New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-05-27

hezzotint was first adapted TO his grand decora-
i've styls of portraiture and there were scores
u expert engravers who had learned how to
reproduce his pictures with soft harmonious
blends of light and shade. Nearly all are fine
impressions. and not few are in the first state
ana since the mezzotint artists dispensed with
hne altogether and passed by subtle gradations
from dark 10 light the sensitive condition OF the
plate has determined the quality of the engrav-
ing These prints have been carefully screened
from exposure to light and safely preserved in
the windsor portfolios. and they are fresh and
beautiful examples Of what has become almost
d Iost art-mezzotint as IL known at its best
IN the eighteenth century, when engravers had
almost as great q reputation as the painters
whose works they copied
These white. ghostly faces on the walls have
their romances, their tragedies and their ironical
comedies for the passing spectator whose moods
change with every step Prim Mary Horneck
seems shy and superficial, yet she was the yes
sarny BRIDE who had Oliver Godsmith's coffin
reopened so that she could cut a lock from his
head and keep it TO her last day. The second
Marquis of Huntly. finely reproduced from a
Van Dyck. reveals the constancy and devotion
with which he followed the fortunes Of Charles
until he persisted the scaffold at Edinburgh;
and Sir Thomas Picton's soldierly face suggests
the daunuess courage with which he met death
while leading a brigade in a splendid charge at
Waterloo. Prime Minister'S wife. Lady Wal
pole. her beauty portrayed with reticence and
reserve. has the air of knowing all the secrets
OF a corrupt period in politics; Mrs Montagu
queen among bluestockings is silent now, al
though cynical and bored face is reminiscent
OF the stale literary gossip she has heard In
time of intense jealousies among poets and play
wrtghts; and here and there Court favorite
a fascinating actress who has ruled prince
or statesman with her smiles and forced the
gay rollicking world 10 feel her power. Some
times the tragedy has to be read into the
conscious faces. as in Sir Joshua's group of
Bedfords. Of whom crouching in a corner
was destined 10 be murdered by a valet: or in
the brilliant Lady Bamfylde. who separated
from her husband until al assassination plot
brought her back to his side. Again the action
is borrowed from the theatre when Garr1ck
Burton and Palmer are portrayed by Zonany
in Abel Drugger'; Mrs. Sddons and her
son are staged in isabella" by Hamilton; or
Henderson is made up by Romney as Macbeth
in dread OF witches ana daggers. Ancestors Of
all the great families may be identified here from
engraved portraits of Cavendishes. Bedfords Sey-
mours. Russells Stewards, Marlborough Lans-
downes and Buccleuchs; but more inter
esting the passing glimpses of bygone scenes, 4
like the old House Of Commons as Hogarth
sketched il IN Sir Robert Walpoles time, or the
unexpected reappearances Of ghosts Of the
library and studio; the author OF Hudibras
Sir Peter LEY saw him; Colley Cibber In a
Van Loo. pompous alike actor, playwright
and poet laureate; Miss Theophila Palmer, a
model for Sir Joshua in a dozen figure pieces;
the three Irish graces sacrificing TO Hymen; and
in a group Of affectionate brothers the first Wis
count Melbourne's second son, whose romantic
b,,t unfortunate marriage has become a twice
told tale in Mrs. Humphry Wards realistic fc-
ton.
T. &c indeed a royal levee to be remembered;
o,,5 brilliant souvenirs can be secured, for all
80 prints bearing the Court seal are TO be
"a aDd a thousand more from the portfolios
- =. unframed Duplicate portraits is the
.4zoiol description: but presumably it would be
-, ,or-rac- 70 describe many Of them as unique
,,-.ssiore of famous mezzotints. which can
r.,-.r he duplicated. These prints have been
,5 IKE the Whistler etchings in order that
~, oval library at Windsor may be replenished
i,t hooks and enriched in other ways The
,r,,oa ministers the duchesses, the Court IA
,,or,+es and the actresses will appear for few
,reets In this wonderful high court and then
the, Will make their final bow in Old Bond
s,-ea+ and wander over the face Of the earth.
ending refuge wherever beautiful eighteenth
century, nlezzotints are known and valued
I n. F.