Current:

Leader (1850-1860), 27th November 1858, Edition 1 of 2, Page 1287, Untitled Article

Page 1287
Page 15
15 of 32

On this page

  • Departments (1)
    • Jptttp fflrfff JTIHK AUU. ^—~
  • Text (5)
  • Transcript

    • Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.

      Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.

      Untitled Article

      SOCIETY FOR TUB ENCOURAGEMENT OF THE FINE AKTS . This new Society has at length issued its programme in tho shape of ft loiir-pago circular . TIjg direction includes some good names , loth as regards rank and influence , and connoxiqn with art and letters . The Earl of Carlisle is president , and the Earl of EUesmere , Lord Ward , Lord jb ' eversham , and the Rev . Sir 3 ? . Gore Ouscloy , vice-presidents . Tho council includes Messrs . W . Bcverley , \ V . Burnett , Francis S , Cary , Marshall Claxton , and J . W . Walton , painters : G . G . Adums , sculptor ; Jolin

      Gibson , arohitcot ; O . G . Lewis , engraver ; llogor I ' cnton , photographist ; and Messrs . Charles Maokay , LL . D ., Henry Ottlcy , C . JR . Wild , &c , tor pooiry and the literature ot art . The programme , whioh takes \\ \ \ oxtonsive ground , as feelingly but modestly written . ' It oommoncos by observing upon tho taste for tho fine arts whioh lina sprung up in our ngo , and which pervades all classos «* ' tho community . " This tendency to elevated » ndennobling tliomes , " it is truly stated , "is not tfe&trieted to any one form of development . The » rte of Music and Poetry , as well as thoso , of poaign , are equally cultivated , almost in association ; and their profession , instead of tho neglect ; « wd privation which in former times wore ' their

      common lot , now derive substantial reward , as well as glowing honours , from the suffrages of the public . " This taste , however , left to itself , unimproved by education , would be but an instinct , seeking gratification in trivial and common-place subjects , and an ig-noble mode of treatment , and art , which should minister to it , must abase itself to the same level . And then we are told , -what we fear must be acknowledged as too true , that " yet nothing has been done" to supply the sort of art-education required "to the general community , " and that " even in respect of artists , very little and very sparingly has anything of the kind been attempted . " It is to supply this desideratum that the Society is established ; its primary object is "to create a true sympathy between artists and those to whom they minister ; and to elevate the associations of both in the mutual

      relations so established . " To tins end there will be lectures and discussions upon art , classes for instruction , and two annual exhibitions of pictures , the one ancient the other modern , besides a permanent exhibition of engravings of all schools ; these exhibitions to be open on certain days to the public free of charge . An important feature in the scheme of the Society will be the distribution of

      prizes : — "In order to give additional weight and authenticity to the declared opinions of this Society as a body on matters of living art , it is proposed to award prizes , medals of honour , and other testimonials , to the producers of works in painting , sculpture , engraving , architecture , musie , and poetry , " being the production of the year preceding the distribution . Local committees and honorary secretaries will be appointed , with whose co-operation meetings of the Society , with exhibition and a distribution of prizes ,, will be held in their respective districts . Distinguished foreign artists and

      connoisseurs will be invited to become honorary corresponding members of the Society . Tinallv , a new Art periodical , and occasional photographs from rare engravings , &c , are promised for distribution amongst the members . All this reads very well , and if " the promises held forth be adequately realised , an important movement in art will be the result . An inaugural meeting of the Society is to take place early in December , at which , doubtless , the views of the promoters will be explained in more complete detail . Meantime we wish them all the success they deserve .

      LEGGA . TX S NEW CITY GALLERY . In'Change-alley , in the midst of stockbrokers and sharebrokers , Messrs . Lcggatt and Co ., of Cornhill , have established a very handsome and well-lighted gallery for the exhibition of pictures , and Mr . L . V . Floton has stocked it with a very fair collection of works of the most eminent modern artists , which are intended for sale to whoever may choose to buy them . Though avowedly , therefore , a commercial transaction , the undertaking , we think , is one which will prove of advantage to the interests of art , by keeping a large quantity of the works of our living artists constantly before the

