The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1853-09-27 00:00:00

THIRD NOTICE.

110. "A Sheebeen at Donnybrook," by E. Nicol,. If
truth to nature, and the delineation of intensely individual
character, were to constitute the chief aim in pictorial
excellence, this elaborate cabinet piece by Nicol, would
stand immeasurably superior to anything in the exhibition.
Such, however, although one, • and no mean one, of the
legitimate objects of art, is by no means the only or the
highest of its recognised flights. To please, to charm,
and to instruct, are as much the vocation of the artist as
of the poet.

" How vain is learning, and how empty art,
Save where 't improves the mind or mends the heart,"

is an apothegm which should never be lost sight of by
either artist or author, and it is one which cannot be neg-
lected by either with impunity : the finest perceptions of
the poet, and the most ready emanations of the pencil or
the spatula, fall with impaired power and deadened effect
upon the senses, if not imbued with the spirit of elevating
benevolence or of humanising sentiment. Tried by this
test, the picture under consideration falls considerably
below the rank it ought to hold. Its composition is
masterly in the general arrangement of its lines and
groups : the pencilling and drawing of the individual
characters are minutely truthful: the action of each is
appropriate and expressive ; and the scene, as a whole, is
delineated with a force and accuracy in the highest degree
commendable. Yet, as a whole, it seems to us to lack that
amor divince, without which the efforts of genius are
comparatively ineffective. These apparently detractive
observations are offered in no captious spirit ; on the con-
trary, they are made in the belief that Mr. Nicol., being,
as we understand, a young artist, with more than the
mere elements of a great one in him, may pardon our
freedom and profit by our hints. We cannot part from
his picture, however, without saying a word in favour of
its merits, having dwelt so much, and it may seem so
ungraciously, on its shortcomings, which, we are bound to
admit, are not of an important nature. Of Mr. NtcoL's
powers as a keen observer and accurate as well as ready
delineator, this picture bears ample and decided evidence.
There are upwards of twenty figures in the group, and the
countenance, action, and demeanour of each individual
is distinct and true to nature ; each representative
of a separate and highly interesting idiosyncracy ; and
each rendered with a most perfect elaboration. Take the
knowing sot who winks his eye and smacks his lips in ap-
probation of the " poteen" which he has just been sucking
out of the bottle his fingers seem loath to leave;—the
singularly comic tapster, who is in the act of drawing a
refractory cork, immediately behind the epicurean bachanal
already alluded to ;—the dwarfed and shrivelled fiddler,
who, in the opposite corner screws his fiddle-pins as well
as his features in envious disdain of the more potent bag-
pipe, on which his exalted rival is screaming forth the
mysterious, mirth-provoking strains of a " real jig;"—each
is instinct with a life and meaning peculiarly his own. Let
us select
"The dancing pair, who simply seek renown
By holding out to tire each other down :"

