their depth was greater. His strength and] When the passions and affections of the soul are to be delineated, we can neither quote the Low Countries nor Holland, but express the belief that the sentiment does exist in this country, and only requires to be awakened, schooled, and cultivated. If to that be added that his pencilling was full and mellow, the handling free and decided beyond any other painter, the gradations true, and so positive that they seem never to have been gone over twice, and every touch the result of a definite intention, it will be admitted that he might have entered the list with the greatest artists, and that, if in the highest department he would not have carried off the palm, in the practical part he was unrival led. The taste of the English people is not favorable to the highest walks of art, not from a want of mental capacity to appreciate them, but because they have had few opportunities of contemplating them. Since our National Gallery has been opened to the people, it has been an object of attraction on every day considered by them as a holyday. Even the generality of the upper Thus Rubens is a fine example of a great classes admire more pictures distinguished painter, not æsthetical in his practice of the for high finishing and homely subjects, or art, but essentially so in his theoretical ex-landscapes, than those manifesting the esopressions of it. His friend Franciscus terical feeling (for the object of the art) and Junius dedicated to him his work, written the aesthetical sentiment displayed. Let us in Latin, on ancient art, and inculcates not suppose that this nation is the only one throughout æsthetical considerations. which has shown a deficiency in appreciating The explanation of the incongruity can the highest efforts of artists. The ancients only be explained by supposing that Ru- were as bad. Pliny (lib. xxxv. cap. 10) tells us bens understood the doctrine when he read that Pyreicus was celebrated for his excelit, but was so constituted as never to have lency in artistical dexterity, and painted felt it. Not so Raffaelle, he understood it barbers, cobblers' shops, asses, provender, profoundly, and practically carried it to the both for men and animals, and what we term highest perfection hitherto attained. Vol-objects of still life, and consequently had terra, Domenichino, Guido, Gherlandaio, given to him the sobriquet of RhyparoCorreggio, Sebastianus Venetus del Piom- graphus, and that those works were so adbo, and numbers more, manifested the mired and coveted that they sold better sense of the aesthetical. They were Ital- than the finest pictures of the greatest ians. Murillo in Spain, Le Sueur, Juvenet, masters. and a few more in a minor degree in France, have proved their possession of it. Franciscus Junius. • «Pictures which are judged sweeter than any picture, pictures surpassing the apprehension and art of man, workes that are sayd to be done by an unspeakable of art, delicately, divinely, unfeisably, insinuate nothing els but that there is something in them which doth not proceed from the laborious curiostie prescribed by the rules of art, and that the free spirit of the artificer, marking how Nature sporteth herself in such aninfinite varietie of things, undertooke to do the same."-P. 331. Ed. 1638, "Having now seene alreadie wherein the chiefe comelinesse of grace doth consist, and how by a glorious conquest it doth sweetly enthrall and captivate the hearts of men with the lovely chaines of due admiration and amazement; having likewise considered by the way that this grace hath no greater enemy than affectation; it is left only that we should examine by what means it may be obtained, although we dare not presume to give any precepts of it; which, in the opinion of Tully and Quintilian, is altogether impossible, since it is certaine that this grace is not a perfection of art proceeding merely from art, but rather a perfection proceeding from a consummate art, as it busieth itself about things that are suitable to our nature. So must, then, art and nature concur to the constitution of this grace. A perfect art must be wisely applied to what we are most given to by nature." -P. 333. The only stimulus ever given by the nation to call into action the talent of our board of commissioners. We look in vain artists is now offered to them through a for one living historical painter whose works command sufficient confidence in his mental and practical powers to commence the work-to regenerate the degraded arts of England. Excellence in the art requires not only superior intelligence, but a great development of peculiar faculties, borne on by a deep sense and feeling for the ends to be produced by the successful manifestation of the powers bestowed by Providence. A high sense of the value of truth in all representations; to that must be added an education embracing, at least, a correct and current knowledge of several arts and