      eye of the public j their prices and their merits being open to a more general and critieal scrutiny than they generally meet with in the rooms of the ordinary picture-dealer . The collection at present comprises some two hundred , pictures , all of a popular class , and many of the choice specimens of the respective artists . Conspicuous on entering the room is Philip and AnsdqU ' s " The tfair at Seville , " an admirable composition , full of character and life , and solidly and brilliantly coloured . By Philip also , wo admire " The Sunbeam , " exhibited , ^ ye believe , iu 1852 , and which has since found an . imitator on the walls of the Royal Academy . Poolc ' s " The Bower of Bliss , " is classically conceived , much in tho character of Poussin , and executed with a warm , clear , golden

      brush . Near at hand is a Constable , " The Loch on tho Stour , Suffolk , " a picture of his middle period , rich and cool iu tone , and without tho snottincss which disligured his later productions . "The Lay of tho Last Minstrel , " by JbYitli , is a wonderful study of an old man ' s head , painted with line chiaroscuro . Bright , one of our most genuine and pleasing- landscapes , who has for some yoors been prevented by indisposition from pursuing his profession , is now njjniu before us with aomo charming bits' of natural scenory , treated with true- poetic fooling . " Humble jfaro" is a little group of donkey , and ohild feeding it , on Hnmpstcad-htjuth , tho animal portion by . 1 J . Hill and Earl j " An old "Welsh Flannel Mill , " and a View in Norfolk" are in a different stylo , but

      perfect in their way . Gk Lance ' s " Sumptuous Repast" is certainly one of the most gorgeously and carefully painted fruit pieces that ever came from the band of the artist . J . Linneil , senior ' s , "A Clearing-off Shower near Hampstead-heatb . " is fresh , cool , ^ full of air , and less lurid in hue than is too often the case with this school . Hook's " The Ship Boy ' s Letter" is a touching episode of rural domestic life : a fond father and mother , while at ' work in the fields , reading a letter just arrived from their absent son , two of their younger progeny being seated on the ground beside them . The little family story is quietly but

      effectively told . A fine picture , of a somewhat similar class , as far as the thought is concerned , is T . S . Cooper ' s " Home , " exhibited last year at the Royal Academy , representing a view of Canterbury , taken from the fields , in which are sheep , women , &c , and two soldiers , just landed from foreign service , asking about " Home . " Knell ' s two battle pictures , " The Nile" and " Trafalgar /* are vigorously and honestly painted . Johnston ' s " Trial of Archbishop Laud , " though somewhat heavy , is interesting in an historical point of view .

      An engraving from it has just been published by Messrs . H . Graves and Co . Amongst the other contributors we may mention the names of Sir E . Landseer , Sir C . Eastlake , A- Elmore , 3 ? , K ,. Pickersgill , Maclise , Etty , Stanfield , Goodall , Baxter , Provis , Woolmer , Faed , and Niemann . We may add that at Messrs . Leggatt's establishment , close by , Frith ' s famous " Derby Day •* ' is on view , previous to being put into the hands Of the engraver . It has been considerably touched and improved by the artist since it left the walls of the Royal Academy .

      Untitled Article

      Royal GicoaRArmcAL . Socikty . —A crowded meeting of this Society was held on Monday evening , at Burlington House , Sir Roderick I . Murchlson , president , in the chair . The papers rood were : —1 . " Kotos , Geographical and Commercial , on tho Gulf of Pochuli and tho Peiho River , " by Captain Shorard Osborn , R . N ., F . R . G . S ., her Majesty ' s ship Furious . . Tho second pnpor road \ raa " On the Search of Loiohhardt and Uio Australian Desort , " by the Rov . W . B . Olnrko , of Sydney , F . R . G . S . Tho mooting adjourned to tho 1 . 1 ch of I ? oeoinbor . Uank , of England . — Mr . Georgo JCurlo Gray baa boon appointed cliicf accountant of tho Bniik of England In place of Mr . Smoo , l » Uo ! y doomed . A > Ith regard to the latter geiillomiin , a resolution was passed at tha Court of Director * to rooord tho lil # h flonso it entertains of his lonff nnd FalthM hitvIoo * , tho high Integrity of his character , ami his indefatigable exertions In tho discharge of his duty .

      Untitled Article

      COVENT GARDEN THEATRE . Preparations are being made for the flitting of the Pyne and Harrison opera company from Drury Lane 4 o this house . Among other arrangements that 3 iave come to our knowledge , the most interesting * by far is that this spirited management have decided upon the total abolition of box-booking fees , and the suppression , as far as possible , of boxkeeper ' s demands . If the public , who have ever complained of

      • these extortions , will support the direction , by refraining from endeavours to obtain unfair advantages by furtive bribes , the experiment will , no doubt , be successful , and the public really be under great -obligations to Mr . Harrison . The gratuitous distribution of play-bills would cost little , and be a very popular boon . We believe it has been under -consideration , and should be pleased to hear it was decided upon .

