BRITISH INSTITUTION, PALL-MALL.

WE never ought to notice this institution, without expressing our high esteem for the noblemen and gentlemen by whom it was established. It affords a gratifying proof of their patriotism, as well as of their taste for the Fine arts. They must enjoy what to their feelings will be a full reward for their laudable zeal in bringing forth obscure and modest genius, in improving those arts, and in doing honour to their country. We were highly gratified by a view of the exhibition of living artists, and if we cannot consider it as the best that we have attended at this place, yet, on the whole, we can recommend it to the public as a refined entertainment, that not only pleases the eye, but, in many instances, by exciting amiable feelings and sentiments, is calculated to produce a powerful moral impression on the mind. It was no slight gratification to find that Sir William Beechey is in the full possession of those talents which have so deservedly raised his name among the best of British artists, though we could not but feel much surprised that so eminent and admirable a portraitpainter should have leisure enough to indulge himself in works of fancy. It is a proof, however, that his love of the Arts can at times triumph over all mere feelings of self-interest. He has sent three pictures, so excellent as to induce us almost to wish that he had no temptation to devote himself chiefly to portrait, except that he in

variably displays taste as well as fidelity in the latter department. His three works on this occasion, are Venus chiding Cupid for having lost his bow and arrows with Ganymede at hazard-a landscape with GypsiesPsyche, from the Golden Ass of Apu leius. We felt a melancholy pleasure in viewing a picture, entitled Sturdy Joe, by Mr Owen, R.A. an artist of great ability, who has long been disabled, by severe infirmities, from the active exertion of his talents. Mr Westall, R.A. has sent a very fine picture of Cupid and Psyche, in all respects worthy of his fame. Mr Howard, R.A. has a beautiful allegorical scene of "Iris and her train." He deservedly takes the lead in subjects of this description. Comus, with the lady in the enchanted chair, will add to the reputation of Mr Hilton, R.A. The Misses Reinagle come forward with works that testify the genius of the family. Mr Constable has a fine view of Salisbury Cathedral, from the Bishop's Grounds, which shows his architectural knowledge, as well as his taste in landscape. The veteran Mr Reinagle, R.A. manifests undecaying skill in his scene from Thornvill Royal Park. Our present limits, however, prevent us from detail, and therefore we can only add, that Linnell, Stephanoff, Eastlake, E. Landseer, and many other artists, well support their reputation. The Defeat of the Turks by the Suliotes, by Mr Denis Dighton, is a very fine picture, and we are assured by a very intelligent traveller, that nothing can be more accurate in

Graces," conceived and executed in a classical style. Both the Daniels have excellent pictures. Calcott's view of Rochester, from the river, below the bridge, is equal to any of his former works, and we cannot pay him a higher tribute of praise. Leslie's picture of "Sancho Panza in the apartment of the Duchess," is one of the most attractive pieces in the rooms.- -We regret that we can at present only notice what promiscuously occurs to memory. Mrs Pope has two beautiful flower-pieces, one in water-colours and one in oil. The subjects are tastefully arranged, and admirably executed. The Architectural Rooms contain some fine drawings. We were particularly struck by three, representing different aspects of the Bank, all of which are highly impressive, by Mr Soane, as well as by his view of a design for his Majesty's entrance into the House of Lords, erected between the 3d October 1823, and the 29th of January 1824, and we could not but feel great surprise that works so elegant, grand, and scientific, should have excited some silly objections, where better taste might be expected. The Model Academy has some admirable works from Chantrey, Flaxman, Westmacott, Bacon, Turnerelli, Behnes, Kendrick, and other wellknown artists. The rooms were at tended by a very numerous company, among whom were the Duke of Clarence, the Princess Augusta, Lady Mary Taylor, the Marchioness of Conyngham and her daughter, the Marquis of Stafford, Sir George and Lady Beaumont, Sir Charles and Lady Long, the Rev. Dr Long, Canon of Windsor, Watson Taylor, Esq. and other distinguished visitors, as well as by many of the more distinguished artists, and their wives, and it appeared to be generally acknowledged that the present exhibition not only fully equals, but in many respects exceeds, in merit, most of the former annual specimens ofBri

tish genius, and is highly honourable to the talents of the country.

We were much gratified by a view of the twentieth Exhibition of the Society of Painters in water-colours, at their Gallery in Pall-Mall East. We can say, with patriotic pride, that, wholly and severally, the works do honour to the artists and to the country. It is but justice to say, that, considering the former excellence of the Exhibitions of this association of artists, incredible as it may appear, the present collection is actually superior in general and individual merit. A spirit of laudable emulation seems to have animated all the contributors, and they may view the productions of each other with admiration, wholly unmixed with the alloy of envy. The chief artists, indeed, appear to have entered into a competition with themselves, and the result is an obvious triumph over all their former efforts. We defy the artists of every other country, single or combined, to produce a rival show of excellence. We mean not to be invidious in our selections, and therefore take the names as they promiscuously occur to us. The talents of Prout, Robson Hills, Copley, Fielding, Varley, Barret, Nesfield, W. Turner, Wild, Stephanoff, and many others, a notice of whom we must reserve till another opportunity, appear to the greatest advantage. The landscapes, in particular, are faithful and vivid representations of nature, whose charms are rendered more impressive by judicious and tasteful selection.