sciences, and that historical knowledge which, in addition to mere facts, superadds an apprehension of the feelings, manners, costume, bearing, and mental state of periods and persons. If Longinus be right, and we think he is, the mind of a great artist must be cast in the mould of true magnificence, or it cannot even conceive the sublime or the beautiful; and unless its habitual conduct be noble and elevated, never can it delineate the truly æsthetical. sinking should not be promoted, and Wyon called on to give proofs for a stupendous work which should place his name beyond Our artists have a prospect before them Hedlinger, the Hamerini and Andrieu; he only paralleled by the Vatican. The scope has given such consummate proofs of taste offered to them is coequal with the highest and talent as to leave no fear of failure, but aspirations. The history, the poetry, the excite the highest confidence of success. deeds of a mighty nation ranging through There may be other native artists in that a thousand years. This is encouraging, line who only require encouragement to and promoting the fine arts; this is an come forward. The proposal to delineate attempt worthy of England to commemorate on fresco is a daring one. Is it the best the blessings bestowed on her by an over- medium on which to fulfil the great objects ruling Providence, to recall the incidents to of art? Is it capable of permitting the the memories of generations yet unborn, to completion of all the science which a great stimulate them to keep for ever burning the pictorial representation ought to embrace? flame of their country's glory by adding A calm examination of the frescoes now their own acts as inexhaustible fuel. These extant should be made by judicious persons, mementos are within the walls of the senate- accompanied by artists of acknowledged house, and must act, except on the basest information, and a report sent in to the minds, as continual monitors. The progress commissioners of the state of them as to and completion of the work must tend to durableness, color, the degree of perfection raise the standard of national taste, if those to which the scientific details have been to whom the superintendence is intrusted able to be carried, and the manner in which keep only one object in view, the esoterical, they effect their intended objects. Our aesthetical, and practical manifestations of climate, the nature and degree of light, and art. It may be a question, if the subjects other local matters, require much considershould be left to the choice of artists. Allation, and demand the attention of the artist the events of importance cannot be delin- when considering the disposition of his eated; those which constitute the axes on work. which the greatest steps to civilization have turned should undoubtedly be selected, and with them clear expositions of their political and moral meaning, so that the artist may have the real sense and prospective connexion of the subject. No allegory should be permitted, as militating against the majesty of truth. The selection of the subjects would require deep historical information, combined with a knowledge of art; so that events impossible to delineate may not be attempted. The deliberation of the commissioners ought to decide those points. In the selection of the poetical subjects the severest morality should be upheld, and a pure and even holy meaning should irradiate every subject. Fresco-painting was adopted in Italy on account of the comparative cheapness, and not because it was the best substance on which to work. All the frescoes in Italy are either faded or perished. Those in damp situations are virtually obliterated, particularly at Mantua and Venice. The Cupid and Psyche, by Raffaelle, in a palace near the Tiber, is evanescing. The frescoes by Paolo Veronese, called the Vandremini, were sold in London for a few pounds each, being nearly colorless. These facts lead to the belief, that this climate and the contiguity of the Thames is not adapted to the use of fresco-painting. Should some of the works be in fresco and some in oil, we suggest that thick panels of oak, well saturated in a solution of sulphate of copper, and united with Jeffry's marine glue, should be used, as they would, in all probability, endure as long as the building, and when thus prepared no insect would touch them. The eucalyptus of Australia might afford the largest panels, and when prepared be even more imperishable than the oak. Canvass, first prepared by immersion in the solution, and then coated on the back with the marine glue, might make an imperish Sculpture has advanced in England far before the sister art. Henry Baily yet survives, and by the fostering hand of his country may have some reparation made him for the harvest of sorrows entailed on him by the cold and heartless indifferentism of those who delayed his remuneration, for the sculptures intended for the royal palace. Hereafter he will be styled the Praxiteles of England. There are others following in the same class whose works would mark the state of sculpture, and not dishonor the noble building intended to be deco-able surface. We offer these observations rated. with much diffidence, but with the feeling We see no reason why the art of die. of a duty, since they may prove useful, or lead to more mature suggestions.