The Commonwealth. — 1866-07-28 (London, England)

THE.Athenceum, says that one of the most extraordinary of the many mistakes that present themselves  at the National Portrait Exhibition is that which  describes No. 906 as portraits of the Cabal Ministry. It is, in fact, neither more nor less than a composition of portraits of musicians—doubtless those attached to the royal court—in their customary uniform dress. WE understand (says a contemporary) that the Lords of the Committee of Council on Education have decided that the Exhibition of National Portraits at South Kensington will be closed on Saturday, the 18th of August, and that from Monday, the 6th of August, to the close the price of admission will be reduced to 3d. each person; and children of schools for the poor, accompanied by their teachers, will be admitted on payment of is. for every 30 students and one teacher. THE southern transept of the parish church of Montgomery, usually known as the "Lymore Chancel," or "Lymore Chapel," is now being restored at the cost of the Earl of Powis, to whom it belongs. This curious old building contains several monuments of interest, both historical and archmological. The largest is that of Sir Richard Herbert and his wife, the parents of the first Lord Herbert, of Cherbnry, and of George Herbert, the poet. AN extract from the London Gazette, of the 2fith ult., has been published, giving an account of the regulations respecting the nature of the rewards and the composition of the juries appointed to the Paris Universal Exhibition, 1867. By this it appears that £32,000 will be given in prizes, awarded by international juries; of this sum £l,OOO is appropriated to the arts section in seventeen grand prizes of £BO each, thirty•two first prizes of £32 each, forty-four second prizes of £2O each, and fort)-six third prizes of £l6 each. The distribution of the above will take place on the Ist of July next. Jurymen may compete for these awards.  DURING the restoration of Barnstaple Church some singular discoveries have been made. Over the north arch of the tower, behind some boarding and under two coats of plaster, was found a mural painting in black outline, of which portions of three figures only could be preseryed, owing to its mouldering state. They represent a queen and king crowned, supporting a hawk on his left hand—an emblem of nobility. When this discovery was first made, portions of other figures were visible, two or three on the left hand, and what has been called a negro on the right. Partly from the dress, and the long pointed shoe on one of the figures, it is supposed to date from the 14th century. The subject undoubtedly represents the Last Judgment, interesting examples of which were of frequent occurrence in English churches during the 14th century. ONE of the latest announcements of interest to collectors of Shakespeareana is a small volume of essays entitled "Shakespeare's Delineations of In. sanity, Imbecility, and Suicide," written by Dr. A. 0. Kellogg, assistant physician of the State Lunatic Asylum, Utica, New York. Part I. treats of the insane —Lear, Hamlet, Ophelia, &c. Part IL of the imbecilee—Bottom, Malvolio, Pistol, Bardolph, Nym, Dog. berry, Latinos, Calihan, Ac. Part M. of suicide— Othello, &c. These essays seek to exhibit a phase of the intellectual character of the great dramatist which has been little considered hitherto. He might have added to the book a treatise on those who have been rendered insane by Shakespeare, and of the insane efforts to distinguish that in him that there is not—to make him out a tailor, a seaman, a lawyer, a physician, &c.