1816.] [ 437 ] REVIEW AND REGISTER OF THE FINE ARTS. "Non ego paucis Offendar maculis, quas aut incuria fudit Portrait of Her Royal Highness the Princess Charlotte of Wales. Painted by GEO. HAYTER, Esq.; engraved by F. C. LEWIS; and dedicated, by permission, to His Serene Highness the Prince of Saxe-Cobourg. THIS portrait is the companion to that which we noticed in the preceding month, the production of the same artists. Mr. Lewis, as well as Mr. Hayter, has the advantage of fixing to his own name the patronage of the illustrious personages he has so ably assisted to pourtray, for he now styles himself engraver to Her Royal Highness the Princess Charlotte: most heartily do we pray that these distinctions may not be found to have proceeded from mere courtesy, but from a real admiration of talent, and that predilection for the arts, which, in such an exalted quarter, would augur well for their future advancement. The patronage of the great has always proved the most successful incitement to genius; and pecuniary reward, although a necessary and useful adjunct, has comparatively few charms to a man of taste and ardour. The temperament of genius is not cold and calculating, and to an artist pounds shillings and pence are only accessorial, not primary considerations. The portrait before us is in the very best taste and style-it is sketchy as portraits ought to be, and not evincing the labour which would be better bestowed on nobler objects; it is highly expressive and animated; two or three delicate and judicious touches of bodycolour on the prominent parts of the face give to it the effect of a drawing, and we can safely aver, that we never beheld a more successful, or artist-like portraiture of a beautiful and illustrious woman. A whole-length portrait of the Princess has also been published by ACKERMANN, engraved by H. MEYER, from a drawing by A. E. CHALON, A. R. A. ; but although a good likeness, the attitude and dress are theatrical and affected; we cannot extend to it our entire approbation. HORACE. Portraits of celebrated Painters. En graved by JOHN CORNER, from established authorities., Dedicated by permission to the Prince Regent, Parts 1, 2, and 3. A work of this description has long been a desideratum, and we are happy to add it is now accomplished in a manner not unworthy of its purpose. It cannot but be interesting to see the countenances of those who have contributed so largely to the pure and high enjoyments of mankind, faithfully depicted; and Mr. Corner has invariably chosen pictures of undisputed authenticity as his models; most of them indeed are painted by the artists themselves; they are engraved in the line manner with great freedom and spirit, and the originals are transferred to the copper with taste and feeling highly creditable to the powers of the engraver. A miniature of some celebrated picture is introduced as an ornament, and each portrait is also accompanied by a memoir compiled from the best sources, and which has the merit of pointing out at the bottom of the page whence its statements are derived. The heads already before the public are those of Sir Anthony Vandyck -Nicholas Poussin-John Booth-Giorgione-Giovanni Lanfranco-Francis Snyders-Titian-Domenichino-Pietro BerretiniSir Peter Lely-Pordenone--Jacob Jordaens. The most disgusting feature of portrait painting is the tasteless costume in which, according to the decree of fashion, the parties are bound to be represented: "the human form divine" is sometimes doomed to one disguise, and sometimes to another. The only invariable rule seems to be, to cover the person as much as possible, and to banish simplicity of attire. From these trammels so repugnant to true taste, it is natural to suppose painters, in representing themselves and each 438 Review and Register of the Fine Arts. other, should be more free than other persons; and accordingly the portraits before us exhibit a great excellence in this particular-the object of the person painted seems not exclusively to have been, as it now is, to appear as courtly, as magmficent, and as dressy as possible; but by a moderate exposure of the bust, and broad and simple draperies to preserve the native dignity of man unsophisticated by art or fashion. The Head of Vandyck, by himself, is very masterly in design, and is beautifully engraved. The same remarks apply to that of Lanfranco, in which, and in that of Domenichino, our preceding remarks on costume are