The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-12-08 00:00:00

THE THREE CARACCI

If there is one taste, that we should be glad to see cherished
f'our fne'Ve":;;:rs."—ftV a love that should be
fostered and supported, on all occasions, for art softens man-
ners, and inclines the heart to turn to the beautiful and
good ; it points out the exquisite harmonies in nature, and
prompts the inquiring mind to search, examine, and investi-
gate. if ever there was a man that deserved well the thanks
of a large community, it is Mr. Buchanan, the proprietor of
the pictures which have been brought amongst us, painted by
the three artists whose names commence this notice. Mr.
Buchanan, at great risk, cost of money, and doubtless
anxiety of mind, has given us an opportunity of judging as
to the merits of these paintings, and enabling us to set up a
standard of perfection. His pictures show us what true and
natural colouring is ; they will be the means of correcting the
taste of some, while they may sow in the minds of others a
spirit which will lead to the due appreciation of the works of
other masters. The paintings by the Caracci are from sub-
jects taken from the evangelists. The first, by Agostino, re-
presents Christ raising the Widow's Son; the second, Christ
curing the Blind, by Ludovico ; and the third, by Annibal,
Christ's Interview with the Woman of Canaan. The first
contains the most incident and power, the second the most
skill, the third the most brilliancy and grace. In the first
there are some most surprising effects ; for instance, the
figure of the half-clad man, to the right of the picture : ob-
serve the vigour and muscular power exhibited in the back
and limbs, while the bringing out of the left arm and hand is
most surprisingly beautiful. In this figure the lights and
shades are so finely managed, and the distances so exquisitely
kept, that it is with doubt we look upon the canvas and be-
lieve it to be but a " shadowing forth of imagining." How
graceful and tasteful is the white drapery ! how cleverly is it
placed, contrasting with the depth of the scarlet over which
it falls ! The countenances in this picture arc admirable.
Observe the surprise and curiosity of the bearer, who is
looking over the head of the bier, on observing the dead
arise ;—mark the anxiety of the mother, and the earnest at-
tention of the other faces in the group, while, above all and
before all, stands the form of our Saviour, full of grace,
dignity, and sweetness. The hands, in all the figures, are
finely painted ; the limbs are symmetrical and muscular,
while the firmness of the flesh is remarkable, and the colour
most natural. The drapery of the Saviour's figure is very
tastefully thrown ; the silk lining is just visible. A variety
of colours are distributed through the painting, but so well
do they harmonise that none too strongly preponderate. The
figure of the resuscitated boy is a wonderful effort of the
painter's skill—it is appallingly true to nature. Taken alto-
gether, this picture, as we have previously observed, is the
most full of incident, and certainly the most intellectnal.
The second painting represents the Saviour curing the
Blind. The figure of Christ is graceful, commanding, and
dignified; he is clothed as in the last picture, his under vest-
tnent being red, and his cloak of greenish blue. The face
strongly resembles the other, and it is a question whether the
same hand did not paint the three faces. In the drapery of
this painting the red is the most striking colour. The figure
of the blind man is a fine study. The introduction of the
violin is a strange and quaint anachronism ; it shows, how-
ever, the occupation of the mendicant. On the head of the
bystander a red cap is placed—a most judicious and happy
thought : the colour is very fine, and brings out the head
upon which it is placed. The heads of the apostles are fine
studies; the contrast between manhood and old age is ably
exhibited. This picture attracts great attention, and many
give it a preference to the other two. Our favourite, how-
ever, is the third or middle picture, painted by Annibal
Caracci. The story of the woman of Canaan, whose
daughter was " vexed with a devil," which she besought our
Lord to expel, is well told :—" It is not meet to take the
children's bread and cast it to the dogs"—" Truth, Lord,
yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from the master's
table." The supplicatory expression of the Canaanitish
woman is excellently developed. In this painting the back-
ground is admirable—the sky is the most natural we ever
beheld. The Saviour's dress is a scarlet vestment and blue
mantle : the folds of the latter are delightfully thrown. The
colours are brilliant in the extreme; the blue is especially
bright. The attitude of the Saviour is, if anything, more
graceful and godlike than in the other paintings : it is deci-
dedly in a finer and more striking position—the hand comes
out well from the canvas, the flesh is natural and delicate.
The head is noble and replete with expression. The
drapery of the female figure is beautiful; the colours are
of a delicious tone. The dog is a singular portion of the
painting: itis full of life.

Such—are these pictures, which are valued at £lO,OOO,
emanating from the last painters of genius that Italy can
boast of. Although Mr. Ilaydon has thought proper to de-
signate them as second-rate artists, these pictures, we
should think, bear the stamp of first-rate productions. Of
the three brothers, Ludovico exhibited the most taste : he
received instruction from Tintoretto. The brothers (who
were the sons of a tailor) founded a school, in which Dome-
nichino, Guido, Lanfranco, Albano, and Guiccino were in-
structed. With the Caracci and their pupils terminated the
genius of painting in Italy.

