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Leader (1850-1860), 9th April 1859, Edition 2 of 2, Page 22

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      From Liis Bargain. As The Painter In Que...

      pletes the likeness of this work to an old picture cleaned and restored— " in this style at so much . " Nature is sacrificed to art , harmony to harsh oppo-r sitions , and even the text has been departed from ; for the Daiilah is placed so close to Samson that did he "but " suit the action to the word" he could hardly miss knocking her down . If it be true that " there is but one school of art , and that is kept by Nature , " we fear Mr . Leighton has played truant all too long . Mr . Hurlstone has made a great advance upon , his usual historic efforts in the illustration to" Othello . " It is , as a whole , fine in conception , and , though something coarse in handling , is , for the most part , rich , harmonious , and even poetical in colour : of

      this the crimson and purple gleams through the chain-mail , and the blue an the breastplate , may be cited as instances . The Othello is a noble rendering of Shakespeare ' s Moor ; and Iago ' s head , peeping through the curtain , is very striking . The Desdetnona—the ardent though pure ; the well-principled though weak and depending—of a natural but not common character , not easily mirrored in a studied face—is . less satisfactory , and lacks refinement . The picture is probably unfinished , unless we are to interpret the inscription , ^' Haud fecit fa ciebat , 1859 , "

      as a deprecatory admission that the pencil of the artist has , in his own opinion , lost its olden vigour . * The " Hamlet " . picture ( 53 ) , by the same hand , is less to our taste . The Ghost is a grand figure , but its colossal , stbny form does not agree with our notion of the murdered king . Mr . A . P . Patten ' s scene from " The Sleeper Awakened " ( 450 ) is a very clever piece of painting . The expression of Abon Hassan is good ; some of the dresses and decorations marvellous , and the imitation of gold so . true that Mr . Patten might almost have painted his frame without fear of detection . INSTITUTION OP FISTE AETS , PORTLAND GALLERY . [ Second J ^ otice . i Before we leave the first room at the Portland , we must mark the " Sunday Morning" ( 309 )* of Alfred Provis i on the third screen , and " Out of Town" ( 2 . 62 ) , hy J . B . Burgess , on the second . The former is a xnere morsel , splendidly lit up , and sparkling with all the usual beauties of the popular artist . It depicts an . old man reading his Bible to a little child who sits at his feet . The latter is a pleasing combination of excellence ) in portrait and landscape . Its subject , " Out . of Town , " playfully treats an episode in a

      Money Goes" is a painting of the Chinese school , that will raise many a laugh and many a grunt . All the sterescopes in the -world could not more vividly bring a scene before one , than does this little picture by Mr . Hallyar , of a baby on a hobby horse revelling among the accessories of a most complete outfit of playthings . Gloomy , and grand , and dirty as ever , are Mr . It . S ; Sanders' " Ben Bladach" ( 397 ) , and " Head of Loch Long ( 364 ) . Get far enough away from them , reader ; you may then know how well this painter understands and renders the ferocity of the mountain landscape . There are still some works of mark on which we shall have a few words to say in a future number ; but for the present we must quit the Portland for other scenes .

      In 555 , a quaint little picture by Bowles , the expression of the little girl and the white light of summer sunshine are well represented . " Night " ( 507 ) , by J . Ei Collins , a female half-length , shows some good flesh painting . Mr . J . G . Naish ' s "Xe Creux Harbour , Sark , " is a picture which insists upon observation . It will hardly be appreciated by persons unacquainted with the green water and peculiar rocks of the " Channel Islands , but none can deny that it displays great power of drawing and strength of colour , with an elaboration of detail that speaks loudly for its truthfulness . In short it must be believed in , and improves wonderfully on acquaintance . : THE HAVELOCK TESTIMONIAL AT STJXDERLAXD .

      The committee for the colossal statue to the late lamented Havelock have selected the competitive model JNo . 22 . Although by Mr . Behnes , the same sculptor who was selected to ereet the colossal statue in Trafalgar-square—now in progress— -the model chosen is not the same as that selected by the London committee , the position being varied . The marble bust of the late General , now in the council-chamber , Guildhall , is also by the same excellent and , as it would appear , popular artist . .

      country trip of a pair who may be father and daughter , or a married couple of most disproportionate age . On the mossy moorland turf , a silk handkerchief over his head , slumbers in the sun a paterfamilias-looking old gentleman , whose fair round person and honest features are redolent of capital and good humour . Near him , seated on a boulder , with a pair of expressive eyes turned upon the hill side ; she "is sketching , is his fair travelling companion . Both figures are very nicely drawn , their countenances are very well painted , and the fell background is successful .. ¦ ¦ . . ' .