illustrated. The head of Snyders is expressive, and the face is engraved with a delicacy and manner not frequently to be met with. Domenichino has the air of a man of genius and enterprise, and the engraving is rich and free. The portrait of Sir Peter Lely is disfigured with au immeuse Charles the Second's wig, and with a bit of landscape, and fully fitted in to fill up the remaining canvas; of this error, however, it is needless to say the engraver is guiltless, who has invariably performed his task so as to deserve the thanks of artists and the patronage of the public, and whose subsequent numbers will, we trust, justify our present opinion of the work, as these completely fulfil our former anticipations (vol. v. p. 450.) A small engraving has been published of the head purporting to be Shakspeare's in the possession of Mr. Dunford, and it is needless to say that it has been performed in a masterly manner, when we add that it is the work of Mr. Sharpe. One cannot help regretting that the talents of this gentleman have been so misapplied, for that this picture is spurious, no one doubts; its history in a letter published in this Magazine for June last, page 416, is unquestionably true-indeed we are informed that the person who retouched and made it saleable, now [Dec. 1 makes no scruple of avowing his deceit. A New History of the Abbey Church of St. Peter's, Westminster, and its antiquities is publishing in parts, containing views, &c. by Mr. J. P. Neale; the first part contains some very beautiful engravings, and in a little time we hope to have the pleasure of particularizing their merits. Sir Thomas Lawrence, Mr. Fuseli, and Mr. Flaxman, have been elected members of the Academy of Painting and Sculpture at Rome. GEORGE DAWE, esq. has issued proposals for publishing half length portraits of the Princess Charlotte of Wales, and his Serene Highness, her husband, engraved in mezzotinto by permission from pictures painted for the royal couple, one by Mr. Maile, the other by Mr. Henry Dawe. Messrs, S. MITAN and COOKE, are engaged upon a series of (35) Outlined Etchings, sufficiently touched in the effect to give the spirit and character of the original designs by Capt. JONES, on the subject of the battle of Waterloo, illustrative of the general and leading features of that great event in various points of view, from the communication of those best enabled to give correct information of the actual scene, as also of the most striking traits of gallantry and incidents connected therewith. Mr. GONBAUD, a celebrated French Artist, will shortly publish the Elements of Design for the use of Students. The first part is to treat of the proportion of the figure. No. V. of "HAVELL's Villas," &c. is published, and contains a view of Cassiobury, the seat of the Earl of Essex, from TURNER, R. A.; a view of Corsham House, the seat of Paul Methuen, esq. M. P. from FIELDING, with historical and descriptive accounts of the two seats, by J. BRITTON, F. S. A. The prints are coloured in close imitation of the drawings. 1816.] New Publications, with Critical Remarks. ridan; with a particular Account of his Family and Connexions: illustrated by Original Correspondence and Anecdotes. By John Watkins, L.LD, 4to. It was not to be supposed that such a genius as Sheridan would be suffered to disappear from the horizon without some memorial of his life and character. This is the age of biography; and the world is inundated with accounts of persons who have in some degree attracted public notice, or whose virtues have endeared them in the estima tion of their friends. The present work is introduced by a very copious and entertaining history of the Sheridan family, concerning whom it is remarkable that all the memoirs hitherto published are incorrect. The most valuable part of their inWoduction is the correspondence of Mrs. Sheridan, who appears to have been a most accomplished and amiable woman. Of her husband, who distinguished himself by his visionary schemes for the im provement of education, a very curious and cha racteristic account is given, with observations on the effects of his eccentricities, as they influenced the mind and the manners of the son, whose memoirs constitute the remainder of the volume. Here the reader will meet with much to amuse and instruct him, though mixed with many relations that serve to mortify the pride of human wisdom, and to abate the confidence men are too apt to place in the