* Before we close these remarks, we would fain observe, that the artists who are selected to enter the lists of fame have a high and arduous struggle. Now the minds of men so occupied ought to be relieved as much as possible from correding anxiety, the unfailing attendant on deficiency of worldly means. Our artists and authors are not celebrated for their wealth; there ought, therefore, to be agreements by which each artist should receive stipulated portions of his remuneration in accordance with the state of the work; the periodical payments to be one-third short of the whole amount, which last third should not be paid until the completion. "THE LITTLE RED ROSE." FROM GOETHE. A BOY caught sight of a rose in a bower- Among the boughs; O! the rose was bright The wild boy shouted-"I'll pluck thee, rose, MEXICO AND THE GREAT WESTERN From the Edinburgh Review. 1. Life in Mexico during a Residence of Two Years in that Country. By MADAME CALDERON DE LA BARCA. 8vo. London: 1813. 2. Travels in the Great Western Prairies, the Anahuac and Rocky Mountains, and in the Oregon Territory. By THOMAS J. FARNHAM. 2 vols. 8vo. London: 1843. MADAME CALDERON DE LA BARCA, the authoress of the very entertaining volume first mentioned above, is, as we are informed, a Scottish lady, bred in New England, and married to a Spaniard, with whom she was domiciled for two years as Ambassadress in Mexico-a curious combination of personal accidents-nor would it be easy to conceive any more favorable, as regards shrewdness, situation, and opportunities, for bringing us acquainted with the fashions of social life in that secluded part of the world. Her book has all the natural liveliness, and tact, and readiness of remark, which are sure to distinguish the first production of a clever woman; while she has really much to tell, and the stores of some years of quiet accumulation to unfold. Would we could say that these delicate qualities survived the first contact with the public in one case in a hundred! Never was traveller better qualified for such a task in such a country, as far as physical resources, courage, and curiosity could go. Her feats of personal strength fill us with amazement. Morning visits and balls all night-rides on horseback and muleback, in straw-hat and reboso, Mexican fashion, of fourteen leagues a-dayjourneys for a week together by diligence, with a running accompaniment of robbers -rattling at full gallop for days and nights, over dikes and ditches, through roaring streams, and over savage barrancas, in Charles the Tenth's old coach, borrowed by the Ambassador of a native who bought it a bargain from some speculating Frenchman-exploring caves, waterfalls, and mountains, in the intervals, and joining in every sort of dissipation which a Mexi can season will furnish,-all this seems the lady's very element, and gone through with a hearty, honest good-will, which makes Both Jeffry's marine glue and Margary's solu- the reader long to have been of her party. tion are patents; but as both have been tested to the Her curiosity is as prodigious as her powers utmost by the Admiralty, and are consequently be-of endurance. fore the public, we may be excused the liberty we The slightest peep of a have taken in suggesting so novel an adaptation of "lion" is enough to place her on thorns them in conjunction. until she has fairly hunted him down. Not Among the boughs;" but the little rose spoke"I'll prick thee, and that will prove no joke; Unhurt, O then will I mock thy woes, Whilst thou thy folly art chiding." Little rose, little rose, little red rose, Among the bushes hiding! But the rude boy laid his hands on the flower, Among the boughs; O, the rose was caught, rose, J. B. THE PRINCE OF WALES.-A rumor is current that the Rev. Samuel Wilberforce, Archdeacon of Surrey, has been chosen by her Majesty to superintend the early studies of the Heir Apparent. We need scarcely state, that although such an appointment is highly probable, and would be regarded with general satisfaction, there exists no foundation for the announcement of its having been already made. a procession within her reach, in this procession-loving country-from the most grotesque, religious farce, enacted in some village near Mexico, up to the grand Holy Thursday of the capital, which she does not delight in seeing out from beginning to end. On the latter occasion she seems to have visited half the churches in the city to see the illuminations, and knelt before every altar in each, until, at length, "our feet," says she, "seemed to move