Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1860-06-02
A Rich Treat.

VIC nave much pleasure III Stallng tn0t
our fellow citizen, Mr.. Ii. S. Risley, has
at last determined to exhibit his great
Painting OF the River Thames the lar
gcst and most beautiful panorama in the
known world.
MIR. klsley, many years ago, took from
this country to Europe the largest NOV
ing picture of the Mississippi, represent
Ing the scenery of that river. with all its
characteristics, from the Falls of St. An
thony to the Gulf of Mexico. This
panorama met with unprecedented sue
cess all over Europe. Every sovereign
and potentatc in the different counties
had private exhibitions. The late Baron
Alexander Won Humboldt aided him
with his advice and letters to diffe- ent
courts, facilitating him in every possible
manner, and cordially approving his
exhibition above all others.
Professor Ritter, the great geograph.
list, also examined it, and finding it geo.
graphically correct, gave his influence
toward promoting its success, and in con-
sequence over 1900 children visited it
in the city OF Berlin alone.
MIR. Risley has now in his possession
autograph letters and testimonials from
all the crowned heads and distinguished
men on the continent of Europe, that
were given him without solicitation on
his part. The Emperor Nicholas Of
Russia granted him permission TO bring it
into that country, and there he also met
with eminent success, and remained .
long time.
In the meantime he had conceived the
idea Of having painted a panorama Of
the River Thames, from it's source in
Worcestershire to and through the city
Of London. For this purpose he pro-
cured the assistance of one of the most
celebrated artists of the day, Mr.. Brun-
ming, Il. A. A., and procuring boat,
commenced sketching the river from
Circncester down. After period of
four weeks. during which time they had
lived in their little boat, and sketched as
far down as Richmond, the artist, Mr..
Drumming, took sick from exposure and
died. Even this drawback did not de-
ter our American. He applied to Mr..
Turner, the rich and celebrated water
color artist, and he recommended to him
Mr.. Phillip Phillips, Royal Academy
Artist, as one oftI.e very best panoramic
painters of the age.
A contract was soon made between
tue two gentlemen, and again the trip
on the Thames was made, as Mr.. Phil
lips was not willing to paint from anoth-
er's sketching. 1t was necessary to see
the different coloring for himself. Again
were the sketches taken, and every one
colored on the spot; so that the very
appearances were caught,
and as it were, transferred to canvass.
Thus was he enabled to produce, after
three years incessant labor, one Of the
most beautiful and exquisite panoramas
ever exhibited to the pubic.
He was assisted by Mr.. Haghe, as 6g-
urc painter. and Mr. KnelI, as marine
painter, both acadamy artists, and both
eminent in their profession.
For long time this artistic product.
ion has lain idle. Mr.. Risley was not
willing to bring it in opposition to the
miserable scenic tableaux that for some
time past have flooded the country. but
being about to send it away, he thouoht
before it went, he would give his fel.
w-citizeus an opportunity of witness
ing it for few days. We are, therefore
glad to announce to our readers that he
has engaged Metropolitan Hall, 10 Day.
export, and will open on the 18th day
OF June. We are glad to encourage an
exhibition Of this kind, as it is not only q
source OF rich mental improvement, but
cultivating in an eminent degree = love
for the arts in the adult as we'll 40 in tho
youthful mind and as q source of in
struetion it is beyond all comparison, su-
perlor, as Baron Humboldt said, to that
OF any other known method.
Let our citizens and friends in the
country show that they appreciate the
beautiful and instructive. All, we are
sure, will be we'll repaid. Let the enter.
PRISE OF our countryman be rewarded.
1or while patronizing him, We benefit
ourselves. You will never have so good
chance TO visit England a. you win
nave oy paying visit to RIsLRY's R1vsp
THAAEs.- Great West,