professions of public virtue. The history of Sheridan is so blended with the great events of his time, and he bore so active a part in the po. litical drama, that the narrative of his life would have been very imperfect without a detail of those circumstances on which he displayed his extraor dinary powers. But while the biographer pays a proper attention to public occurrences. he takes care to mention them only as they affect his immediate subject; and in several instances of importance it will appear that new light has been thrown проп the secret springs of transactions which excited the attention of contemporaries and will exercise the diligence of future historians. Of memoirs in general, it may be said that they are drawn up to eulogize the dead, or to serve the purposes of a party; but in the present case, the utmost freedom has been taken to develope character and to relate facts without any attempt to palliate error or to gratify the taste of one set of persons at the expense of other men's feelings or judgment. Much information is given on the state of dramatic literature, and many humourous anecdotes are scattered throughout the work, not only of Mr. Sheridan, but of several persons who have obtained celebrity in the sphere of politics or the walks of literature. The portraits which illustrate the volume are of a very superior description, and being taken from original pictures, they are no doubt correct likenesses. Memorial Sketches of the late Rev. David Brown, senior chaplain of Fort William, Calcutta, with a selection of his Sermons. Edited by the Rev. C. Simeon, A.M. Fellow of King's College, Cambridge, 8vo. 12s. The Memoirs and Writings of Miss Fanny Woodbury, who died at Baverly, N. America, Nov. 15, 1814, aged 23 years, 5s. CHEMISTRY. A Practical Essay on Chemical Re-agents, or Tests; illustrated by a series of Experiments to shew the uses to which Chemical Tests may be applied, and the art of applying them successfully. By Frederic Accum, DANCING. 439 In the reign of Queen Elizabeth, an accomplished dancer not only obtained her majesty's favour, but the great seal of England as lord chancellor.. with a peerage; and in our own times, we have heard of a person of the same elevated rauk distinguished by his agility in the ball room no less than his eloquence in the senate and his learning on the judicial bench. Such being the case, we ought not to wonder that a French writer should have published a philosophical treatise on dancing, or that aby professor in our own country should venture to print a systematic view of this elegant art. Seriously, however, the present volume is highly deserving of commendation, and will be found extremely serviceable to those who are fond of a polite and rational amusement, combined with science and conducive to health. DIVINITY. Meditations and Prayers, selected from the Holy Scriptures, the Liturgy, and Pious Tracts, recommended to the wayfaring man, the invalid, the soldier, and the seaman, whensoever unavoidably precluded from the house of prayer. By a Clergyman. Second edition, 8vo, зs. 6d. We very readily agree with the reverend compiler of this judicious selection, that "profitable seeds of holiness, and a willing obedience to the precepts of religion," may certainly be gleaned from these pages for they contain portious of the soundest divinity, and of the most sublime worship." Works of this description are at all times valuable, and the present volume is peculiarly entitled to commendation as being free from that amatory tincture of enthusiastic fervour which too frequently disfigures books of devotion. Sermons on the Union of Truth, Reason, and Revelation in the Doctrine of the Established Church of England and Ireland; preached in 1814, 1815, and 1816. By the Hon. and Rev. Edward John Turnour, A.M. 8vo. 12s. The Season of Time, or an Exposition of the Prophecies which relate to the Two Periods of Daniel subsequent to the 1260 years now recently expired; being the time of the signed to the Extirpation of Apostacy and Seventh Trumpet; and prophetically asAccomplishment of the Reconciliation of the Jews, and Introduction of the Millennium. Together with Remarks on the Revolutionary Antichrist proposed by Bp. Horsley and the Rev. G. S. Faber. By W. Ettrick, A. M. SVO. 12s. A Form of Family Prayers selected and arranged for the use of a Family principally consisting of young persons, 28. Plain Discourses delivered to a Country Congregation. By the Rev. Wm. Butcher, A.M. Vol. III, 12mo. 3s. 6d. 12mo. 8s. 440 New Publications, with Critical Remarks. A Scriptural Exposition of the Church Catechism. By a Clergyman. 