      ¦ ever , were so lively that they landed the author in safety , and are entitled to all praise and credit for the genuine applause that prevailed at the fall of the curtain . We are pleased to see that the energy , enterprise , and talent of the fair manageress are beginning to tell , and that really full and fashionable -houses are nightly gathered by- the many attractions of the Strand bill of fare- Mr . Byron ' s Maid and Magpie is alone enough to repay a visit to this theatre , even on a cold night , even from a longdistance . 'SheBonnie Fishwife , with Miss Oliver , one of Mr . Selby ' s highly successful pieces , is also performed every night , and is a very pleasing pendant 40 the Ttavestie .

      The " little savage" herself completes his rout , and by a degree of hysterical hoydenism bordering upon the lunacy of Distaffiaa , first perplexes and then frightens him ; and finally gives him the coup de ijrace by the information that not she but another Miss Dalrymple is to inherit the Choker property . He retires in dudgeon , disgust , and disgrace ; and , as nature abhors a vacuum , his place is instantaneously . supplied by Mr . Pai-ker . The farce itself is all shreds and patches , tops and tails , beginnings and endings ; presenting nothing for anybody to do except Miss Wilton , Mr . Swan borough , and Mr . Turner , who , as a provincial serving man , is allotted one stale , eternal reference to his better days . The principals ,

      how-Kate . Larftim , who succeeds him , has , therefore , an uphill game with the latter , though his servility « jake& way with the former and with pompous old Jjadti Barbara Choker . His efforts to make himself agreeable , and the pretty petulance of the ingenuous young heiress provoke some merriment , which is interrupted by the unexpected return of Parker , said 4 o have fallen from his horse . The real intrigue now begins . Parker makes his rival the instrument of his own punishment . He posts Kate within hearing , and by feigned madness and cajolery ¦ draws from him a ^ confession of his duplicity .

      bidding of a money-grubbing parent—come two suitors , one is John Parker ( Mr . W . H . Swanborough ) , a swell , " correct as possible in get up , and incorrect A la mode in manners and morals . The other is his friend , Lionel Larttins ( Mr . J . Clarke ) , a cockney snob who , anxious for the match , has endeavoured / by spreading a false report that the heiress is a " little savage , " to keep the coast clear for himself . But Parker arrives first * and thoug-h he rudely tramples on the corns of all their prejudices , contrives , just as he is turned out of the house by the Pater-• fiimilias , to fascinate and to fall in love with little

      Untitled Article

      ¦ . - « ¦ 3 Sro / 453 / NovEMBEB 27 _ 185 a ] THE L E A 3 ) E E . 1287

      Untitled Article

      THE NEW SCHOOLMASTER . What , boys , what , boys , I thought you knew This sort of thing invites the birch ; You'll find what Punch Las told you true—You must not bring your toys to church . If all your silly little games—Cross , censers , flowers- ^ -delighfc you so , Keep them , but give them schoolboy names , They ' re quite apart from church , you know Barney , attend to what I say ; Those Christmas candles red and green , Use them , and welcome , at your play , But never let them here be seen . You foolish Lycldy , you have brought Those crosses , eh ? My little dear , Learn to be serious , as you ought .

      We'll have no oughts and crosses here . What ' s that you mutter ? " Mr . Pope Allows his lads to have their toys . " You don ' t compare yourselves , I hope , To those bad , cunning , vicious boys ? Pope ' s boys are trained to lie , nor care How much—what models , boys , for you Provided that he gets his share , Pope never questions what they do . You bov , with hair that never curls , What ' s that you say , with look awry ? " We bring the toys to please the girls . " For shame , you little coward , fie ! To screen behind that base pretence ,

      And charge on girls your breach of rules : Besides , it ' s false , all girls of sense And spirit call you childish fools . Now mark me well . My name is Tait , And here ' s my rod . Ench mother ' s son Beware , lest ho should feel its weight : These are my words , to every one . " Your Mother , boy , has trusted me , I will not leave her in the lurch ; But flog you eoundly if I see You over bring your toys to church . " — 'Punch

      Jptttp Fflrfff Jtihk Auu. ^—~

      fun % x \ & .

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), Nov. 27, 1858, page 1287, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2270/page/15/