Mr W. B. Cooke, one of our best living Engravers, has opened his annual exhibition of drawings, in Sohosquare. Much as we have been gratified on former occasions, we cannot but consider the present assemblage as generally superior to what he has previously exhibited. It is also highly gratifying to see the chief artists in

chalk and water-coloured drawings contributing their respective works to this general treasury of such species of art. We regret that we have not room to notice particularly the principal works that adorn the place; but when we state that there are productions of Sir Thomas Lawrence, of the late Hamilton, Stothard, Robertson, the late Girtin, R. Westall, Havell, the late Tresham, J. M. W. Turner, the late Monro, Copley Fielding, Edridge, Owen, Cipriani, Dighton, Wilkie, Uwins, Cristall, the late R. Wilson, and many other excellent artists of the present day, we need not add that Mr Cooke has prepared an exquisite treat for all persons of real taste and judgment. We ought to state that the miniatures of Mr Ward, son of the Royal Academician, are well entitled to notice. There are also, besides other beautiful drawings by the late Mr Gainsborough, two moonlight scenes, that, viewed through magnifying glasses, produce an admirable effect. There are also print-rooms, in which the Engravings of Mr Cooke, as well as of other great artists, prove how well qualified he is to preside over an exhibition of this nature.

SOCIETY OF BRITISH ARTISTS.

A new Institution, under the above title, has been established, and a gallery for the exhibition of paintings by the Society, has been erected in Suffolk-street, Pall-Mall East. Haydon, Martin, Lintot, Heaphey, Glover, Hof

Several new artists have come forward, who already display considerable merit, and promise much greater in due time. We see nothing invidious in this new Institution, but rather an opening for talents to expand themselves, and consequently a general improvement of the fine arts, and also of the national taste. We have not room to detail the merits of the whole range of rooms, and will not make invidious selections. We ought not, however, to pass over the names of Glover, Heaphey, Haydon, Linton, Martin, Hofland, Hawkins, Nasmyth, Landseer, Cossee, and Lonsdale, whose respective works are highly creditable to their talents. The room allotted to engravings also manifests such skill as cannot be excelled in any country. Among these are some exquisite productions of Charles Heath, Scriven, Reynolds, Meyer, &c. The southwest room, assigned to architecture, drawings, miniatures, and enamels, also testifies the merits of the several artists, and the north-east room affords admirable specimens of sculpture. We shall take future occasions to bring into notice some of the works of most distinguished merit, and in the meantime we heartily wish success to the general body of artists who have embarked in this establishment, and sincerely hope that the patronage of the public will enable them to display their talents with profit as well as honour.

DRAWINGS BY CLAUDE.

British Museum.

The first part of this collection contains principally compositions, and memoranda of pictures which he had painted, drawn on paper, mostly in brown, with an occasional mixture of grey, and heightened with white, but all by Claude himself. Many of these

are masterly, and others are valuable, even though it be from the associations inseparable from the certain knowledge that we touch the very paper that had delighted his intelligent mind, under his living hand.

Many of these have been engraved, and are familiar to the collector. In the same volume, which is a large folio, the drawings lately purchased are inserted, and have been cut out of the book in which they were brought over, and carefully laid on coloured paper, and herein arranged by Mr Payne Knight. We have seen many of the original drawings, which are engraved in the Liber Veritatis, and several of the same character, in various private collections, which are also equally authenticated as the works of Claude; but we have seen very few that can be compared with these, or capable of creating that interest which we felt on this visit to the British Museum; for here we beheld the studies of the painter as he wrought from nature, with that pictorial identity and severe truth which alone can be inspired upon the spot.

Amongst other chit-chat relating to this book of books, we heard it whispered in the print-room, that the late Mr Richard Payne Knight had intended to bequeath his collection of works of art to the library of the Royal Academy, under the trusteeship of the members of that institution; and that his will was deposited in the iron chest at Somerset House. But that, on Mr Knight's being subsequently elected a trustee of the British Museum, he made another will, and left his valuable collection to the National Gallery, now

erecting on the site of the old garden at Montague House.

We farther heard, that the President, and some other members of our National Academy, on hearing that the British Museum was to be enriched with these choice works, with a liberality and patriotism that cannot be too highly applauded, expressed their pleasure at the change, observing, that in a National Institution so easily ac cessible as the British Museum, they would be much more beneficially be stowed.

By a recent Act of Parliament, it seems that the President of the Royal Academy is henceforth to be enrolled in the list of trustees of the British Museum. Nothing could be more satisfactory to the public, we should presume, than that the representative of the National school of painting should have a voice in the council that is to preside over a National gallery of arts.

The marble bust of the lamented Dr E. D. Clarke, by Chantrey, is now placed in the vestibule of the Univer sity library, Cambridge, among those fine specimens of ancient architecture which that celebrated traveller brought from Greece. The bust bears a more striking resemblance to Dr Clarke in his earlier years, than after his constitution had been impaired by unremit ting application to scientific pursuits. With respect, however, to the exquisite beauty of the sculpture, there can be but one opinion, as it not only equals the other works of Chantrey, but adds one more wreath to the numerous and well-earned laurels of this eminent artist.

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