      In the second room Mr . F . Smallfield has disappointed us with his " Early Lovers" ( 319 ) . A stout lubberly ill-proportioned youth , and as unpromising a maiden , in confabulation at a stile , are the lovers , and the drawing and colour are about as crude as the pair . That Mr . Smallfield ' s tender pinions should have failed to bear him , just at present , on a very amhitious'flight , is'riot surprising , but the day is not very distant when we are fain to believe they will serve him . His « Popular Song " ( 878 ) , a tiny canvas , showing a funny little maid-ofali-woi'k engrossed in sweet fprgetfulness of her normal sorrows and hardships , on getting up some such ditty as " Barbara Allen" or " Old i ) og Tray , " will please all who will be at the pains

      to seek it whore it nestles in . a corner among more extensive and pretentious worlds . Not far from "The Early Lovers" is a large and High-priced work , " The Last of an Old Comrade " ( 326 ) , whose , painter might , we should think , have s ^ pont skill and time to greater advantage upon a less hacknied subject than a grave-yard gathering . Hard by is a large landscape " Seoveyholme Leaps'' ( 283 ) , fe y Mr . Peel , who , abandoning the refreshing green ot his last year ' s pictorial crop , has resumed the brown and orange hues he had then for a while laid aside . Mr . Provis shows no falling off as he becomes fashionable and , wo presume , richer . His

      « Cottage Door" ( 392 ) Is worthy of rank with his best . Mr . Wood , whose Frenoh street scenes wo so often see at exhibitions , though so' seldom " fbr sale , " must look to his laurels ; for Mr . J . 1 ) . Barnot , who paints a " Scene at Dieppe" ( 342 ) , and some « Old Houses at Viro" ( , 454 ) , is behind him , , and , though not quite at his heels , is gaining grouml . The ¦ " Professor " ( 354 ) , a joljy medlooval man-cook , lording it in a baronial crypt , over his kitchen handmaid and his marmitan , la a first-rate specimen of Mr . D . Pasmore ' s clover ink outlines filled In with colour . As clover in their way , and illegitimate as attractive arc his " Course of True Love" ( a / 57 ) , and " Boadsiae Toilet" ( 205 ) . « That's tho Way tho

      470 The Leader. [No> 472, April 9, 1859.

      470 THE LEADER . [ No > 472 , April 9 , 1859 .

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      Iiaymarket Theatre. Our Brethren Of The ...

      IIAYMARKET THEATRE . Our brethren of the daily press seem divided about the originality of ilr . Stirling Coyne ' s piece , " Everybody ' s Friend , " which was produced here this day week . That it was successful is admitted by all . That it is good is denied by those only who , thirsting after " new characters , " would not object to or detect such impossible combinations as a dramatic engineer of Mr . Coyne ' s experience and tact would , never think of offering to the public . For ourselves , though not over much addicted to broad grins , we found occasion for a few in the course of the three acts . Our neighbours of the pit and gallery , who care no more for aesthetics than they do for JEschylus , and don't and won't go to plays to be taught ( if they know it ) , applauded to a man , woman , and child ,- the insidiously disguised morality , the numerous and strange , yet easy working cranks in the plot , and the very neat and telling dialogue of the ingenious author .

      But by the strong help of Mr . Buckstone , Mr . Conrn ton , and Miss Eeynolds , the shortcomings above alluded to were amply compensated for . The lessee was ludicrous in the extreme as a vain , cowardlv militia popinjay , Major Wellington de Boots Mr Compton was himself as the diffident Icebrook and Miss Reynolds brought the aid of her excellent ' taste in dress and her ladylike mariner to aid her excellent intelligence in completing an adequate impersonation Of the author ' s Mrs . Swansdown . The comedy in short , is very good for times when everybody is very clever and has a good memory — Coniedy having been hard at work since the days of Terence at themines of " character , " and true novelty being as rare as really new sensation . The pit said so , and the gallery said so , too . The boxes have pronounced by this time in favour . The quidnuncs will wait a month , by Avhich time another " new and original " work in the comedy line will have appeared , to keep the embers of their spleen alive for the summer season . MONDAY FOrtTLAll CONCERTS . The new series maintains its well-deserved popularity . The eighth concert , on Monday evening , was extremely well attended , and the miscellaneous audience throughout evinced a thorough appreciation of the classic music of Handel and Bach , admirably executed . Bach's " Prelude , Sarabande , and Gavotte , " by Signor Piatti and M . Benedict , met with an enthusiastic encore . Miss Arabella Goddard , in her Suite de Pieces , concluding -with the " Harmonious Blacksmith , " was also encored . The lady appeared , at first , reluctant to yield to the wishes of the audience , but afterwards complied , and received a universal and hearty tribute of applause . Among the vocalists , Miss Dolby deserves especial mention for her chaste and beautiful delivery of Handel's fine air , " Cangio d'Aspetto , " from the opera of " Admetus . "