the whispering lovers, or the ready, bantering jester;
each and all are brimful of telling and appropriate ex-
pression. The accessories, too, are of the right and truth-
ful stamp, in such a scene,—fragmentary crockery, dis-
carded bottles, and trodden vegetables fill up the inter-
stices of a well-grouped picture ; while the indispensable
family pig, ensconced beneath the table, completes a scene
in which mirth and misery, squalor, waste, and hilarity
run riot. In point of execution, the artist has been ad-
mirably successful, and the truthfulness of his pencilling
is attested in every touch. His colouring also is rich and
germane to his subject ; but his chief merit consists in the
expression and truthfulness of his delineations.
47. " The Day after the Wreck," by C. STAavFIELD,
R.A., is a picture of great beauty, and one which displays
much of the peculiar merit for which the productions of
Mr. Stanfield's easel have long been remarkable. The
subject in the present instance is a Dutch East Indiaman
on shore in the Ooster Schelde, with the towers of
Zierikgee in the distance. As was to have been expected
in a picture by Stanfield, the stately ship is truthfully and
cleverly represented, displaying even in its disabled and
crippled condition beauty of form wedded to power and
gracefulness. The drawing is as bold and masterly as it
is generally accurate. The pilots and others who are
engaged in saving portions of the wreck are fine specimens
of the hardy and intrepid mariner, who braves danger
and death with an unheeding resolution, subservient only
to a sense of duty. The boat and crew, which occupy the
foreground of the picture, are admirably drawn, and they
are painted with freedom and force ; the fine, fresh, yet
weather-beaten countenance of the old man is a study full
of truth ; its expression is indicative of self-possession and
undaunted courage. The careful observation- of nature,
indispensably necessary to form a landscape or a marine
painter of eminence, is admirably displayed in this picture.
The sea, which rolls and chafes in the confined bay repre-
sented, is thick, muddy, and broken, as water rolling over
a bank always is, contrasting in this respect. forcibly with
the heavy rolling billows of the ocean, which are con-
tinuous, transparent, and unbroken ; in the hands of a
less skilful artist such a distinction would in all proba-
bility have been lost, and with it would also.pf course have
gone the truthfulness of the scene and its concomitants.
The sky is likewise treated in a masterly style, the masses
of cloud indicating with great correctness the squally ter-
mination of a tempest. Taken as a whole, this picture is
a beautiful work of art, and an admirable specimen of
Staufield's powers.
123. " Life among the Gypsies at Seville," by JOHN
PHILIP. In this picture there are numerous and telling
indications of well-directed study, and no small amount of
fine artistic feeling. The canvass, a large one, is filled
with groups of cleverly-drawn figures, arranged with a fine
eye to picturesque effect. The story of two travelling
Englishmen, enjoying themselves among the Seville
gypsies, is told with a sufficiency of dramatic expression
to give piquancy to the scene without interfering with its
pictorial harmony and repose. There is a great amount of
powerful and good colour displayed in the various groups ;
while the skilful manipulation of the different textures is
irresistibly expressive. In particular the rich green satin
which occupies the left hand corner of the foreground is
beautifully truthful. The general drawing and painting
of the heads are powerful, as well as accurate, many of
them bearing unmistakeable evidence of being careful
individual studies. Two heads—those of an old man, in
the act of mendicancy, and of an aged female—though by
no means charming as specimens of humanity, are worthy
of high commendation as artistic studies. As a whole, the
work is very creditable to Mr. Philip as an artist, and
from its merit in that respect, must conduce to elevate his
position in public esteem.
73. "Scene from `The Monastery,"' by ArGusrus L.
EGG, A.R.A., though a picture of no very distinguished
mark, is nevertheless one which contains several points of
excellence. The subject is the introduction of Halbert
Glendinning to Sir Percie Shafton, and it necessarily in-
cludes a considerable number of figures, not a few of which
are of very questionable merit, as artistic productions.
The figure, the bearing, and the countenance of Glen-
dinning are really good. The expression is thoughtful,
sedate, and resolute, giving token of one who knows his
place, and is ready to maintain it.
No. 1. "The Parting of Lord and Lady Russell, A.D.,
1683," by C. LUCY. In reference to this picture, which
is a large one, we have been induced to some extent to
emulate the catalogue, by giving the date of the supposed
transaction ; but we cannot, like the document referred
to, afford space for the explanatory quotation from Lord
John Russell's Memoirs. In point of fact the picture is
scarcely worth remark. It is poor—meagre—inexpres-
sive. The principal male is as destitute of feeling or anima-
tion as a lay figure • and, although there is more expres-
sion in the female, still, as a whole, we cannot but grudge
the large space the committee have awarded to its exhi-
bit,ion,— a space which, without much difficulty, might
have been more beneficially occupied.
117. " A Scotch Peasant," and 134, " The Young
Mother," by Jolts G. GILBEILT, R.S.A., are two charming
works of art ; the latter in particular is a rich, juicy, and
delightful piece of painting, which for power, sweetness,
and harmony of colour, need fear no comparison with any
work of modern date, and carries the mind resistlessly
back towards those wonderful creations of the Venetian
school, which are admittedly at once the model and the
triumph of the colourist's art.
98. Portrait of S. Holme, Esq., Mayor of Liverpool,"
by G. PATTEN, A.R.A. As a likeness this is striking, in
so far as the head and expression are concerned, although
we hardly subscribe to its being an embodiment of the
form and bearing of our respected chief magistrate.
Looked on as a work of art, it will hardly bear a favour-
able comparison with some others which are in the same
exhibition.

