BOOKSELLERS' PROVIDENT RETREAT. A piece of freehold land has been munificently presented by John Dickinson, esq. for the purpose of building the proposed Retreat. It is situate about 21 miles from Euston Square, on the Birmingham line of Railway, between Abbot's Langley and King's Langley, at which latter place there is a station, and the trains stop four or five times each way daily. The land consists of nearly three acres, and is in every respect calculated to promote the health and enjoyment of those who may hereafter become its occupants.

THE FRENCH ACADEMY.

At the annual meeting of the Academy of Inscriptions and Belles Lettres, the prize for Numismatics was awarded to Signor Gennaro Riccio for his work on the "Coins of the Great Roman Fami. lies;" the first medal for works "on the Antiquities of France" was given to the treatise of the late M. Gerard, on Indelburge of Denmark, Queen of France; the second, to M. Marchiga, for his work on the Archives of Anjou; and the third, to M. de la Teyssoniere, for his historical researches on the department of the Ain. A fourth medal had been placed at the disposal of the Academy by the Minister of Public Instruction, and had been by it awarded to Messrs. Cheruel and Le Gley, ex æquo; to the former, for his History of Rouen, and to the latter for his History of the Counts of Flanders. Honourable mention was made of not less than 13 other historical works. The prizes founded by Baron Gobert, for works connected with French history, were awarded, the first to

M. H. Martin, for his tenth and eleventh volumes of his History of France, and the second to M. Monteil. After the prizes

had been announced, M. Dureau de la Malle read an interesting paper on "the Budget of the Roman Empire under Augustus," which was much applauded. Some other business was then transacted, and the meeting separated.

The following are announced as the subjects proposed for prizes by the Academy of Inscriptions and Belles Lettres for the gold medal, value 2000f. for the ensuing year:-"A Sketch of the History of the Wars which took place between the Romans and the Kings of Persia, of the Dynasty of the Sassanides, from the time of the Emperor Gordian down to the Invasion of the Arabs." This subject was proposed for the present year, but no prize was awarded. Also, a similar medal for the best paper on "A Critical Examination of the Historians of Constantine the Great, compared with the various Monuments of his Reign;" already proposed for 1843, but not awarded. And lastly, a third gold medal for the following subject:-" A Research into the Origin, Emigrations, and Successions of the people who inhabited the countries north of the Black Sea and the Caspian, from the Third Century down to the Eleventh; determining, as far as possible, the Extent of the Countries which each of them occupied at different Epochs." The subject for the gold medal of 1846 is "A Critical Inquiry into the Succession of the Egyptian Dynasties, according to Historical Writings and National Monuments."

ART-UNION OF LONDON.

Aug. 13. The annual meeting of the subscribers to the Art-Union of London was held at Drury-lane Theatre, his Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge in the chair. In consequence of the recent proceedings in Parliament connected with this society the greatest possible interest seemed to be excited to witness this annual ceremony, and the theatre was filled in every part. George Godwin, esq. F.R.S. the honorary secre tary, read the report, which contained the following statement of the difficulty which occasioned this year's delay.

"In April last, according to custom, all the arrangements were made for the GENT. MAG. VOL. XXII.

A few

annual distribution of the funds. days before the appointed time a letter was received from the solicitor to the Lords Commissioners of her Majesty's Treasury, informing the committee that the Art-Union of London had been brought under the notice of their lordships, that they were advised it was illegal, and that the further continuance of the same would render all parties engaged in it liable to prosecution. On receipt of this communication the committee immediately suspended their proceedings, and addressed an urgent memorial to the Prime Minister, setting forth that the Art-Union of London, since its establishment in 1837, had expended about 2 Q