A Cabinet Couneil is summoned to assemble at the Foreign-
office on Monday afternoon. It is understood that the
ministers are to meet for the purpose of deciding upon the
day to which parliament shall be further prorogued. It is
also understood that, on Tuesday, a privy council will he held
at Buckingham Palace, at which her most gracious Majesty
will preside.—Queen's Own.

\Cc learn fain the Augsburg Gazette, that on the 19th ult.
Prince Borghese lost his third and last son. The correspon-
dent of the above journal at Rome adds, that the sympathy
of the inhabitants of that capital was never more strongly
excited than it has been by the sorrows of this equally esti-
mable and illustrious family.—Galiyiumi.

We have to announce the death of Sir Charles Throck-
morton, Bart., which took place on Thursday, at his seat
Coughton Court, Warwickshire. Sir Thomas was in his
84th year, and h.ul been•married to a daughter of the late
Edmund Plowdon, Esq., but having no issue by her, he is
succeeded in his title and estates by his nephew, now Sir
Robert George Throckmorton, Bart.
Lord and Lady Francis Egerton and family leave Worsley
Hall, their seat in Lancashire, early in the ensuing week, for
Bridgewater House, with the intention of staying a few days
in town before going to Oatland for the Christmas. His
lordship has taken the mansion in Belgrave-gquare for a term
of years. Early in the next mouth the west point (the only
part now standing) of Bridgewater House will be pulled
down, and arrangements immediately be made for the com-
mencement of tne erection of a new mansion, under the
superintendence of Mr. Barry, the architect of the new Houses
of Parliament.

e, therefore, for our present queen may crave
This honour due to her, and her alone,

Of five queens-regnant in Old England's chair,
Victoria only brought the crown an heir.

ST. JEAN D'ACRE

Our last apparent heir (in after days
King George the Fourth) was born amid the pride
Of Anson's conquests o'er the ocean wide,
When wagon-loads of gold, 'mid loud huzzas,
Were marched triumphant through the London ways
Like fame, great babe ! was destined to betide
Thy entry in the world. By Jordan's side,
I.nd ancient Tyre and Sidon, does the blaze
victory attend the star
Following nigh
Thy natal day, came speeding news to tell
That Acre, famed in Coeur de Lion's war—
Acre, that made Napoleon baffled fly—
Acre, beneath thy mother's banners fell!
Hercules Pillar, Great Queen-street,

Of headlong
Of Napier

le amphibious

Saturday,

LITERARY

NOTICES

M. O'D

Blackwood's Magazine. December, 1840,
This number is particularly rich in its tales. '

"Ray-

mond" is the title of a very spirited fiction, the moral
of which is, to quote the words of Sir Walter Scott,
that " literature is a good staff, but a sorry crutch."
" A Night Excursion with Martin Zurbano" is replete
with adventure. " Reminiscences of the Year 1813
in Germany" are full of military anecdotes, all of which
extremely well related. We have seldom met with
"-le which we have perused with greater interest.
at Hampton Court" abounds in just
author is evidently a man of refined

A. few Hour
ticism. Th

;te. He handles his subject with great ability.
the Monarch of Bath" affords considerable insight
_ _ _ _ _

habits of fashionable life.
and amusing anecdotes

It is full of lively
" The Beauty
Draught" is a romantic narration. The remarks "On
Population" display a penetrating mind, capable of
deep and philosophical thinking. There is a rich vein
of poetry running through the whole of the " Post
Mortem Musings." The paper on the " Non-Intru-
sion Question" is extremely temperate in its views, and
must carry conviction to every dispassionate mind.

Fraser's Magazine. December, 1840.
This number opens with a very spirited review of
Grantley Berkeley's Last Novel. The critic shows
ry little mercy to this aristocratic author. " The

Three Great Epochs ; or 1830, 1840, and 1850," is a
review of the past political history, and a glance at the
future prospects, of this country, in the attractive form
tale. In " Scotch Lairds Forty Years Ago," we
some very quaint narratives and laughable anec-
. In the article entitled " The Cafe de la Re-
ce" we recognise the practised pen of Mr. George
r, one of the first chess-players in the world.
hes of Deschapelles and De la Bourdonnais
The House of Uncommons"
y ordinary production, not, however, without

nterestu

good hits at the leading quacks of the day. The
Sketches of National Literature" anti the essay on
Pascal and his Friends" are admirable articles.
-ones in the Desert" are as full of adventure as
The Past Year, and Present Prospects" is one
slashing political articles, which should be
react by every one who has the real welfare of his
country at heart.

Dublin University Magazine. December, 1840.
The important subject of " Banking and Currency"
occupies the first place in the present number. The
author of the series of papers on this topic is evidently
----lete master of the subject, upon the most diffi-
.ts of which he has thrown considerable light.
ate of Actaeon" is a spirited composition. The
s from Gibraltar" furnish us with some highly
ng particulars respecting the southern parts of
the Peninsula. The review of " Mrs. Norton's Poems"
lb 1V A

V Us I
ind censure with strict justice. We have been highly
delighted with the graphic sketch entitled " Dramatic
Doings." The author is no stranger to the secrets of
the " Green Room." In the " Rough Notes of a Rough
Ride from the East" we have found a rich fund of
amusement. The "Portrait Gallery" is adorned with
a sketch of Admiral Rowley—a hero of the old school.
The sensible remarks on the " Scottish Church Ques-
tion" deserve a careful perusal. The continuation of
the "Rival Tanists," as well as that of the inimitable
Lorrequer's " Charles O'Malley," cannot fail to gratify
the readers of the Dublin University.