mechanically, and we dropped on our knees before each altar, like machines touched by a spring." The news of a nun about to take the veil never fails to draw her out; and the more painfully exciting the ceremony, the more eager her desire to catch a glimpse of the next victim. Convents, prisons, schools, theatres, mines, factories, nothing that can be "seen," in traveller's phrase, is too dull or too old, too quiet or too public for her. When she has nothing else to do, she can visit, again and again, the few ruinous old public buildings which form the stock sights of foreign street-loungers in Mexico. But any thing like a funcion, as the Spaniards call it, is irresistible. She goes with equal delight to gambling fêtes, cock-fights, and bull-fights, to moralize, and have a peep at the dresses. As to the last, indeed, her confession is of the frankest:-"Though at first I covered my face, and could not look, little by little I grew so much interested in the scene that I could not take my eyes off it, and I can easily understand the pleasure taken in these barbarous diversions by those accustomed to them from childhood." believe. A more genuine book, in air as well as reality, it would be difficult to find. True, there is a love of romance about her, which runs into the superlative on most occasions; and probably her best stories, and finest descriptions, are precisely those which require the greatest allowances on the part of the sober-minded reader; but never yet were travels worth reading, the author of which had not some propensity towards the exercise of the traveller's privilege. We must confess, for our own parts, to a great predisposition to what may be called romance, in all matters that relate to this strange portion of the earth-rich in the wonders of nature, and with a history unlike all others. All which attracts and astonishes in other regions, seems combined in one grand theatre in the Mexican isthmus. Humboldt, the most imaginative of travellers, was the first who caught the peculiar enchantment of the place, and tinged his descriptions with the coloring of his own enthusiastic turn for recondite speculations, historical and scientific. Scarcely a day's journey can be taken without some striking change, such as in other parts of the world one must traverse oceans to experience. There are the high table-lands, with a sky ever pure, bright, and keen, almost to the extreme, and "so blue as almost to dazzle the eyes even in the moonlight"-abounding in every production of European industry, strangely mingled with some of the hardier forms of tropical vegetation; a land where every deserted garden is overrun with fruit-trees and flowers, imNor are we at last at all surprised in hav- ported by the Spaniards in other days, and ing to accompany her, admission having now mingling with the weeds of the soil. been procured "by certain means, private You travel a few hours, ascend and debut powerful," to the desugravios or nightly scend over a rugged chain clad with pine penance in the church of Saint Augustin- and oak, and embellished with "crosses" a grand disciplining match in the dark, per- to denote the blood that has been shed in formed by a hundred and fifty gentlemen its solitudes; or across a tract of glassy penitents; concluding the evening's enter-glades, a natural park, with clumps of trees, tainments at "the house of the minis- in which the deer dwell unmolested; or a ter, where there was a reunion, and where black burnt field of ferruginous lava; and I found the company comfortably engaged in eating a very famous kind of German salad, composed of herrings, smoked salmon, cold potatoes, and apples, and drink. ing hot punch." The vividness of this clever writer's coloring has brought her, we find, under the suspicions of those sapient critics who make a point of disbelieving wonderful stories about countries of which they know nothing. Some have gone so far as to pronounce her work altogether an article of fictitious manufacture-Paris-made, we find yourself in some rich valley, amidst chirimoyas, bananas, and granadillas, the fields smiling with magnificent crops of sugar and coffee-you are in the temperate zone, "tierra templada." Another step, and you are in an Arabian desert-a level region of sand and palm groves. You rise again, and are speedily amongst the clouds, in the vast mother-chain of porphyry and trachite, the "sierra madre" which intersects the land; miners' huts, villages, and cities, perched on the mountain sides, amidst ravines and waterfalls, or embo somed in leagues on leagues of waving pine red ruby, would perch upon the trees. We forests, pulled boquets of orange-blossom, jasmine, lilies, dark-red roses, and lemon leaves, and wished "That fluctuate when the storms of Eldorado we could have transported them to you, to those sound;" while everywhere, for hundreds of miles, the snowy cones of the three great volcanoes, shining at sunset above the violet, gold, and purple tints which color the lower ridges, seem as the landmarks of all the choicest and most beautiful districts: for if you wish to live in the Indies, says the Spanish proverb, let it be in sight of the volcanoes: "Si a morar en Indias quieres, Que sea donde los volcanos veyres." lands where winter is now wrapping the world in his white winding-sheet. "The gardener or coffee-planter--such a gardener !