The National Register. — 1812-03-08 (London, England)

JACKSON.—It was most certainly an awful moment, a moment of the greatest anxiety for the Chief of the Grecian expedition against Troy, when, perplexed and distracted between his affection for his daughter and his patriotic engagements; between the duties of a General who had called the whole strength of Greece to revenge the injury done to his brother, and the feelings of a tender father towards a beloved and innocent child, he 1 bad to decide upon her, and give a verdict of life or death. Calchas called loudly for the blood of the victim ; the winds were in waiting to waft the fleet over the Archipelago, and the decisive words of Aga. memnon were expected with impatience by the whole army under his command. In that painful, distressing situation has Miss Jackson attempted to pourtray the King of Mycena. We have had already sufficient proofs of her daring turn of mind; she holds the attributes of the , chromatic muse with as much manliness as might be expected from any other artist ; and her copy of 4- the Madona" of Sebastian del Piombo, last season, was enough to make us conceive the most flattering hopes of success in any subject she might undertake. The figure of Agamemnon is Icorrect as to delineation,and the expression of his inward feelings working upon his features, evinces a great knowledge of the passions and of their influence upon the human face. His costume is classical, and appro. priately coloured ; his helmet is handsome and drawn from the antique, and the anotomical parts expressed with judgment and taste. Clytemnestra, with her suite, composed of her other daughters, approaches him with fear and hesitation. We know that, awed by the majesty of paternal grief, they measure the eageriAs of their supplications upon the feeling of a father, a husband, and a King, and that a sensible congeniality of sorrow ought to pervade the whole groupe—but, we must ob. serve that there is a certain want of nobleness in the figure of Clytemnestra, whose subsequent deeds are well known, that the character of her face does not speak exactly what we have a right to expect; and that her daughters are not sufficiently animated, and do not express enough that sentiment of sorority! distress which tortures their bosoms. No. 36. Clytemnestra exalting over the body of Agamemnon. lEsclup lus's tragedy of Agamemnon. By S. RIGA U o.—Here the same heroine ap. pears, but in a very different character ; she is no longer an humble aid, pliant for the relief of her daughter ; she has murdered her Lord, holding the bloody axe in her hand, exults upon the body of the fallen Chieftain. Adultery has whispered to her the means of putting to death the hero whom ten years of warlike hardships had spared. This subject is grand, and requires an uncommon share of enthusiasm to te iwell treated.—We can only say that the colouring is very pleasing, the 1 group well conceived, the figures happily contrasted, but that the wife of Agamemnon is represented too young, and wants that character of madeuing oration which the poet has so forcibly hinted. No. 42. Nanny ut the Well, front Nature. By Mrs. TAvecia.—This piece is, perhaps, the best among the several paintings which this wellfemal e artist has exhibited this year. The figure of the girl is pleasing and drawn ; and the stately holly-hock, the roses, and the rest of the flowers are painted with nicety ; but does not this, as well as all her other performances, remind us too much of japan enluminures and neat tea• board execution ? She has talents, but wants boldness. She speaks the truth of nature, but with too much coyness and timidity. Let her dare and she will succeed. No. 66. Iris and her Train. By H.