19. " Portrait of Joseph Robinson, Esq.," by JOHN
ROBERTSON, a highly creditable specimen of portrait art.
The head is natural and well-painted. In colour and
breadth of touch, the picture is pleasing and artistic.
89. " Portrait of George Hargreaves, Esq., and hunter,"
by W. HUGGINS. In this picture the horse is cleverly
drawn and spiritedly painted ; the rider sits well, and his
head and figure indicate individuality as well as truthful-
ness of expression. The general tone of colour is fresh
and pleasing, and, as a whole, the picture is an interest-
ing one.
113. " A Study." 174. " The Tempting Offer." 290.
" The Street Wanderers' Repast." 295. " Sefton Skaters."
By JAMES CAMPBELL. These pictures generally indicate
an artistic fancy combined with zeal in his profession.
In choice of subject we think the artist has hardly been
so felicitous. The Wanderers' Repast" is repulsive in
its nature, and that repulsiveness is not redeemed so fully
as it might have been by his mode of treating it. In
" The Tempting Offer," the head of the old woman shows
considerable artistic' power, and that is still further
attested in the expression of one of the boys. Careful
study and an attention to colour will aid this young artist
greatly on his way to distinction These, his early efforts,
give warrant for supposing that by reasonable diligence,
Mr. Campbell, who is a townsman, will ere long take a
creditable position among the rising artists of Liverpool.

Two ROMAN TESSELATED PAVEMENTS, with fragments
of massive Doric columns, have been discovered beneath
the surface of the soil in the town of Leicester. A num-
ber of Roman coins and medals of Augustus, Commodus,
and Valerian, were also picked up amongst the remains.
FRENCH LANGUAGE.—MORS. L. P. PLUMTOT, at the re-
quest of several large families, has determined to introduce
Single Ladies to any of the fifteen different Classes directed
by him, in Six respectable Educational Establishments for
Young Ladies, on the same terms as the Pupils themselves.
Mons. P. has classes of all gradations, from beginners in the
French Alphabet to the Pupils capable not only of understand-
ing very well the Classic 'Works used by him, (the same as
adopted in the best Educational Establishments in Paris,)
but also capable of speaking and writing correctly the French
Language. Each Lady has the option of remaining in the
different classes one, two, or three hours twice a-week. Gen-
tlemen, of all ages, may be introduced also into several Es-
tablishments for Young Gentlemen, on the same terms as the
Pupils; Prospectuses, with Directions as to each Establish-
ment, Terms, and many Testimonials from Ladies, Clergy-
men, and Gentlemen who have learned the French Langanagee
upon Mons. P.'s new system during the last ten years, m y b
had-at any time. at the Professor's Residence, or by post. y
ri-
vate Lessons,for Ladies or Gentlemen, at the Professors Resi-
dence, at the Pupils' Residence, or bycorre p9n_dene, as usual.
The next Quarter commences on the ard ogf October next. The
Daily
Newspapers are one
Paris Illustration and. French
stantlyin Mons.`P.'s 'abartment, at thef disposal of all his
Pupils. Ifons.T. is at home every h
e from One to Two in
the Afternoon, and after Seven in la Evening.—NO.. 45,
Willa PA SWAM KAIT4TABST•