1s. Unitarianism a Scriptural Creed: occasioned by the Pamphlets of Mr. Law and Mr. Baxter, in Defence of the Doctrine of the Trinity. By T. C. Holland, Minister of the Unitarian Congregation in Preston. 1s. 6d. A Defence of the Divinity of our Blessed Saviour in Answer to some Letters by Mr. T. C. Holland, in which that Doctrine was attacked; with Remarks on the Personality of the Holy Ghost. By Edward Law, A.M. Minister of Holy Trinity Church, Preston. 4s. Farewell Sermons of some of the most Eminent of the Nonconformist Ministers, delivered at the period of their Ejectment by the Act of Uniformity, in 1662. Evo. 11s. Brief Memoirs of Four Christian Hindoos lately deceased: published by the Serampore Missionaries. 3s. 6d. Sermons by the late Charles Wesley, A.M. Student of Christ Church, Oxford; with a Memoir of the Author. Crown 8vo. 75. Plain Preaching, or Sermons for the Poor, and for People of all Ranks. By the Rev. R. Mayo. 12mo. 6s. The Connection between the Sacred Writings and the Literature of Jewish and Heathen Authors illustrated, principally with a view to Evidence in Confirmation of the Truth of Revealed Religion. By Robert Gray, D.D. prebendary of Durham and Chichester, and rector, of Bishopwearmouth. 8vo. 18s. GEOGRAPHY. [Dec. 1, MEDICINE, SURGERY, &C. A Caution against Vaccine Swindlers and Impostors. By John Ring, Member of the Royal College of Surgeons, in London, &c. &c. 8vo. 4s. In noticing this spirited exposure of scandalous practices we made a small mistake by stating the price as being nearly double what it is; and on that account we have thought it right to mention the book again in this number, fearful that an inadvertent error might otherwise narrow the circulation of what ought to be generally read, not only by medical men, but the whole British public. Observations on the Dangerous Tendency of Dr. Kinglake's Hypothesis respecting the use of Cold Water in Gouty and Rheumatic Affections, illustrated with a Case. By William Norman, Member of the Royal College of Surgeons, &c. 8vo. 2s. We some time since took notice of the refrige raut plan recommended by Dr. Kinglake in the treatment of gout, and intimated that it had been attended with fatal consequences. An instance of its dreadful effects is here detailed as having happened very near the Doctor's own residence, and yet such is the unfeeling obstinacy of this practi tioner, that, like Dr. Sangrado, he continues to disregard all the cases which prove the fallacy of his doctrine and the danger of his method. Mr. Norman has discharged his duty in publishing this bistory, and he has censured the Doctor with just severity; but notwithstanding these attacks we apprehend the advocate of cold water is too much attached to his hypothesis to be convinced even by tribus Anticyris! Report of Observations made in the British Military Hospital in Belgium, after the Battle of Waterloo, with some Remarks on Amputation. By John Thomson, M. D. Professor of Military Surgery in the Univer sity of Edinburgh, Surgeon to the Forces. 8vo. 8s. Some Practical Observations in Surgery, An Atlas for the Use of Schools. By Miss illustrated by Cases, embracing the subjects Wilkinson. 8vo. 7s. 6d. of Amputation, Erysipelas, Necrosis, Internal Abscess, &c. By A. C. Hutchinson. 8vo. 75. An Essay on the Common Cause and Prevention of Hepatitis or Bilious Complaints in general, as well in India as in Europe; with an Appendix recommending the old sub-muriates of Mercury in preference to those now in use. By Charles Griffith, M.D. deputy inspector of hospitals. 8vo. 75. 1816.] New Publications, with Critical Remarks. our own religious communion are weak enough to believe that Popery is meliorated, and that the professors of it may and ought to be admitted to legislative and political power. What use would be made of such power, and how far the condition of society would be improved by enlarging the privileges of men who are the slaves of a hierarchy, may be learned from the evidence here detailed, particularly that of Dr. Poynter, the Vicar Aposto. lic, or Romish Bishop of the London District. Among other questions put to this prelate were the three following, which with his answers merit the serious attention of every one who has any concern for his religion, or regard for the interests of morality. "Are you aware that a great number of the children of the poor Roman Catholics in London are entirely destitute of education, and that they have fallen into vicious and bad habits, arising from their ignorance?