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Leader (1850-1860), 21st April 1855, Edition 1 of 2, Page 381, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      THE NATIONAL INSTITUTION . Hebe is a gallery of pictures affording the judicious visitor at least two points of view . He may take up safe ground for the exercise of half the function of criticism as defined by Dr . Johnson— " the discovery of faults in the moderns and of beauties in the ancients "—or he may praise heartily , if he be in the simple mind to praise . The exhibition at the Portland Gallery , Langham-place , is , in short , an exhibition so various in merit as to include almost the very extremes of good and bad painting . It is a pleasant bond by which this fraternity of talent is held together . In some respects , too , the plan works well . We should observe that the National Institution of Fine Arts is founded , like the Society of British Artists in Suffolkstreet , and like the two societies of water-colour painters , ' on a proprietary membership . Offerings from without are not slighted ; but the most prominent is to ersofis

      are generally the pictures by regular exhibitors—that say , by jj who are at least as likely to take an interest in the character of the display as to be inconveniently solicitous about getting their own productions into the chief places . The evident advantage is balanced by a loss which is more easily discerned , perhaps , in the catalogue than on the walls of the exhibition . The proprietary members who govern the affairs of the National Institution being painters and not patrons , never catch an R . A ., or so much as an expectant "Associate , " while the British Institution in Pall-Mali , which promotes the Fine Arts in the United Kingdom after a manner peculiarly its own , but which boasts half the peerage as its hereditary governors , has grown to be quite a chapel-of-ease to the Royal Academy . Mr . R . S . "Lxudtsr makes good his title to the leadership at the Portland Gallery . His picture of the " Gow-chrom and Louise" may , on the whole , be pronounced the best subject-picture in the exhibition . In the first place , we have a good repre sentation , characteristic of the two personages , and at once intelligible as a scene . Next , the design is altogether pleasing . If we did not recognise the armourer of Perth we should still have before us a very energetic expression of manhood , pleasant to behold .

      Strangers to "Louise" will see in the trembling glee-maiden as much feminine beauty as will make them curious to know something more about her . Can there be a more decided pictorial success than such a fact implies ? We have more to say in commendation of this work : of its colouring and delicacy of touch , especially . Too frequently as much excellence of intention as Mr . Lattdeb ' s will be frustrated by the mere want of tact like his in the management of fleshtints . Mr . J . Eckfokd Lauder wants not only the skill of his relation in the same particular , but he falls immeasurably behind him in vigour of conception . The faces of his women are all weak and inanimate . He has , however , qualities which ought not to be despised , and among them is the quality of making himself understood . Expression in its highest nature he has not ; but his pictures are expressive in the sense that they tell their story with great clearness and , in matters of leading incident and detail , with some force . We would especially remark that the plant in the foreground of his largest picture , — " Sir Tramtris Teaching La Beale Isonde to Play the Harp "—is painted with exquisite feeling . Its grace almost persuades us into the belief that Mr . -LAtn > ER had a womanly ideal before him when he sketched the slender outline .

      M'Ian ' s _ " Battle of the Stone Ferry "—an incident of the American waris of the unmistakable M'Ian stamp ; firm and clear as any of the well-known impressions of that feudal hand . The story—that of the peasant heroes in Phaser ' s Highland regiment gaining time for the British garrison by a desperate attack on a strong column of the enemy—is nicely fitted to the " tragicalhistorical-pastoral" bent of the artist . As we should expect in a " powerful incident" treated by M'Ian , there is immense labour , not the least bit of which is lost . It is a piece of earnest action ; very natural , and very grim in its confusion of lapelled scarlet coats and powdered hair with a death-harvest , cut down in a heap and trodden under foot . We have named the three most striking works , and certainly the three which will be most generally remembered ; but there are very few persons with any feeling for pure and true art who will pass unobservingly by Miss Howitt ' s imaginative little work , with its quaint , gemlike setting . An exquisite " Missal" might be formed , if every poem of Shelley ' s were illustrated as Miss Howitt illustrates the " Sensitive Plant . " We commend this task to her as a labour of love .

