and slippery ice with round kettles, the handle of
which is at the top, and the kettle is made to spin round on
the ice, and is projected to a mark at some distance: each
player being armed with a whisk, anxiously sweeps away
every particle of ice from the smooth surface, which can stop
its "award " curling" to the mark. The painting is beauti-
fully drawn, and is full of spirit and character, and there is a
beautiful glow of colouring over it. Altogether, it is a sweet
painting.
No. " Hindostanee Nautch during the great annual
festival at Modlali, with the tame tiger of the city of Hyder-
abad, in the Deccan, East Indies." This painting represents
a motley sroup of Eastern figures, assembled under one of
the magnificent East Indian forest trees. There is much fine
colouring in it; but to us the background seems flat—it
seems wanting in perspective and confined—indeed, it ap-
pears like a painting on canvas. There is a warmth of co-
louring about the whole, which distinguishes it as one of
Haven's paintings.
No. 29. " Portrait of Mrs. Nesbett, as neighbour Con-
stance, in Sheridan Knowles' Comedy of ' the Love Uhase,' "
is a highly finished and beautiful painting of a very beautiful
and accomplished woman.
No. 30. "The Light of the Harem," is an indifferent,
gaudy picture, representing a Mussulman reclining on
cushions. and a fair Circassian serving him with coffee.
No. 31. " A Hunting Scene," is a small, well finished
painting of a mounted huntsman in the foreground, and
hounds breaking cover in the distance.
No. 32, " Scene near Shrewsbury," is a well painted
snatch from nature of the beautiful scenery of the midland
counties. It is placed too high for so small a painting, to be
rutty appreciated.
No. 3.3. " Landscape —Evening," is a pretty miniature
snatch of scenery.
No. 34. " Looking at the Procession," is a very indifferent
Painting, representing some children or ladies looking out of
a Window at a procession. The idea is commonplace, and
that is cot redeemed by its execution.
....No. 35. " Still Life," is a feather painting of dead game.
father a misnomer.
Na, 36. " A Fresh Breeze," is a sketchy miniature sea
'Painting, of small pretensions.
" Sunset," is a very small, but exquisitely beau-
tiful landscape scene, with the tints of sunset upon it, by
Havel'. It has already been sold.
Na. 39. " Winning the Game," is an exceedingly beauti-
ful painting. It represents an aristocratic-looking room,
before the time of carpets. The carved wainscot, and the
polished oak floor, and the stained glass windows, with he-
raldic symbols, are beautifully painted. The room is strewed
about with a number of little elegant luxuries. In the fore-
ground the aged lord and lady of the mansion are engaged
playing chess, and the lady is lookina with a quiet, yet tri-
umphant smile, at her puzzled and thoughtful opponent, as
she is giving the move which will check-mate him. In the
aground,backrod as oung gallant, dressed in the gay trappings of
the ying particular attentions to one of the daa ters, whilst her sister, whorl
• tance, is quizzing and slily as considerately moved to di.-
a very beautiful paintin watching them. Altogether, it is
Na. 40. " The
watching outside his le \Vetch," represents an Arab,
It is well and freely drawn.
No. 41. " Troutbecelcu, near Ambleside," is one of those
minutely finished and luxuriant specimens of many-tinted
vegetation, which
tennporaries. distinguish Havell's style from his con-
Well. ‘,
drawn, lmt Edinburgh'
No. 43. " Flow
sitely finished from Greyfriars Church-yard," is
sketchY as a painting.
ers, fruit, insects, &c." This is an exqui-
land. his one of th
Painting
of flowers, &c by Mr. William Bur-
attentio°nsetioPaajup
ininatian and tings which requires close exa-
preciaeis t f 11 merits. There
are 101110 green leaves amongst the flowers, the veining and
bottlshading of which are beautiful. The colouring of some of the
eso is
walsioc
fly, eery fine. On a pear there is a laige blue
nuOn.
of
theh .11 looks like
.a perfect reality. A drop of water
too, is a triumph of art. A hay straw
bent downwards,noweisras'ehef d' ceuvre of imitation.
%d
No. 46. " Portrait of a Child," is•a sketchy daub, repre-
ing a delicate child and a rocking horse.
N°. 45. " Scene in Gunton Park, Norfolk," is a coarsely
Painted, badly coloured forest scene.

CORRESPONDENCE.

ST. PAUL'S WARD.

---
TO TIII? EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL ST/IND.,IRD.
lbli
Szn,--Your inserting the following facts will confer an
gation on one who has from his infancy to his present
moments shared in the adversity and prosperity of the Con-
servative cause. A CORRESPONDENT.