36,000l. in the purchase and preparation of works of art, to the great encouragement of artists, and the diffusion of a taste for the fine arts throughout the empire; that none of the parties concerned in its management had any pecuniary or other personal interest therein; that it had put into operation painters, sculptors, engravers, medal-die sinkers, and workers in bronze-a branch of art much neglected in this country; and they had established correspondents, not merely throughout the United Kingdom, but in Ceylon, Bombay, Singapore, Nova Scotia, Hobart Town, Mexico, and New York; and had thus bound together by one common interest-an important and good one-a multitude of individuals throughout the world, and had opened to many fresh sources of elevating gratification, tending to wean them from debasing pursuits; that the committee had then a large sum of money in their hands for distribution and for payment of engravers; that many artists had devoted labour and skill to the preparation of works of art, and in the majority of cases looked to this and similar associations for their reward; and that, if the committee were prevented from completing their arrangements, the results would be disastrous to a large body of meritorious men. They therefore prayed, without then entering on the question of legality, that they might receive assurance that no legal proceedings would be sanctioned by Government if the general meeting were held as arranged, and promised to give the most serious attention to the opinion of the law officers of the Crown before any steps were taken towards a future subscription.

They had an interview afterwards with Sir George Clerk, on the part of Sir Robert Peel, but were unable to obtain any guarantee. A meeting of artists was held in the metropolis, numerous petitions were presented to Parliament from all parts of the country, and ultimately, on the motion of the Right Hon. Thomas Wyse, a committee of the House of Commons was appointed (3d of June) to consider the objects, results, and present position of Art-Unions, how far they are affected by existing laws, and what are the most expedient and practicable means to place them on a safe and permanent basis, and to render them most subservient to the improvement and diffusion of art through the different classes of the community.'

"This committee continued to receive evidence till the end of July, and have not yet made their report. In the meantime the exhibitions were drawing to a close, and the Right IIon. Lord Montea

gle, with the view of securing the continuance of the operations of this association, and of preventing disappointment to artists who had exhibited works during the current year, presented a bill to the House of Lords to legalise Art-Unions, under the provisions of which, as altered by the House of Commons and made law, the association is now carried on. By this Act we are enabled to proceed until the 31st day of July, 1845; and it is understood that, early in the next session of Parliament, a Bill, founded on the report of the committee, will be brought in to place the Art-Union of London and similar societies on a permanent and firm basis.

"The subscription for the present year amounts to the sum of 14,8197. 14s., being an increase of 24851. 78. over that of last year. The number of works of art selected by the prize-holders last year was 236, including two pieces of sculpture. They were exhibited for three weeks to the subscribers and their friends in the Suffolk-street Gallery, by permission of the Society of British Artists, and for one week gratuitously to the public without any limitation or restriction. It is estimated that, in the whole, nearly 200,000 persons visited this exhibition, without the occurrence of any accident.

"Since the last general meeting the print due to the subscribers of 1843,

Raffaelle and the Fornarina,' engraved after Sir Augustus Calcott by Mr. Lumb Stocks, has been distributed. At the same time the outlines in illustration of 'The Pilgrim's Progress,' engraved after Mr. Selous by Mr. Henry Moses, were distributed to the subscribers of the cur

rent year. The engraving after Mr. Clarkson Stanfield, R.A., by Mr. Goodall, The Castle of Ischia,' due to the subscribers of the current year (1844), in addition to the outlines, is in a forward state. Every subscriber for 1845 will receive an impression of a line engraving, after Mr. Mulready, R.A., by Mr. G. T. Doo, The Convalescent,' which is far advanced towards completion.

"In consequence of the very successful result of the first competition of designs in outline, the advertisement was repeated. In reply, 32 sets of designs of various degrees of merit were received, from which the committee selected, as most deserving of the premium offered, a series illustrative of Thomson's Castle of Indolence,' by Mr. William Rimer.

"For a future year the committee have arranged to engrave Jephtha's Daughter,' painted by Mr. O'Neil, and selected by Mr. Cyrus Legg, a prizeholder of 1843, and have placed it in the hands of

Mr. Peter Lightfoot, for that purpose. In order to insure a good subject for engraving hereafter, and to induce the production of a superior work of art, the committee are about to offer the sum of 5007., under conditions which will be advertised, for an original picture illustrative of English history. They propose that cartoons, the size of the picture, shall be sent in by the 1st of January, 1845, from which the selection shall be made, and that the artist shall undertake to complete the finished painting within 12 months after the decision.