-I conceive there are a great number. It is a fact we cannot deny. "Nevertheless, as a Roman Catholic Bishop, could you consent to any attempt to better their moral condition by the instruction of Protestants; or must you not, consistently with your duty as Vicar Apostolic, refuse your assent to any attempts of the kind made by Protestants?--As a Catholic Bishop, I do not judge that their morals could be improved but by religious instruction, and I could not consent for them to receive it from Protestants. "Then you conceive that the religious instruction which might be conveyed by teaching them to read the Protestant Scriptures would not better their moral condition, in your view?-Certainly not." Thus, according to the judgment of the Romish clergy, no education is preferable to that imparted by Protestants, even when the latter confine themselves to mere moral instruction, without meddling with peculiar tencts, or endeavouring to explain the principles of religion. So much for the im proved state of that class of the community to whom we are required to concede the right of legislating for the Established Church!!! A Historical Survey of the Customs, Habits, and Present State of the Gypsies. By John Hoyland. 8vo. 7s. Letters on the Constrained Celibacy of the Clergy of the Church of Rome. 8vo. 10s. Juvenile Anecdotes; or Authentic and Interesting Facts of Children and Youth. Compiled by John Bruce. 12mo. 4s. A Vindication of the University of Edinburgh as a School of Medicine from the Aspersions of " A Member of the University of Oxford." With Remarks on Medical Reform. By Lawson Whalley, M. D. Physician to the General Dispensary at Lancaster. 8vo. 2s. Rees's Cyclopædia. Vol. XXXIV. Part I. 11. Encyclopædia Londinensis. Vol. XIV. Edinburgh Annual Register for 1814. 8vo. 11. is. Civic Honours, or a Historical Display of the Origin, Prerogatives, and Mode of Election of the Chief Magistrate of the City of London. 1s. 6d. The Pamphleteer. No. XVI. 6s. 6d. 441 narvon. By an Old Wife of twenty Years. 12mo. 5s. 6d. The Revealer of Secrets. 3 vols. 15s. Claudine, or Pertinacity. By Bridget Bluemantle. 3 vols. 15s. Villa Santelle, or the Curious Impertinent. By Catherine Selden. 6s. The Balance of Comfort; or the Old Maid and the Married Woman. By Mrs. Ross. 3 vols. 15s. The Wife of Fitzalice, and the Caledonian Siren. By Marianne Breton. 5 vols. 11.7s. 6d. Tales of To-day. By Mrs. Isaacs. 3 vols. 11. 4s. POETRY. Monody on the Death of the Right Honourable R. B. Sheridan, written at the request of a friend, to be spoken at Drury Lane Theatre. Svò. 1s. When Garrick died his successor wrote a monody which was spoken by Mrs. Yates accompanied with music the composition of Linley. But though the town was prepared for a rich entertainment, the performance disappointed the public expectation. The production before us had not, we believe, much better success than that of Sheridan, yet in truth it seems to be of a more attractive descrip. tion. The monody on Garrick was radically defective in the delineation of character, but this cannot be said of the present poem, and though in some points the talents of Sheridan are overrated, yet upon the whole his merits are well appreciated, and forcibly expressed. The following lines are among the best in the piece: "Hard is his fate on whom the public gaze Watch every fault that daring genius owes Half to the ardour which its birth bestows, Amyntor and Adelaide; or a Tale of Life, a Romance of Poetry. In Three Cantos. By Charles Masterton. 12mo. 5s. This poem is written in imitation of Spenser, and though the author is young he has caught the manner of that original bard with a spirit which promises still greater things. The story of two unfortunate lovers, separated from each other by paternal avarice, is related with a touching simpli city, and in harmonious numbers. Copies of Verses to the Memory of the late Richard Reynolds, of Bristol. By James Montgomery. 2s. The Poetic Mirror; or the Living Bards Brydges Willyams. 8vo. 6s. 4s. By James 85. POLITICS AND POLITICAL ECONOMY, Remedies proposed as certain, speedy, and effectual, for the Relief of our present Embarrassments. 8vo. 2s. 6d. VOL. VI. 3 L |