Slo,K-flowing you to be ever ready to resent injustice,
;hhors[ the bonds of tyranny, and represent the injuries of
;ose who are guided by a feeling of manly independence
(ltajltst a shaineless and-factious junta, viz. the Town-council
elormers of Liverpool, who say peace where there is no
object and in loud declamation declare that their primary
rMeet is a disinterested struggle for the people's rights. The
haple's rights indeed ! Away with such whining sophistry,
toe hackneyed
it has in nurnheilres instances been clearly- proved that
motto is but a bait used to delude and to
'w Without any further preface, let us come at once to thed
of the case. In the first place, I would respectfully
tsar
your attention to the period when the gentlemen who
omar wield the civic or town.council influence were out of
„les—when they thought it hard, very hard, cruel in the
110401, , that the late common council of Liverpool should
voi'f,e "en a self-elected body, and thought it vile that the
pas-,e et the people was not the lever by which the vacant
tie4l of honour were filled or renewed. All this, Sir, must
rrY fresh in the recollections of those who never coveted
hit'slNintial blister," in the shape of municipal reform, at
144`,111 ita present shape, which has been conceded to the
toe f is a national boon ; and it cannot be forgotten how
se "WY-called "liberal" press thundered forth its remon-
lit:"ea. denouncing in the strongest terms, with feelings
vtirealn,n Venal, because a leaning was shewn to those who
4;11d tke mighty
h 6' the acme politics as the then common council. But
change! What say they now ? Is the
re
hem acing, any alteration in their sentiments on this
isth ? As Jonathan would say, I guess there is. I wonder
the `__similarityan between this race of perfection and
tee-relent l .of retrenchment, justice to
liberty, freedom,- short parliaments, vote by ballot,
VriticirlTAY in the civil list, no placemen, and about fifty more
liber"thwisps, when out of power; but now that these
4r, al, are in power, what `.l' To use a vulgar phrase, they
di m : their memory rather bad, their eye-sight rather.
libe_ their mind's eye pearled, their judgment altered, their
eery 'AI feelings frosted, their means straitened, indeed their
evhg altered.
tistsing over this subject for the present, I would further
Rood, ese Puritans, these professed sticklers fur the public
pe,r,e Protectors of vested rights, or rather usurpers over that.
the euted body, the licensed victuallers of Liverpool—if
toll iere Weighed in the balances of justice between man
k.'eteiitn, where would they be? My humple opinion
.is,
th And if men will not blind thtu emselves to the i
tviley have sustained, and their future interests, a tale
Mil 1- told these usurpers on the Ist of November next, that
ir!jariLltell the liberals men's noses are not to be held to the
"Itrin„,R*llo4a without knowing reasons why, or at least
Juttr aticit gentle treatment in mind.
hrt 0 th fat apart this innovating system, I charge the liberal
°lest e.eouzicil of Liverpool, in the next place, with the
41,'4-,:nlipsitt partiality because they have endeavoured to
4etily".: to the full e'xtent, that line of conduct they so
leePtie Wl,4leutned in their predecessors; surely the most
"Aid / I not question that ?—for those who run may read.
jelect,d 44,1, without fear of contradiction, that they have
e every tied,
nto te 17 liberal candidate whom the people have re-
: !ees he More honorary post of an alderman whenever
:N eee th_Y has occurred, in very defiance of those whose
Strin Pretend to hear, and whose interests they profess
4.N1 ruoginen and to guard. Oh, shame on such hypocrisy!
ride re 4/ale to those who will tamely yield to be thus
sett
city reugh-shod by such insulting anti tyrannical
It I}.l
lhat trahltY be
pro said how can you avoid it ? My answer is—
i ye riow
thP e whom they have every thing tiut sp.at urn,
111,t, they e °leans of chastising this tyrant majority. Ycs,
ti;:ait? tha.e, noel a rod in their hands; but how will. they
"L tyr " the question • perhaps, although convinced
en* thennY does prevail, 'and* that the liberals have not
Jodi their left4r eat 411(1 the
yet there are, perhaps, some scrapings of pre-
4q. would 0, may use. the rod, like atto7:ntdooulglaetteittit,
by fond infatuation
an erring child, and when
„eyw tatuation he has made a rod to whip himself.
t,aedon for
):vtis fine a moment longer, and let us take one.
h!ecti, .trnce, say St. Mauls. On the first municipal
h_an, • Stuart was one of the three candidates for St.
reittt`er7,
but
it was the people's pleasure that he should
these wily hi);r:ttlthall not reject Mr. Stuart and, consequently, elect
creatures of the council-room
7 nut 27 More honorary post of an 'alderman.
siee'rrrocutnstances occur that places St. Paul's ward minus
reater part of the
nei'Pectrullayna,rear: Now, mark how
I heat the
,!nhabitants of St. Paul's ward are treated
n Irish J"r• Ihe ensuing November election arrives, and
a reublican, one, who perhaps, Sir F. Burdett would
Richard
;
P•smire; and be it known, this gentleman,
• ttlehard
considers it degrading to his dignity, or
at least a titer of great condescension to petition the
highest brano th"legislture, the House of (See his his
when speechspeaki the meeting of the Reform Association,
pie, this Iriehlearibtoleuteinicipal reform for Ireland.) Well,
and the electis a candidate for Scotland ward,
ors feel ;tantneir pleasure to eject him from the
lunch.co But what say the town-council to this? It is our
pleasure you shall not reject Mr. Shiel, and they take and
cram him down our throats, Stuart. in the room of Mr. Alderman
Note, I would •sk any man who has a spark of
feeliaß left, if his blood ask
not boil with the most con-
temptuous indignation at such conduct?
But there are more dirty tricks vet. On the first muni-
cipal election for St. Paul's Ward, the polling-booth was
placed in a most convenient and central part of the ward,
namely, Mr. Mather's, Earle-street but, on the following
election, because Mr. Mather had consented to allow the con-
servatives to occupy his parlour for their committee-room,
which the radicals bad the time before, they (the radicals)
have it removed; where would you think gentle reader? (and
they must have obtained the consent of the mayor for it)