      A little more care" inthe"imitation of -flesh tints would have made-Mr . Burton ' s picture of " William Tell ' s Son" a perfect thing of its kind . In the picture by Mr . Dukks , called " Reading a Chapter , " the want of care is more generally noticeable ; and it is a want that ought to be repaired , as the artist possesses that natural tact for distinguishing small varieties of character which would enable him to surpass Goouall , with half Goodau ' s ingenuity and patience . Among works of the same calibre as this of Mr . Dckes , the most meritorious are those by Pkovis and Passmoke . The two Unj > erhiixs do not improve on acquaintance . The eccentricity of painting in such a manner as to make it appear that the work is done on a blanket , is only endurable as a novelty . Among the landscapes , the most beautiful are by A . Gilbert and G-. A . whole abet of Williamsesntribute works of scarcel

      Williams ; but the alph , co y inferior merit . Mr . Robins has one or two fine water-pieces ; and it is also in marine painting that a versatile artist , Mr . W . Paihiott , seems most successful . Mr . Barrauo serves , as usual , to remind us how Miss Shaupb " smoothes her horrent brow" ( after the decorously agonising example of Dr . Darwin ) at the Water-Colour Gallery . ' In addition , however , to romantic sentimentalism , Mr , Babraud has , for the last few years , been speculating in spiritual sentimentalism ; and has published , with immense success , the Rubrical serios of prints which ended the other day , lot us hope , with the piously responsive title , " Good Lord , deliver us . " We protest heartily against the principle on which painters like Mr . Baksauu are allowed to escape ridicule under the shelter of a devotional subject .

      Untitled Article

      BIRTHS , MARRIAGES , AND DEATHS . BIRTHS . ANSTED . —April 15 , at No . 17 . Mauchostor-stroot , tho wifo of Professor Anstod : a daughter . TAYLOR . —April 14 , at 28 , Portland-placo , tho Lady Charlotto Watson Taylor : twin daughters . MARRIAGES . HAWKES — BAYL 13 Y . —Doc . 1 ft , at St . John ' s Church , Adelaide , Gcorgo Wright , fourth son of Major Hawlcos , to Edith Jano Stewart , only daughter of John Bayloy , Esq ., nqphow of tho lato Sir John Jlayloy , Hart . MUNBTER—ERSKINE — April 17 . at All Saints' Church , Eniilsmoro-plaoo , Knightsbrldgo , tho Earl of Munstor , to Miss Kennedy lirsklno , oldest daughter of tho Lady Augusta Gordon Hal lyburton . DEATHS . BEOHE . —April 13 , Sir Henry Thomas Do la Bccho , O . B , F . R . 8 .. P . G . S ., Oorrpsponding Member of tho Aoademio dos Sciences , &c . BROWNE March 22 , in tho trenches before Sobastopol ,

      whilst gallantly loading a detachment of his rogimont against a sortie of tho cnumy , the lion . Cavendish Browne , Captain Royal Fusiliers , aged twenty-nvo , third sou of Lord Kilmaino . IIUNJjOKE . — April 13 , at hor rosidonco , Twickenham , Mins Hunlokn , only surviving slater of the Dowagor Countess of Alboinarlo , and of tho lato Sir Windsor Ilunloko , Dart ., of Wingorworth , Dorbyshiro . LAIIKE . — March 10 , at Jacmel , Haiti , Joanne , Cathcrino Boholastiquo Louiao Dufrono , tho bolovod wifo of William Larko , 10 sq ., and daughter of tho Duko and Duchess of Tiburon .