"The bronzes from Flaxman's Michael and Satan,' and Sir R. Westmacott's Nymph and Child,' executed very satis. factorily by Mr. Edward Wyon and Mr. Woodington, have been distributed to the prizeholders. For the present year the committee have caused a bust of Hebe, by Mr. A. Gatley, selected by Miss Acocks, a prizeholder in the last distribution, to be put into bronze by Mr. Hatfield.

"The medal of Chantrey has been delayed, unfortunately, partly by the illness of Mr. W. Wyon, R.A., and partly by the success of our arms in India, which led the Government to call on that gentleman unexpectedly for medals for the troops. It is now nearly completed. In continuation of the series, Mr. A. J. Stothard has been commissioned to execute a medal of Sir Joshua Reynolds. The committee intend to take immediate steps to obtain medals commemorative of Sir Christopher Wren and Flaxman.

"The extension of the Society's operations has called for an increase of the establishment, and additional exertions on the part of those engaged in it. To remind the subscribers of the largeness of the operations carried on in the office, it may not be uninteresting to state that since the last meeting more than 60,000 letters and circulars have been issued by post; 15,030 copies of last year's report, 50,000 prospectuses and almanacs, and 10,000 catalogues of the prizes have been distributed. For the print of 'Una' 12,000 sheets of paper were required; for that of Raffaelle and the Fornarino' nearly the same number; and for the designs in outline 330,000 sheets.

"The account of receipts and disbursements for the current year showed that the sum set apart for engraving the 'Castle of Ischia' was £1857 17 9

expenses are little more than they were last year, notwithstanding the increased number of subscribers, and the expenses caused by the late proceedings of the Government. The amount set apart, according to the foregoing statement, for the purchase of works of art-viz., 8590?, will be allotted as follows:-Fifty works of art of the value of 101. each, 5007.; thirty-six of 157. each, 5407.; forty-two of 201. each, 8401.; twenty-eight of 251. each, 7007.; twenty-five of 301. each, 750.; twenty of 401. each, 8001.; fourteen of 501. each, 7007.; twelve of 607. each, 7207.; eight of 701. each, 5607.; six of 801. each, 4087.; six of 1007. each, 6007.; two of 1501. each, 3001.; two of 2007. each, 4007.; one of 3001.; one of 4001. To these are to be added thirty bronzes of the Bust of Hebe,' making, in the whole, 283 works of art. reserved fund commenced in 1842; and. formed simply by the profit on sale of catalogues at the exhibition, the interest on subscriptions received, and the sums unexpended by prizeholders, now amounts to 1000l."

The

He

The report concluded with some general remarks, which were received with considerable applause. T. Wyse, esq. M.P. then addressed the meeting. remarked that, with regard to what had recently occurred, it appeared to him that the Government, when called upon by individuals to uphold the law, had no other course to pursue but to put that law into execution. In consequence of this step on the part of the Government an inquiry had been instituted, not only into the management of art-unions in this country, but also into the management of those on the Continent; and he felt bound in justice to say that Sir Robert Peel had given every facility to the inquiry, and had, throughout, acted in the most candid and conciliatory manner. The speaker then proceeded to make some eloquent remarks on the language of art, and to point out how desirable it is that artists should be induced to devote their attention to the illustration of the two noblest subjects that could engage the attention of the human mind-religion and history. It might be seen, by the recent illustrations of the history of Knox, that Protestantism had her artistical glory as well as Catholicism. With regard to history, there were many public buildings of this metropolis which might be most appropriately made receptacles for historical paintings; he trusted that the example set by those who had the management of the decoration of the two Houses of Parliament would be followed by the city of London and the other cities of the em

pire. The arts, to prosper, must be patronized by the Sovereign, the aristocracy, and the people. We were happy in the possession of a Sovereign who not only encouraged art, but who knew by what means that encouragement might be made most effectual, who herself enjoyed the noblest aspirations-who loved, valued, and understood the art. As a Royal commissioner, he could state that he had never seen more enthusiasm in the cause of art, or more devotion to its encouragement, than had been exhibited by the Sovereign.

