Wakefield
were ad- ber was 4:02 in.
Athenaeum - London - 1912a
FRANCIS ESPINASSE, formerly well 1815 : a Biography compiled from Hither-
known as a journalist, and one of the
The letter goes on to show in some
to Unknown and Unpublished Docu- detail how the Crystal Palace and its
Brethren at the Charterhouse, died last ments,' by M. Albert Espitalier, trans- grounds might be made to fulfil a similar
Wednesday morning. Born at Edinburgh lated by Mr. J. Lewis May.
in 1823 and educated at the University
purpose, by the collection within the
there, he came to London in 1843 as
An interesting work is about to be building of characteristic English products
assistant at the British Museum. He published by Messrs. Kegan Paul from of all epochs, and objects illustrative of
became an intimate friend of the Carlyles, recently as November last,
of Arthur Lillie, who died so the different phases of English life ; and
and his literary career owed much to
He spent by the erection in the grounds of ancient
Carlyle's advice. Later, as secretary, 5 years of his life in India, and has written buildings from different parts of the
journalist
, or editor, he worked in Man: largely on Buddha and the influence of kingdom, and of different ages.
chester and Edinburgh. He published is entitled " Rama and Homer,' and seeks
Buddhism on Christianity. The new work
MESSRS. PIERRE ROGER & CIE. of Paris
' Lancashire Worthies (1874–7), and, in
the “ Great Writers Series, Voltaire
to trace similitudes between the Iliad have arranged to include in a series of
(1892) and Renan' (1895). He con-
and Odyssey and Ramayana, the epic of books of travel published by them Mr.
tributed extensively to the “ Dictionary
Hindustan.
Hamilton Fyfe's South Africa To-day. '
of National Biography. '
WE regret to announce the death of RECENT Government Publications of
the Russian writer N. N. Zlatovratsky interest to our readers include University
MR. LEONARD HUXLEY has edited and on December 23rd. He belonged to the Education in London, Fourth Report
gathered into a single volume the educa- so-called school of folk - novelists. The (14d. ); Civil Service Examination Papers
tional passages from the writings of writers of this school are pure idealists : for Officers in the Army in Modern Foreign
Matthew Arnold, laying under contribu- they describe the life of the peasant and Languages, October, 1911 (1s. ld. ); Army
tion bis unpublished reports as Inspector labouring classes, and believe that through Qualifying Examination Papers, Septem-
of Schools as well as his published works. them the educated classes can reach a ber, 1911 (61d. ); Catalogue of MSS. in the
The volume will be published by Messrs. higher level of civilization if only they Museum of the Record Office (8d. ); and
Smith & Elder on the 18th inst.
will study their customs and philosophy. Army Review, January, 1912 (1s. Ad. ).
6
.
6
the pen
6
## p. 18 (#30) ##############################################
18
No. 4393, JAN. 6, 1912
THE ATHENÆUM
MEETINGS NEXT WEEK.
Mox.
Royal Academy, 4. -'Landscape, Sir W. B. Richmond.
S
Aspasia,' Mr. W. L. Courtney.
Surveyors Institution, 8. -'The Tendency of Recent Modifica-
tions of the lands Clauses Act,' Mr. Frank W. Hunt,
Chalmers Mitchell. (Juvenile Lecture. )
Asiatic, 4. -'Carchemish. ' Mr. D. G. Hogarth.
Institution of Civil Engineers, 8. – Reinforced . Concrete
11
Stresses in the steel and in the Concrete of Reinforced-
Columns of Concrete and Steel,' Mr. W. H. Burr.
Earl of Dudley.
Boys. (Juvenile Lecture. )
8. Hazzledine Warren.
Reflection,' Lord Rayleigh ; 'On the Variation of the Specific
H. L. Oallendar; The Mechanism of the Semipermeable
Pressure,' Prof. F. T. Trouton.
Mr. 0. Egerton Lowe.
Mr. O. A. Ablett.
and flash of sparks that followed on one Rousselet traced the history of the reflecting
of his own more powerful applications of microscope from 1872, when Isaac Newton first
suggested its construction to the Royal Society,
SCIENCE
his flint-axe. This view is, of course, down to 1827–8, when Cuthbert, at the suggestion
psychologically tenable, but rests on no
of Dr. Goring, produced the design exhibited. -
Mr. F. Shillington Scales gave a lecture on 'The
direct proof. Nor, again, can any great Photomicrography of the Electrical Reactions of
importance be assigned to his contention the Heart. " He described the principle and con-
struction of the Einthoven string galvanometer,
The Thunderweapon in Religion and Folk- that to thunderstones ideas are attached
with especial reference to the optical arrangements
lore : a Study in Comparative Archæo- characteristic of primitive religion such and the methods of photographing the movements
logy. By
By Chr. Blinkenberg. (Cam- as taboo; since an advanced culture, of the wire, resulting from the differences in
bridge University Press. )
such as that of the Romans, may remain micrographs of the movements of the hearts of
potential set up by the heart-beat. Photo-
impregnated with notions of this kind. various animals under the influence of drugs were
THERE can be no doubt about the great if, on the other hand, there were any
also shown. -The Rev. Hilderic Friend read a
value of Dr. Blinkenberg's monograph reason to suppose that the belief in ques-
paper on · British Tubificidæ. '
on the thunderweapon. The collection of tion originated in a single centre, and
material is in itself a piece of research thence spread by means of migrations or
for which the scientific world will be cultural contact, then there would indeed
grateful to him. He goes into great be good reason for postulating a very
London Institution, 5. - Learned Greek Women : Sappho and
detail with regard to the evidence from high antiquity for it. Dr. Blinkenberg
Denmark; and the need of exact regional evidently inclines to this hypothesis, but
Tues. Royal Institution, 3. -The Play of Young Animals,' Prof. P.