      Untitled Article

      ROFAL ITALIAN OPERA . We have elsewhere described the decorations of the theatre on Thursday . The attention of the vast audience was so completely absorbed by the Imperial and Royal dramatis persona , that the republican Beethoven had no chance of a hearing , even with a new prima-donna for his Fidelio . Mademoiselle Jenny Ney comes to us recommended by a considerable reputation in Germany , and by the name of Jenny , which ever since the days of the JDind has possessed a singular fascination for the . British public . Mademoiselle Ney made her debut under ' circumstances most trying , but she appeared nothing daunted , and from first to last performed with ease and self-possession , singing and acting with a perfect mastery of her faculties , and a perfect control over her emotions , in the face of all that brilliant distraction . Mademoiselle Ney apparently enjoys the advantage ( which so many -would gladly forego !) of experience and maturity in her art . Powerfully constructed , and with a decided capacity for boots , with a fair complexion and a very German countenance , she wears a frank and

      pleasing aspect . Her voice , a thoroughly-trained and strong mezzo soprano , is round and rich in the medium notes ; rather rough , it appeared to us , in the lower ; and rather flat in the higher part of the register . She sang the long and difficult scena with sustained dignity and a finely-reserved emotion , and with a purity and correctness of intonation that never failed . We trust it may be said that Mile . Jenny Ney , though not a Joanna Wagner , is a real acquisition to the theatre . Formes was thoroughly at home , and always en scene , in the part of the bluff" but kindly gaoler ; and Tagmafico is always the finished artist . On Thursday , however , he once or twice appeared a little absent , and sang beside the note . It must be confessed that the music ascribed to Pizarro is almost as ungrateful as the part , and seldom repays the most correct singing , so far as the audience is concerned . Tambermk , who was gladly recognised on his prison pallet , was looking a little thinner perhaps , but in capital

      vocal preservation . The large phrasing and the passionate vibrato were welcomed with satisfaction by the regular opera-goers , and he gave the C in [ alt as a sort of emphasis to his European reputation . Mr . Costa ' s orchestra played the two overtures , especially the Leonora , -with even more than the usual spirit , decision , and delicacy . The chorus was neither ineffective nor remarkable . The Prisoners ' chorus went off without a hand : this , however , may perhaps be fairly ascribed to the distraction of the audience rather than to defective execution . Eva , the new divertissement , introduced Madlle . Cerito , who is looking delightfully fresh and vigorous , and who'dances with all the luxurious refinement peculiar to her style . Mr . William Beverley—his mark—was visible in the exquisite scene which served as a framework to the groups . Through a trellis of vine-leaves , reminding us of a description in IiEioa PIdnt ' s Story of Rimini , is seen a purple distance of sea shut in by mountains , which recals for a moment the shores of Spezzia .

      Untitled Article

      At Dkdry Lane the " Royal Opera" season has begun auspiciously , and we trust the fair promise of success may be fulfilled . This will depend on the management . There is . a larger public in London for Italian Opera at playhouse-prices than in any other city in Europe ; and , what is not so generally admitted , a larger musical public , not always-discriminating , but always indulgent . The one great condition of success isj that an Opera at playhouse prices shall be completely unexclusive . Dress regulations are quite proper in Me Opera , which is essentially an aristocratic institution ; but there is an intelligent , respectable , and paying musical democracy in England which can afford to » do everything but " dress" for an evening ' s rational amusement . To this-democracy the Royal Opera" may , we think , appeal with hopefulness . We were glad to observe on Monday evening that , notwithstanding the liberty of costume , the house was filled with a most respectable audience . The opera was the

      everdelightful Sonnamhula , and it was very creditably performed . Indeed , the Amina and the liodolpho were far above the average , and the FJvino was at least agreeable . Madame Gassier , who was a favourite at the Italian Opera in Paris last winter , is a Spanish lady , with a most Castiliun countenance and most Andalusian eyebrows and lashes . She looks all energy and confidence , too short in figure to be graceful , but still engaging and attractive . This is not exactly the picture of Amina : and Madame Gassier , we may say at once , has not the air of an ingfnue . But with a piercing soprano , flexible and powerful to an extraordinary degree ,. and attaining . unheard-of altitudes with perfect nonchalance , she sang the Come per me brilliantly , and with the firiulo" ^/ rn 6 jr ^ ui ^ c " ^ arHetl ' away" ~ tlve house . It is , however , in the Barbicre di Seviglia , in which she is announced to sing on Monday , that she is seen and heard to the best advantage . Monsieur Gassier has a clear , powerful , and smooth barytone voice , which ho manages with excellent taste , and his acting is smart and intelligent .

