The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1849-10-02 00:00:00

THE ROYAL MERSEY YACHT CLUB.

On Thursday last, " the closing trip " of the season
took place in our outward channels; and though the
yachts were few, the " sport," (if we may so term it,) was
highly interesting to the lovers of aquatics who were pre-
sent. On such occasions no prize is run for,—the yachts
available being required merely to follow the commodore's
vessel, as they best can, on a seaward excursion, similar
to the annual show-off of our noble pilot boats. The
morning was rather boisterous, the wind being strong
from the E.S.E., and the sky threatening a regular gale.
Most of the large yachts hailing from the port were absent
in Ireland, Wales, Scotland, or the south of England ;
and the smaller craft were judiciously detained in dock, or
at their moorings, the breeze being rather more than they
could encounter with comfort, or, it might be, safety.
Four thumping yachts, however, got under weigh, by ten
o'clock, namely :—The Vision, 45 tons, Thomas Birchall,
Eq., owner; The Echo, 34 tons; John Mellor. jun.,
Esq., owner; The Seabird, 30 tons, Henry Milling, Esq.,
(the secretary,) owner, and the Enigma, 25 tons, R.
Preston, Esq., owner.
The vessels sailed up and down the river for some time
separately, and showed off to advantage. The weather,
which hed portended rain, brightened up, though there
was no relaxation in the breeze. About twelve o'clock,
the yachts congregated off New Brighton Pier, and, with
some double and some treble-reefed mainsails, started off
in fine style in the wake of the Commodore, who, in the
absence in Ireland of his own fine yacht, "The Queen of
the Ocean," hoisted his flag on board of the " Vision,"
on board of which were Mr. Birchall and a party of
nautical friends. The course pursued was by the north
channels, and the sea was comparatively smooth, (under
the lee of the Lancashire shore, until the little fleet
reached the Bell Buoy, (about 121 miles,) which was ac-
complished in an hour and a half from the Rock. Here
it became necessary, as the vessels were running free on
the starbord tack, either to jibe, in making towards the
North-west Lightship, or to round in stays to the port
tack. The breeze being rather on the increase, the latter
manoeuvre was wisely adopted by all the yachts with the
exception of the Enigma. which ventured to wear round,
and luckily accomplished it, though at some risk to her
boom and mast, and showing an indiscretion in the work-
ing of a fore-and-aft vessel under a heavy press of canvass,
which should not, by rule, be permitted in a race. In
steering for the Lightship, a pretty considerable sea-way
had to be encountered ; but tne noble little craft braved
it out, without additional reef, and dashed through or '
over the crested waves in slashing style. The course was
about two points free, and while the vessels stooped to
the breeze. which came in successive squalls, all on deck
were drenched by the saucy spray. These salutes of
Father Neptune were, however, received with the greatest
good humour; and with "good sticks aloft, good planks
below," the resolve was to " carry on," and prove the re-
spective mettle of the craft. The sight of any one of them
seen from another was fearfully picturesque, yet the spec-
tator was scarcely conscious that his own vessel presented
a similarly daring adventure to the others.
The Light Ship was rounded at, two o'clock, and the
fleet lingered awhile for water, the flood being yet young,
and the Commodore having determined, for variety, to
make homeward by the south, or Horse Channel. The
trip hack was a dead beat, with a strong breeze and a heavy
jabble of a sea. The Enigma did not lie to, but started
back, taking the north channel,—gaining nothing by the
movement, the delay of the others being taken into
account. Many tacks had to be made both before and
after passing Spencer's-gut Buoy, but on nearing New
Brighton the sea became smoother. The fleet generally
reached the Rock Lighthouse about five o'clock, having
sailed (including beating) a distance of between 50 and 60
miles in five hours. All the vessels showed good sailing
qualities, and much tact was displayed in working them at
many points of the course. The Seabird, a new vessel,
not yet perfected in her sails and tackle, was as lively as a
duck, ard showed that there was much more to be gotout
of her yet.
Aster reaching the Rock, the vessels dispersed to their
several stations in dock, or in the river. The Commodore
anchored off the Prince's Dock Basin, and his party were
visited by several of the yachtmen who had been engaged
in the day's proceedings. Amongst the visiters was Com-
modore Lloyd, of the Royal Dee Yacht Club ; and the
evening.was spent in true nautical style, song, toast, sen-
timent, and speech, being all in accordance.

EXHIBITION OF THE LIVERPOOL ACADEMY.