-Don Juan by name, with an immense black beard, Mexican hat, and military sash of crimson silk, came to offer us some orangeade; and having sent to the house for sugar and tumblers, pulled the oranges from the trees, and drew the water from a clear tank overshadowed had been iced. There certainly is no tree more by blossoming branches, and cold as though it beautiful than the orange, with its golden fruit, shining green leaves, and lovely white blossom with so delicious a fragrance. We felt this morning as if Atlacamulco was an earthly paradise. But when the moon rose se Over all this variegated country are scattered the remnants of an ancient and mys. renely and without a cloud, and a soft breeze, terious civilization, together with the fast fragrant with orange-blossom, blew gently over the trees, I felt as if we could have rode on for decaying monuments of a second. The ever, without fatigue, and in a state of the most massive churches, convents, and palaces perfect enjoyment. It was hard to say whether of the Spanish conquerors are crumbling the first soft breath of morning, or the languishaway, and bid fair, in a few years, to forming and yet more fragrant airs of evening, are a recent stratum of historical ruins: while more enchanting."—(p. 245-251.) the phantoms of the silent, grave-eyed princes of the soil, and those of the longdescended Dons who succeeded them, are vanishing alike into the dominions of the past; and the countrymen of Montezuma are not more reduced to the condition of subjects and strangers in their own land than those of Cortes "The Alexander of the Western zone, Madame Calderon has not only a very proper tourist's enthusiasm for the picturesque, but, what is much better, that intense, real enjoyment of natural beauty, and rural sights and sounds, which is so often found strongest in those who enter with the greatest spirit into the enjoyments of city life. She finds amusement in the quietest orchards and coffee plantations, no less than in the dullest of Mexican tertulias. "This morning, after a refreshing sleep, we rose and dressed at eight o'clock-late hours for tierra caliente-and then went out to the coffee plantation and orange walk. Any thing so lovely! The orange trees were covered with their golden fruit and fragrant blossom; the forest-trees, bending over, formed a natural arch, which the sun could not pierce. We laid ourselves down on the soft grass, contrasting this day with the preceding. The air was soft and balmy, and actually heavy with the fragrance of the orange-blossom and starry jasmine. All around the orchard ran streams of the most delicious clear waters, trickling with sweet music, and now and then a little cardinal, like a bright Or take the following picture of a Mexican "Auburn," not the less pleasing by the sly contrast with scenery with which the authoress is more familiar:— "Travelling in New-England, we arrive at a small and flourishing village. We see four new churches proclaiming different sects; religion suited to all customers. These wooden churches or meeting-houses are all new, all painted white, or perhaps a bright red. Hard by is a tavern with a green paling, as clean and as new as the churches; and there are also various smart stores and neat dwelling-houses-all new, all wooden, all clean, and all ornamented with slight Grecian pillars. The whole has churches, stores, and taverns, are all of a piece. a cheerful, trim, and flourishing aspect. Houses, They are suited to the present emergency, whatever that may be, though they will never make fine ruins. Every thing proclaims prosperity, equality, consistency;-the past forgotten, the present all in all, and the future taking care of itself. No delicate attentions to posterity, who can never pay its debts; no beggars. If a man has even a hole in his coat, he must be lately from the Emerald Isle. "Transport yourself, in imagination, from this New-England village to - it matters not which, not far from Mexico. Look on this picture and on that.' The Indian huts with their half-naked inmates, and little gardens full of flowers--the huts themselves either built of clay, or the half ruined beaux restes of some stone building. At a little distance a hacienda, like a deserted palace, built of solid masonry, with its inner patio surrounded by thick stone pillars, with great walls and iron-barred windows that might stand a siege. Here, a ruined arch and cross, so solidly built that one cannot but wonder how the stones are crumbled away. There, |