The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-08-26


Vietc of Turner. you cannot gaze on without
feeling the roll Of heavy seas the rush OF
sprayey winds-wthout hearing the rafting
of cOrdage, the surge of sails, and the wild tu-
multi of the surrounding storm. Paul DE Ia
Roche's superb and most pathetic picture of
Charles The First IA he Guard Room, almost
made me "A loyalist, and an execrator of my
rough-hewn hero. Cromwell The majestic yet
mournful serenity, the martyr-like patience
with which the poor King receives the brutal
insults of the soldiers of the Parliament and
the bitter grief and powerless indignation OF
his two faithful followers, are alike heart-break-
ing. There are many fine pictures in this col
lection, by the Dutch and Flemish masters
but they do not impress me very deeply or
exat me above a wondering admiration at their
richness of coloring and perfection OF detail.
looked at them all curiously, with frequent
EXPLANATIONS of delight, but turned from them
at last unsatisfed, and with a yearning at my
heart which led me back to stand silent and
subdued before my Rafaelle, my St John.
While lingering there, | observed Lord Car
Isle greet, with much cordially, slight, pale,
refined, clerical-looking man, who stood near
us After few moments conversation, his
lordship introduced this gentleman to me as
the Rev Charles Kingsley, author of Alton
Locke did not meet him without emotion
for had been most deeply impressed by the
power and purpose, the terrible earnestness of
his writings-the heartcrushing pathos,. the
fearful vividness of his pictures of misery, of
the mortal desperation of the struggle of the
poor with want and wretchedness, and all the
horrible shapes of sin and despair. You see
few indications of the imprisoned strength of
Mr. Kingsley's genius in his countenance or
conversation He is quiet in the extreme, even
while talking of art like an artist and poet
should think his mental life inwardly intense,
rather than outwardly demonstrative, except
through the pen. He spoke of America with
much interest and with fine appreciation of
the spirit of her institutions.
By the way, meet with very few instances
Of that ignorance of and indifference toward
our country which was told to expect in Eng
land. The only things which cause me to bite
my lip occasionally. with merriment not yexa-
ton, are certain display of geographical
knowledge which puts me To my trumps, and
an overplus of patronizng praise. Yet gen.
tleman did say to me lately in the coolest man
ner possible, Has not civilization advanced
farther in the New England than in the other
States of your UnioniD 1t was quite n new
sensation to find myself classed as " an outside
barbarian " for | was obliged to acknowledge
that | was no New Highlander. | must say
that | am not altogether pleased by the man
ner in which American Slavery is spoken of
here. People either darkly allude to it, as
though fearfully touching ON some family dis
grace, in your presence, or come down upon it,
aud all concerned in it, with merciless execra-
ton, and seem to think it might be done away
with easily speedily, with all its evils and enor-
mites; that it is but an ugly excrescence on the
social life, which may be quietly Topped of at
pleasure, and not what we know it to be
dcep-seated cancer near the vitals of the Union
itseli-dlfhcult and perilous to eradicate, though
more perllous far if left alone. Such as at home
consider me fanatic, would smile to hear me
in England, not defending Slavery or slave
holders-heaven orbid!-but demanding that
simple justice should be done, and patience ex-
erclsed toward US as nation; and reminding
our Judges that like evil and sin is not half
ccntury's remove from their own doors. So
MORALLY conservative is England, so dOggedly
set in the good old ways, that had African Sla-
very been an institution of the kingdom, instead
OF the tributary islands, believe on my life it
would have continued to this day. No, on re-
Election, it is scarce supposable case; for here
it could never have been paying institution,
and so could not have existed at ALL Yet
would not have you think that this subject is
always or often treated in way to give me
pain. There are many who have brought great
powers of thought to bear upon it, as one of
the deepest problems of the age-who give us
their most generous sympathy and magnan-
nous Judgment and comparatively few are
they who err in this matter, through want of
reflection, or from zeal without knowledge
IA, la o.. \ l..
a pleasure excursion ON the Thames, gotten up
by some of the city authorities--Mr. Bennock,
of whom remember to have spoken in pre-
vious letter, presiding. We went up the river
on beautiful barge, moving to fine music, as
tar as Twickenham, where we were for some
hours mOored opposite Pope's Villa. We had
dancing, a sumptuous dinner tOasts, sentiments,
and speeches--altogether charming time
Our courteous chairman, Introductory to SEN
timent honorable to America spoke most adj
mirably of the fraternaI relations which should
exist between the two great nations The re-
marks of Col Lawrence, a son of our Minister,
in reply, were happily worded, in good taste,
and most cordially received.
The shores of the Thames are beautiful not
for any remarkable picturesqueness of natural
scenery but for their admirable cultivation,
and succession Of noble country. seats Rich
mond Hill is the finest point | saw, and that
commands one OF the finest views in England
But every spot in sight had been rendered
classic ground by the genius of Pope, Thorn
son, and indeed of nearly all the elegant Eng
lish writers of the last century and half 1t
stirred up old memories to glance into the
shadowy grotto of Pope. | almost looked TO
see the crooked and gallant poet come forth
handing out the lovely and hooking Lady
Mary would hardly have been startled to
have seen the brilliant trifer, Walpole, walk
ing daintily across the lawn, or Thomson
lounging lazily under tree at Richmond, or
the charming Kitty Give driving past
have been in Chelsea for the week past
for the sake of quiet and repose; for found
was living quite too fast with my friends of the
West End | was afflicted with sleeplessness
to such degree that | grew strangely nervous
and sad-almost feeling myself dsowned by
the Good Father, who "giveth his beloved
sleep | am better now; and, though most
happily situated, with pleasant friends, shall
return to my first home, before going into
ireland. Here it is almost M quiet a. the
country, at night and would be during the
day but for the usual suburban supcrabund-
ance of noisy infancy next door, and an hourly
liability to the ysitations Of pertinacious
"Punch and Judy" men and hopeful hurdy-
gurdy women below the front windows Near
US rs u large warehouse Of secondhand furni-
tnre, where ] yesterday observed a downy-
bearded David and his busbng Dora making
their prudent purchases There one can buy
eyerything--from frying pans to mirrors-irom
kitchen-chairs to family portraits Az, they
will most irreverently knock you down veneer
able gentlemen in perruques and powder, and
stately danes in ruffs and farthingalcs. There
are plenty of these worthy old people to be had
at various depots Of this kind, in London 80,
when you go to housekeeping you have only
to send over a commission, to furnish yourself