destroy a class of works, which, it may be confidently affirmed, has been of essential benefit to British artists. As, however, many of their most distinguished patrons have expressed their determination to resist the claim thus assumed over the pictures in their several collections, the ultimate interests, if not the dignity, of modern art appear likely to be compromised, should the demand be any longer persisted in. Having thus stated the case with the temper and moderation with which questions of this kind ought always to be discussed, the Editor will now turn to the more agreeable task of acknowledging his obligations to those individuals to whom he stands indebted for the loan of several of the paintings engraved for the present volume. For the portrait of Viscountess Belgrave, he is indebted to the kindness of the Marquis of Stafford. The splendid picture of Jacob's Dream, is from the collection of the Earl of Egremont, of whose magnificent gallery at Petworth it forms one of the most striking and appropriate ornaments. The Portrait of Mrs. Siddons, in the character of Lady Macbeth, one of the finest productions of the pencil of the lamented G. H. Harlowe, is from the collection of the late W. Leader, Esq., of Putney Hill. As a slight engraving from a chalk drawing by Harlowe, of Mrs. Siddons in a different scene of the tragedy, has already been published, it may be proper, to prevent the two prints from being confounded, to mention that the picture from which the frontispiece to this volume has been copied, is an oil-painting, the size of life, and has never before been engraved. The Brigands' Cave, the principal figure in which is an actual portrait of the wife of a celebrated brigand of Sonnini, was obligingly lent me by the proprietor, T. Erskine, Esq. The pictures from which the remaining engravings have been executed, were all (with one exception) purchased expressly for the work; at a cost as large as that of the whole series of engravings. The literary contents of the following pages, will be found to comprise a variety of contributions from pens not hitherto engaged in publications of this description; but although the Editor is enabled to boast of the avowed assistance of a great number of the most distinguished writers of the day, he has continued to be influenced, less by the importance of the name, than the intrinsic merit of the production. The fallacy of endeavouring to produce an impression upon the public mind, by means of mere titles (whether of literary or fashionable notoriety), has been made sufficiently manifest to deprive it of even its mercantile utility for the future. It is, perhaps, scarcely necessary to offer an apology for having affixed Lord Byron's exquisite address to Ianthe, to the "Childe Harold and Ianthe" of Mr. Westall. The Editor regrets that he is restrained by feelings of delicacy towards the living, from mentioning circumstances connected with the history of this illustration, which would have greatly enhanced its interest to the public. It may, however, be permitted to him to state, that a picture of Lord Byron and the young lady to whom Childe Harold was inscribed, was commenced by Mr. Westall during his Lordship's lifetime; although, in consequence of the interference of the lady's family, it has never been completed. 58, Torrington Square, Sept. 25, 1829. CONTENTS. The Love-Draught. A Tale of the Barrow's-Side. By the Author of "High-ways and By-ways" Epigram. By Sir Aubrey de Vere, Bart. Lines, suggested by a Portrait by C. R. Leslie, R. A. By William Read, Esq. 73 |