The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-08-15

WKIR's PicrURE Weir has Just finished his pic
ture at West Point, which is intended TO fill one of
the still vacant inches in the Rotunda Of the Capitol
at Washington. The historical passage taken for
illustration by this picture, is the following:-
"And the time being come that they must depart,
they were accompanied with most Of their brethren
out OF the city unto town called Delft-Haven,
where the ship lay ready to receive them. The
next day, the wiud being fair, they went on board,
aud their friends with them, where truly doleiu was
the sight Of that sad and mournful parting ito hear
them, what tears did gush from every eye and pithy
speeches pierced each others heart that sundry Of
the Dutch strangers that stood on the key specta-
tors could not refrain from tears; yet comfortable
and sweet it was to see such lively and true express
slons OF dear and unfeigned love. But the tide,
which stays for no man, calling them away that
were thus 10th to depart, their reverend pastor fall
ing down on his knees, and they al! with him, with
watery cheeks commended them with most fervent
prayers unto the Lord and This blessing and then,
with mutual embraces and many tears, they took
their leave one OF another, which proved to be the
last leave to many Of them: Thus hosting sail,
with prosperous gale of wind, they came in
short time to Soulh ,mpton, where they found the
bigger ship come from London"
IL would be a curions subject of thought to a man
unfamiliar with the wardrobe Of the imagination,
says well known writer. if he would keep this
plain and simple passage OF history in his mind while
he looks at the gorgeous investture in which 1t is
clad by the genius Of the painter-to compare the
ure made OF it on this canvass. Twill not attempt
here-indeed could not attempt without seeing it
again-anything like a criticism on this painting
but may say what feel while it deepens in my
memory, that have seen no such glorious work of
art in this country, and have not been more filled
and wrought upon by any Of the great chts d'Guvre
oil the old masters in Europe. The effect on the
mind = that o. expanding Ing the capacity TO embrace
than life, and the immense canvass is filled with
groups OF the most exquisite nauralness OF posture
and relation to each other, but at the same time
finished with breadth and strength of effect that
looks done with hand accustomed to minister
only to power without limit. The coloring in
the two wings of the picture is exceedingly gor-
geous, but the centre, around the kneeling pas
tor is admirably subdued in middle tints, appro-
pirate to the objects they envelope, and the pas
tor himself, IN face, attitude, and costume, Is the
most mastery embodiment OF halowed piety and
devotion which it is possible tor poet to con-
ceive. The presence on board the vessel OF Mr..
and Mrs. Wnslow (the new married people of for
tune who, while travelling for pleasure, fell in with
and Joined the emigrants for conscience sake) gives
the ARTIST the Necessary liberty to enrich the cos
female figures very splenddly drawn and colored-
among them the wife OF Miles Standsh, whose SOL
dierly form in the foreground is one Of [the mort
this grand picture, there is not one about which q
great deal might not be written, even with my tran
silently impressed memory of it, but reserve il for
more detailed description after another visit =
Weir has flung his soul upon this work with the
complete abandonment of inspiration. and he has
wrought out OF ii, Tor his country well as himself,
honor imperishabe. That it will impoverish the
pictures already there, study. in ardor OF concep
ton, in elaborate finish, in variety and spendor, is
very certain. But those who are still TO produce
their pictures for the remaining panels will be stmu-
lated to emulate 1t, and Chapman, who is young
bly, replace his comparatively feeble picture by some
thing more in keeping with the grandeur Of his com,
mission.