SECOND NOTICE,

No. 6. An Ancient City Celebrating a Festival. H.
.Dawson.—This large picture has raised the artist very
greatly in the ranks of the profession. The colouring is
very rich—almost gorgeous ;—and there is a vastness in
the subject, and in the treatment throughout, which irre-
sistibly carries us away to some noble eastern city, with
its magnificent structures, its almost fabulous display of
wealth and pomp, and its countless multitudes, hurrying
in procession to the celebration of religious rites, or social
ceremony. The various effects aimed at by the artist have
been fully brought out. The floating palaces glittering
with gold in the glowing eastern sunlight—the winding
procession filling up the vast piazzas—the flags waving
from every turret and dome—the aggregate of splendour
and busy life do indeed remind us of the fact—

" How frail the mightiest bulwarks raised by man
Against oblivion. Cities once the pride,
The glory, and the strong defence of nations—
* * * * * *
Cities that have resounded far and wide
With triumps and rejoicings ; all are gone,
Save here and the, e a little bean of stones.
Carved o'er with thought. which vaguely indicate
Their past existence —."
We are glad to perceive that a work so creditable to our
native art has met with a purchaser, at a price correspond-
ing with its great merit.
41, Lancaster, H. Dawson, is another picture by the
same artist, but in a perfectly different style. At the first
outset we are disappointed in it. It would seem as if the
painter had in view to attract us only by the very brightly
coloured stone quarry in the foreg-ound. A more close
examination, however, brings out the talent which is dis-
played in the distance, and satisfies us that the bright
foreground is introduced to give contrast to the finely-
painted landscape and the splendid light thrown upon the
water in the bay. The management of these portions of
the picture is beautiful ; and we doubt whether there is
not quite as much real talent in this, as in the artists, more
ambitious production.
65. Evening after Rain—a Luggage Train on the look
out for the Special Train, preparing to shunt, C. Barber,
is very clever. The artist has made an encellent picture
out of what, at first sight, would appear very uninviting
materials.
87. Villagers Meeting at a Well in Italy. C. Burlin-
son.—There is great merit in this picture, which we un-
derstand is by a young artist, recently resident in Durham,
but now in London. The grouping round the well in the
right foreground is very graceful; and the colouring,
which is high in tone, is managed very cleverly, so as not
to destroy the balance of the whole composition. In the
language of the Art Union, which favourably noticed this
Picture in April last, the colouring is " brilliant without
glare." The painting of the avenue and figures in the
left—especially the management of the light—is full of
ability ; and the artist has succeeded in the very difficult
task of giving us an atmosphere, instead of the dead, cold
effect which is so painful in many pictures. The hilly
scenery in the background reposes finely against the deep
blue of the 'ltalian sky. The countenances of the peasants
have a peculiar loveliness of expression, and are depicted
with unusual life and spirit. Mr. Burlinson has also the
following very nice painting in the exhibition :-
173. Italian Goatherd.—lt is finely painted, the face
especially ; and the figure has evidently been one of those
introduced into his other picture. A little more freedom
and softness of outline, it is true, might have been desira-
ble. The fault, however, is one common to most young
artists; and Mr. Burlinson is one of no small promise.
An admirer of first-rate paintings would secure a valuable
addition by the purchase of either of these productions.
137. Welsh Scenery. F. R. Lee, R. A.. the sheep. &c.,
by T. S. Cooper R.A.—ln this painting Mr. Lee has,
we suspect, confined himself to the task of giving what
may be called a setting to the beautifully painted amimals
of his colleague, Mr. Cooper. The landscape is rather bard
in parts; and we could almost imagine it to have been filled
in after the animal subjects bad been painted. The tow
on the piece of rock is quite a study, although it strikes us
as wonderful how she got there; the sheep are inimitable.
154. The Penance of Jane Shore. R. S. Lauder.
There is some fine painting in this picture. The principal
figure especially is very graceful, and beautifully draped.
The groups, children, &c., in the left of the foreground,
are clever. The subject, however, is not one which we
should choose, or one worthy of having bestowed upon it
so much artistic pains as has been done by Mr. Lauder.
And here we may remark that many of our painters do
not seem to bestow sufficient attention upon the choice of
subjects, which contain interest, in addition to mere ar-
tistic handling. Take, for example, the prize picture
itself. What deep sympathies of our nature are excited
by it? Who will care to look at it for five minutes with
any other view except to observe, and perhaps to admire,
its mere mechanical excellence ? A suggestive lendscape
—a tree—a flower—any object which can stir the imagi-
nation, or memory, will be prized, when the display of
mere artistic talent will scarcely attract a moment's
notice.
157. The Wolf-slayer. R. Ansdell.—ln his animal
painting Mr. Ansdell deservedly ranks second only to
Edwin Landseer ; and may some day compete with him

for the palm of excellence: 'the dogs and wolves In this
large painting are splendid animals, painted with great
force and minuteness of fi'nlgtt. The Wolf-slayer is also a
fine specimen of the robust Win': form. A piece of land-
scape in the distance is very cleverly clone.
181. Night in the Meadows. H. Shirley—is a very
clever little picture.
297. Killarney, with thefavourite Legend of 0' Donohoe
H. M. Anthony.—A painting in compartments, the centre
comprising the landscape, and the sides portion of the
legend—is very clever, and deservedly attracts the
notice of connoiseurs. Its position, however, does not
afford it so favourable a light as could have been wished.
304. Portrait of a Cat. W. Huggins—is an excellent
specimen of the artist. Pussy herself is rather a wild-
looking household companion. We prefer the more play-
ful animal, in his painting 204, Beware of the Dog, which
is exquisitely painted. The artist has also some very
nicely painted fowls. 127. The Cock of the Walk.
25. The Bye-road Cross, in a mountain pass near Sa-
biaco, Roman States. W. Havell—has the peculiar co-
louring of that artist. It contains some clever portions,
and the scene itself is just the kind of one for the deed of
violence, which the erection of a cross in those states indi-
cates. Mr. Havel' has altogether eight paintings in the
exhibition.