Tait's Edinburgh Magazine. December, 1840.
There are several articles of considerable merit in
the present number. The remarks on the " Condition
of the Labouring Poor, and the Management of Pau-
pers in Scotland" are generally sound and unobjec-
tionable, but we apprehend that many of the statis-
tical details will he found exaggerations. The review
of the "Life and Times of Montrose," while it does
justice to the intrinsic merits of Mr. Napier's work,
displays much bigotry and intolerance. The " Sketches
of Life and Manners, from the Autobiography of an
English Opium-Eater," is decidedly the best article in
We do not, however, think that the au-

the numbei

thor has succeeded in demonstrating the identity of
Junius and Sir Philip Francis. The literary anecdotes
scattered through this narrative are highly interesting.
"The Feats and Fortunes of Richard the Reiver" re-
mind us strongly of one or two of the best of Wil-
son's Tales of the Borders. "No House ; or, St.
Stephen's and the Kirk," is an amusing political
sketch, displaying all the radical peculiarities of Tait.
The miscellaneous articles are both numerous and ex-
cellent.

The New Statistical Account of Scotland. No. 28.
Edinburgh : W. Blackwood and Sons.
This admirable work is proceeding towards com-
pletion most satisfactorily. We trust that its publica-
tion has proved beneficial to the " Sons and Daughters
of the Clergy," on whose behalf it has been benevo-
lently undertaken. The number before us c6ntains a
beautifully executed map of Caithness-shire, and a full
descriptive account of the history, antiquities, topo-
graphy, parochial economy, statistics, &c., of part of
the county of Aberdeen, and part of the county of
gh. The parishes described are Auchterfess,
Drumblade, Fyvie, Peterhead, Pitsligo, Audi-
nd Kearn, Towle, Rayne, Glenbucket, Tally-
and Forbes, Monymusk, Meldrum, Corstor-

linbur

phine, Inveresk, and `Vest Calder. Every Scotsman,
who can afford the outlay, ought to become possessed
of this inestimable account of his native land.

Master Humphrey's Clock. Part 8. London : Chap-
man and Hall ; Liverpool: Wareing Webb.
This agreeable work is attracting a larger share of
attention, week by week, as it proceeds. The illustra-
tions alone are sufficient to command a very large cir-
culation. They include some of the most beautiful
specimens of engraving on wood that we have ever
met with. " The Old Curiosity Shop" furnishes the
staple for the narrative in the present number. The
scenes in which Quilp figures are highly characteristic
and amusing. We long to meet with our old friends
the Pickwickians again on the stage. We have no
doubt that Bo: has much more fun in store for us in
connection with Master Humphrey's Clock. Long
may he live to contribute to the enjoyment of his
countrymen !

The Monthly Magazine. December, 1840. London :
Sherwood and Co.
It is a long time since we have been favoured with a
copy of this magazine. We are glad to find that it is
now under the editorial superintendence of Mr. lieraud,
whose literary reputation is a sufficient guarantee for
the character of any periodical. The number before
is contains many articles of an interesting and attrac-
ive character. The short notice of " Our Comic Wri-
rs" is excellent. The " Versions from German Poets"
)n.m ta some beautiful specimens. "Misfortune" is
•idently from the pen of a young writer of talent.
Knave and the Deuce" is truly a " horrible
we shall he glad to meet Sir Ephialtes Moon-
." Mia, the Cat-fiend," is from the French
Tulle. The remarks on " the Veto, or Intru-
)mmotion, in the Church of Scotland," are cha-
't moderation. Among the remaining
ly the most conspicuous are-
-" Psychological Medi-
-and the " Census of Foreign

lit again
F F. Ceci

acterised by gr
rticles in the

Month

Wild Water-man".

Literati

The Irish Penny Journal. Parts 3 and 4. Dublin :
Gunn and Cameron; Liverpool: C. Davies.
We rejoice to find that this spirited undertaking is
proceeding most prosperously. The/ publishers have
entitled themselves to the thanks of the Irish people
for their praiseworthy exertions in the cause df their
national literature. In the numbers before us we find
a variety of clever and amusing articles, which would
not. disgrace the pages of the most celebrated of our
larger monthly periodicals. Among the principal con-
tributors we recognize the names of George Petrie,
R.H.A. Professor Kane, Mrs. S. C. Hall, Martin
Doyle, 'Mr. Carleton, &c. With such names to recom-
mend it, we need say but little in praise of this excel-

periodical

The_ we ,od•engravinv preae3t4 in

each 'number are chiefly illustrative of Irish /scenery or
Irish antiquities, The miscellaneous articles in this
periodical render it peculiarly suitable for family
reading.
The Illustrated Shakspere,_ Parts 18 and Ig. London :