Mr. Ewart, M.P., moved a vote of thanks to Lord Monteagle and Mr. Wyse, M.P. for their services in their respective Houses of Parliament. The former, in returning thanks, acknowledged the assistance he had received from the Duke of Cambridge and the Marquess of Northampton.

The drawing of the prizes was, as usual, performed by two young ladies, one of whom drew from a wheel the numbers, while the other drew from another wheel the prizes. The first prize drawn was one of 701. in favour of Dr. Culham, of Dartford. This was followed by one of 301. in favour of Mr. Jas. Thompson, of Nova Scotia, and the next was one of 1007. in favour of Mr. Kilburn, of Port Philip, Australia. The singularity of these two prizes being awarded to persons dwelling on such opposite points of the earth, created a sensation of surprise, and was loudly ap. plauded. The prize of 4001. was obtained by Miss C. Remington, of Kirkby Lonsdale; that of 3007. by Mr. E. M. George, of Cheapside. Among the other prizeholders were, the Countess of Arundel and Surrey, 307.; the Countess of March, 301.; Lady Lushington, 301.; the Earl of March, 251.; Earl Grey, 107.; Edward Hawkins, esq. F.R.S. 60%.; A. Cooper, R.A. 201.

66

Reposo," said by Titian, from the Giustiniani collection, 200 guineas. No. 8, a "Hawking Party," by Wouvermans, once excellent, and may become so again under the skilful care of its purchaser (Mr. Farrer), 620 guineas. No. 9, "Le Lendemain des Noces," by Teniers, 510 guineas. No. 10, a "Landscape," by Gaspar Poussin, 380 guineas. No. 11, the " Flight into Egypt," by Claude, representing a beautiful Mediterranean inlet, without a single feature of the Levantine shore, 760 guineas. No. 12, another and far better Teniers, "Pair ou non Pair," which may be Englished, "Odd or Even;" a game represented at its crisis, before a Dutch alehouse. It once belonged to the Orleans collection. Mr. Hibbert gave 300 guineas for it half a century ago; it now brought 850. No. 13, Lot and his Daughters," by Guido, purchased for the National Gallery at 1600 guineas, and on which we quote the following remarks from the Athenæum :"A graceful, a grandiose, an attractive, though quite unmeretricious picture. Its venturesome theme is the forlorn hope of a painter to succeed in; he seldom escapes unscathed; Guido's discreet skill and delicate taste enables him to triumph. His proper choice of the time makes his visible delineation as little objectionable as the catastrophe itself, seen through the dim veil of sacred description. We are not here disgusted with a view of senile and incestuous bacchanalianism; the personages, on their way from Zoar to the mountains, betoken not that they have left one Gomorrah for another, nor would find this other anywhere they went, because they had it within them; nevertheless, those beautiful Niobe features of the eldest daughter wear a too pleasure-given regard; and the golden wine-vessel she carries has Cupid-like forms embossed upon it; the youngest, a damsel of still lovelier mien, and her indulgent father, hold discourse more earnest and familiar than patriarchal strictness would have permitted: thus charily, yet significantly, does Guido prefigure the approaching truth. We defend his attempt no further. He outrages costume, if he observes decorum: Greek art was undreamt of then, and Roman cloaks had not dawned on any sartorial imagination. This admitted, the figures are draped with tasteful elegance and nobleness. In respect of workmanship, the style we should pronounce transition, between his earlier, powerful, Caravaggiesque, and his later, subdued, own, -nearer, however, to the first. Well. painted heads have always a substantive value, but the hands of these dignified persons would by themselves make com