      We were agreeably disappointed at finding the Signor Bettini not the ' robust tenor' of that name , but a young man apparently new to the stage , raw and awkward in his gestures , destitute of any dramatic pretensions , but gifted with a sweet and facile voice , well taught and judiciously used . It is a voice really pleasing to listen to , and the singer ' s unaffected and unassuming manner secures at once the sympathy of the audience . The minor parts were not so efficiently represented as they might bo without ruining the management . The chorus is painstaking , and the orchestra , ably conducted by Mr . J . H . Tully , and composed , in a great measure of refugees from the despotism of Mr . Schallen , the Louis Napoleon of tho Crystal Palace Band , plays with steadiness and spirit . The present management of Dkuiiv Lank announces , wo observe , the engagement of a French troupe from the Gaitk theatre in Paris , for the performance of Lcs Cosaques , an anti-Russian drama , which had an immense run while the war was in its prime . We have no great sympathy for this bluster , but as a spectacle , and as a curious dramatic ensemble , Les Cosaques will doubtless be bund a powerful diversion in the new operatic campaign at Dkuky Lane .

      Untitled Article

      FROM THE LONDON GAZETTE . ' Ihiesday , April 17 . BANKRUPTCY ANNULLED . —Bodkam Buti . tjr "VVib-KEK ,, CaHtIo-Btroot . Holborn , tailor . BANKRUPTS . —Thomas Bijr , i , iNa , Cambridge , coopor—Benjamin Nmwton , Brighton , brutrti manufacturer—tyu ,-liiAM Hollakay and Jaj > ies CiiBMiTSON , WntHng-stroot , warohousomen—WilTjIAM Listeh , Groat Quoon-stroot , Lincoln ' s-lrm-Aolds , jowol coao-mokor—Maxijiisw

      Richmond Stkei / e , Loiccstor , linendrapor—Reinfhlu ' Buicir-I . OSKR , Rod Lion-street , Holborn , tailor—Roueiw ; Wiiedijs Bennjctt , "Weslbromich , brower— Waltkk and Joski'U Horton , Wodnesbury , timber merchants—Cuaiixgh and Fuancis PEVEitEi . r . E , Birmingham , hardware dealers—John Wuijueu , Birmingham , grocor-JoiiN Hoi'Kinson , Nottingham , grocor-JUniel Sims . Old Furnace Bottom , Gloucestershire , wirodrawer — Fjikdemicic Twai-njsi . l , Bristol , timber merchant -DANiisr . Bewwktt , juii ., Bristol , innkoopor-James Knowi . ks , Prostolgn . Radnorshire , innkcopor-CU ; oitOK Hawkh , Pobruin , Cornwall , donlor in hardware-Huan Tamjot and Hvau Fopham Tai-uot , Sidmouth , Jievo . iHhiro , drugglsts-WiLUAM Henry Hayward Dovonnort , tallow chandler -Charles Bvanb , Bradford Yorkshire . stuff merchant— Wji-j . iam . Aai'DiN and AuausTUH WiJ'MAM Oiu > , GatoNlioad-on-Ty « o , cement '" ecmVlJI ' s 7 iQUKSTltATIONS . -H . BujmESS . Mont .-ose , baker -A . Reip , Glasgow , grocer—T . Duncan , Cores , I'ifo-Hhir 0 " Friday , April 20 . BANKRUPTCY ANNULLED . —llENBY 1 ' HU . UPS , Bothnal Grcon-rond , corn dealer .

      Untitled Article

      A pbii 21 , 1855 . ] T H E L , E A P E R . _ 381

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), April 21, 1855, page 381, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2087/page/21/