162. Hydraulics.—J. A. Fuller—is a pleasing little
sketch. The sooty-faced lad shewing the principle of
hydraulics by stamping in the dirty pool, and throwing up
a shower of water upon his companion, is full of humour.
190. Brig on shot eat St. Leonard's, Hastings. IV.
C. Smith—is a very nice picture. The same artist has
another very clever marine picture in water colours, 458,
Breaking the line at Trafalgar; and a landscape, also in
water colours, 518, Greenwich Hospital, from One Tree
Hill. The whole of his productions, in several different
styles, display great versatility of talent.
204. Old Mill, nearHoylake, Cheshire. J. W. Oakes.
This is a very pretty little landscape, and one of the best
productions with which Mr. Oakes has favoured us. The
old mill and its adjuncts are very cleverly painted.
285. Heath Scene, Boddinbton, is a pleasing specimen
of this very industrious and clever landscape painter.
232. The Troubadour, J. J. Barker, is rather a con-
fused picture.
329. The Water Nymphs' Hymn to the Rising Sun, J.
G. Naish, is a little too highly-coloured a painting for our
taste. We cannot imagine water nymphs with the glow-
ing cheeks and bright crimson garments and drapery here
exhibited. The poets describe such beings, who have
" suffered a sea change" as rather more ethereal in form
and dolphin-like in hue.

330. Christ Walking on the Sea. R. S. Lander.—We
return to this beautiful picture. in order to point out what
we conceive to be one of its chief excellencies—the pro-
duction by the artist of the effect of a visible atmosphere.
You see, for example, the waves and the clouds through
the ray of light thrown down from above upon the figure
of the Saviour. Many of our readers will have noticed
the same effect in nature ; for instance, when a ray of
light is allowed to stream through a partially-opened
shutter, or, more strikingly, through a crevice, you see
the interior of the room dimly beyond, or through, the
lighted portion of the intervening atmosphere.

SUNDAY DUTIES AT THE POST-OFFICE.

General Post-office, September, 1849.

. _
With a view to affording postmasters and their
assistants proper rest on the Sunday, the Postmaster-
General has been pleased to direct—
I. That on and after the 14th of October next, all pro-
vincial offices in England and Wales shall be closed on
the Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., except for the neces-
sary receipt and despatch of mails; the box merely being
left open for the receipt of stamped and unpaid letters.
2. That the deliveries at such places on the Sunday
shall he restricted in all cases to one.

3. Further, that to facilitate the above arrangements,
and at the same time to promote the public convenience,
letters posted at provincial offices on the blank post day
for towns beyond London, shall, if stamped and paying
full letter rates, be forwarded, as on other days, so as to
be delivered, except in remote places, on the Monday
morning. No change, however. will be made as regards
letters addressed to or posted in London.
Considerable difference of opinion exists as to the effect
of these orders on the amount of business required to be
performed within the Post-office on Sundays. It has
been alleged that these duties will be considerably in-
creased, but this has been strenuously denied by the
friends of Mr. Rowland Hill. It seems, however, certain
that the above document is intended to convey more
stringent regulations than at first meet the eye, and the
Morning Herald pronounces it to be a mixture of hy-
pocrisy, false pretence. and sheer nonsense. It becomes
the friends of the Sabbath to be on the watch, for after
the best inquiry we can make, we find that the change
about to take place is this :—At present scarcely any mail
bags arrive at the London Post-office on Sanday morn-
ing. On October the 14th, the whole of the bags, 650 in
number, are to be brought. At present about six per-
sons attend, for a short time, to receive a few foreign
bags, and to forward to the officers of the Government
their letters. This has been held to be a work of public
necessity, and five or six persons, without much inter-
fering with the rest of the Sabbath, have performed it.
But on October 14th, 650 bags, will have to be opened,
examined, sorted, sub-sorted, stamped, &c. There will
be at least 50,000 letters to be forwarded. The bags will
arrive at five a.m., and the morning mails will be dis-
patched at 9.30 a.m. Inside the Post-office, at least
100 persons will be employed. Outside, in conveying all
these bags, a further large number. In the afternoon,
there will be other arrivals. and another general dispatch
of mails. When a Southampton Indian mail arrives,
that alone brings 34,000 letters.