an

plete and admirable pictures." Of this picture there is an engraving by Cunego. No. 14, "Susanna and the Elders," Guido, 900 guineas; also engraved by Cunego. No. 15, "Interior," by A. Ostade, 1,310 guineas. No. 16, "The Woman taken in Adultery," ascribed to Titian, 600 guineas. Last, not least, No. 17, the "Judgment of Paris," by Rubens : Orleans article, and brought, when Lord Kinnaird sold it, 3,000 pounds; it now brought 4,000 guineas, and has become one of the splendid fixtures that adorn our National Gallery. "Here are Mercury and the Phrygian shepherd-prince surveying with flushed complexions and watery eyes three hussies of goddesses that unmask their Flemish graces to the noontide sun. Had the judge to decide which was the least of a beauty, it might well have puzzled him. Notwithstanding all this, the picture entrances, enraptures! Power -power is the secret charm of Rubens's creations, gorgeousness only their superficial attraction, sometimes their defect, when it degenerates into garishness.' This picture has been engraved by Lom. melin, Couché, and Woodman. It may be said the national collection wanted neither another Rubens nor Guido, but such fine specimens once lost would have been quasi irrecoverable; each was bid for like a dish of food in a famine. A single hour sold the entire Penrice cabinet -thirteen thousand pounds' worth of pic

tures.

MONUMENT OF SOUTHEY. Considerable dissatisfaction is felt at Bristol as to the proposed erection of the monument to Southey in the Cathedral ; and it is thought by some that College Green would be the more fitting locality. Mr. W. S. Landor has written on the subject a letter to the editor of the Great Western Advertiser, which we think worthy of republication, particularly as it is referred to in Mr. Britton's letter given in another part of our present Magazine. Sir, Bath, July 25th, 1844.

I delay not an instant to acknowledge your courtesy in sending me the Great Western Advertiser, dated Saturday, July 20th, 1844, and containing the notice of a meeting held to consider about a monument to the memory of Southey. In my opinion your remarks on Mr. Baily's design are just. Among the many who have done honour to your City as their birthplace, Mr. Baily occupies almost the highest station. In this design, however, he has fallen into the same error as Canova fell into regarding the monument of Alfieri, in the church of Santa Croce, at Florence. They resemble one another,

and are the very worst ideas of the two great masters. Mr. Baily is classical; but Mr. B. must recollect that neither mural nor other monuments of the dead ever were seen in the temples of Greece or Rome. If the Christian religion was tolerant of this profanation, it was from motives neither slight nor unholy; it was to protect her defenders from outrage in their last home, and to excite at once the piety and the courage of their fellow-worshippers. It was continued for profit and perquisite. The Crusaders, and others who bore arms at home, lie recumbent under the images of their intercessors, and express, in their placid countenances, no sentiment but devotion. Everything about them bears one character. I was the first, I believe, to express my opinion publicly, that there should be neither burials nor monuments in churches. At the same time I proposed that the images of great men should adorn the public walks of our cities. Such is our climate, that we cannot walk among them frequently in the open air. But why not build ample and well-lighted arcades for their reception? Naval worthies might rest upon rostra, just higher than our heads, and not upon columns where only the jackdaws can see them. Generals of armies should have equestrian statues : poets, philosophers, and historians (whenever we have any), may rest on single plinths; and theirs be only busts. No inscription for any. It is singular that Southey, when we were walking for the last time together, should have conversed with me on the subject of his monument. He was then in perfect health. We walked in College Green; and I said to him, "Twenty years hence, perhaps, workmen may be busy on this very spot in putting up your statue." He replied, "If ever I have one, I would wish it to be here."

I am, &c. W. S. LANDOR.

DECORATIVE ART.

The Committee appointed by the Royal Commissioners to inspect and report on works of Decorative Art, as applicable to the New Houses of Parliament, have recommended the specimens of Ornamental Metal-work sent in by Messrs. Messenger and Sons, of Birmingham, Messrs. Bramah & Co., and Mr. Abbott. In the department of Wood-Carving the artists specially noticed are Mr. Cummings, Mr. Ollett, Mr. Ringham, Mr. Freeman, Mr. Browne, and Mr. John Thomas. The Committee add, that," among the artists in wood, Mr. Rogers did not comply with the terms announced in the notice put forth by the Commission, and his name has, therefore, not been inserted in the