      -.. ¦ * ¦ LECTURES BY MADAME I . OLA . . M . ONTEZ-. This celebrated lady , noted alike for her personal as for her political powers , has arrived in London , after lecturing in Dublin and elsewhere on the characteristics of the Americans and the English , and gave the first of a series of four leetur & s , at St . James ' s Hall , on Thursday evening . We need hardly say that , though now styling herself Madame Lola Montez , she is Countess of Landsfeld , and that her quiet manners and appearance correspond with her rank . Her figure is slender and graceful , and her features are small , delicate , and feminine . Her eyes are remarkably brilliant , and the expression of her mouth , though it betoken ? energy of character , is not deficient cither in suavity or refinement . She has a sweet , flexible voice , which she manages with great discretion , and her delivery is graceful and impressive . There is considerable cleverness : in her lecture ; and she manifested a woman ' s acumen in the detection of character by the observation of numerous small characteristics . Though severe on the manners and principles now in vogue in the United States , she yet sees in the people the germs of the mightiest of nations , when they have passed out of their present gawhy state , which may be compared to the transitional condition of boyhood to manhood . The lecture was listened to with marked attention ; the applause at the conclusion wushoarty and universal ; and Madaino Montez was recalled to receive a second round of approbation .

      The wellr-seasoned moral , that the pleasure of married life is to be sought and , if necessary , cultivated at the hearth—not abroad—Mr . Coyne has illustrated by the troubles that fall upon a certain vivacious Mr . Featherley- ( Mr . Charles Mathews ) , who , borqd by a twelvemonth of matrimony , busies himself , as it would seem , for mere distraction ' s sake , in doing those most out-of-the-way services for other people which the bachelor Achates , or enjant de la maison , thinks nothing of undertaking , but which might well lead to inconvenience when performed by married men . A friend of Feather ley ' s , one Mr . Icebrook ( Mr . Compton ) , is too retiring to woo for himself .- —Featfterley plays suitor for him . A lady friend has alittloboy by a former marriage to quarter upon

      a second husband without raising suspicion . —Featherley attempts it . But in both these intrigues , and a number of cross and counter-cross plots , which it would take us throe columns to unravel successfully , he alarms his young wife ( Mrs . C . Mathews ) , exposes himself , and has finally to bo " ltareyfled" into seeing his evil ways , a turning over a new loaf , aud learning the true secrets of domostic felicity by tho faut'ination of his better-half aforesaid , under tho counsel of their friend , Mrs , Swandown ( Miss Reynolds ) , a gay widow , who , having herself had some experience , of course

      gives tho benefit of it to others with tho groutost of pleasure . / . Though Mr . Coyne most likely measured tho Haymarket troupe for this comedy , and i « a most renowned hand at cutting dramatic coats according to histrionic cloth , we cannot way that Mr . and Mrs . Charloe Mathews aro over and above woll fitted . The , former , having boon long a favourite , will always , barring accidents or grave Una nuijcut / j , have a public of his own , In splto oi ' uapeloss study , u weak part , or a bad make up . Tho lady , again , who would do for the aoubratto line of business , in not sulliciently at oaso In gen-tool comedy for a Haymarkot audionco .

      Indian Mutiny Relieit Fund.-—Tho Committ...

      Indian Mutiny Relieit Fund .- —Tho Committee have issued their second annual statement , it snow s that the total amount of subscriptions raisod , witn interest and premium is 442 , 47 ( 5 / ., that is to say , a handsome sum which looks like half a million sterling , Upwards of 40 , 000 * . has been given to sufferers in Groat Britain . . Makinjqrs' Oomtass for Inow Sinre .-An important invention , by Mr . John Gray , ot Liverpool , has lately excited the attention of the principal European Governments . By Mr . Grays pnnwple the slightest deflection of the needle 111 the compass of iron ships is immediately rectified . All eriors caused by the heeling of tho shin , as well as us horizontal deviation , are corrected ; mid experience has shown that in the circle of 300 degrees there has boon only ono degree and a fraction . of error--a fact roportod to the Lords of tho Admiralty by the officers of the Crown appointed to in ^ ffgjj the system . It has been introduced into tho BriUsu Royal Navy on the expross recommendation 01 tiw Astronomer-Royal , Mr . Airoy . Tho ltusBlan Oo vornmont have adopted it in thoir navy s and . mt « Gray recently met , at Bordeaux , a commit on coin posod of French officers , spoclally appointed to report upon it . Mr . Gray has ainao recolwU « g order from the French Minister of Marino or liu compasses Wo mention those facts In tho taforow of science , fov , some years back , it was ftmreJ ttms tho osolllatlons of the noodlo on board ol ij ° ft steamers would prove fatal to tho uso ot Uon as material in shipbuilding .

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), April 9, 1859, page 22, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_09041859/page/22/