surveys in regard to the distribution of it is just here that he appears afraid of a
folk-customs is illustrated by the curious whole-hearted advocacy of monogenesis
Wharves and Warehouses at Lower Pootung, Shanghai, Mr.
8. H. Ellis; The Direct Experimental Determination of the
fact that in this comparatively small-such as has recently become fashion-
Concrete Columns, Mr. W. 0. Popplewell; Composite
country we find no fewer than three kinds able in cultural anthropology. As it is, Colonial Institute, 8. 30. – Some Impressions of Australia,' the
of thunderstone the prehistoric flint- he contents himself with some very Wed. Society of Arts, 5. -'Soap Bubbles,' Lecture II. , Prof. C. v.
weapon, the belemnite, and the echinite interesting proofs that early in the bronze Geological, 8. - On a Late Glacial Stage in the Valley of the
-each of which has as an object of super- age we find side by side the Mycenaan
River Len, subsequent to the Epoch of River-Drift Man,'Mr.
stition a particular district more or less cult of the double-axe of bronze and the
Thors. Royal, 4. 30. - On the Propagation of Waves through &
Stratified Medium with special reference to the Question of
to itself. Carrying the investigation Assyrian cult of the single-edged bronze Heat of Water, with Experiments by a New
Method. Prof.
further afield, the author has attempted, axe"; this points, he thinks, to a parallel Membrane and a New Method of determining Osmotic
by means of a wide search amongst evolution from some earlier form which London Institution, 6. - * Beethoven : the Man and his Music,
literary sources of information, to map out
can only have been a cult of the stone- Institution of Electrical Engineers, 8. - 'Some General
the distribution of this type of belief for
Principles involved in the Electric Driving of Rolling Mills,
axe.
On the whole, however, it is perhaps
the entire world. It is thereupon found to
wiser to aim at solidity rather than
be held almost universally in Europe brilliancy of handling in a subject so
(including ancient Greece and Rome) intricate and obscure. By building broad
and in Asia (including Indonesia). In rather than high, Dr. Blinkenberg has
Africa it is not rare, being well represented, built to last.
Science Gossip .
for instance, on the Guinea Coast. The
THE New Year Knights include Dr.
author, by the way, knows the bronze
E. B. Tylor, the honoured leader and master
imitations of stone-axes from Benin, but
SOCIETIES.
in anthropology ; Dr. W. F. Barrett, a
does not appear to know the actual stone-
physical and
BRITISH ACADEMY. —Dec. 15, 18, and 22. - distinguished exponent of
axe from the same place, which is to be Prof. R. A. Stewart Macalister,' late Director of psychical research ; Dr. J. H. Benson, Presi-
seen in the special showcase devoted to Excavations for the Palestine Exploration Fund,
dent of the Royal College of Physicians,
this class of cult-object in the Pitt-Rivers Archeology, his subject being The Philistines, writer on the medical side of workmen's
delivered the Schweich Lectures on Biblical Ireland; Dr. R. J. Collie, well known as a
Museum at Oxford. As for the examples their History and Civilization.
compensation; Dr. J. M. Davidson,
reported from America, he is probably
In the first lecture he dealt with recent re-
right in supposing the idea to have been searches and discoveries, and briefly traced the specialist in X-ray work; and Mr. A. B.
development of Cretan civilization as the source Kempe, a barrister who has devoted much
introduced by Europeans, since no native from which the Philistine nation had most pro- time to mathematics.
In the second lecture he
term for the thunderstone has ever yet bably sprung.
the problem of the Philistines MESSRS. MACMILLAN & Co. have arranged
come to hand.
with reference to the Old Testament and
to publish shortly a
volume of
Assyrian records, and the traditions of the people their "Science Monographs,” entitled 'Ro-
When we turn to the theoretical side
among the modern peasants of Palestine.
of the book, we have only to complain the last lecture the organization of the Philistines, searches in Terrestrial Magnetism,' by Dr.
that the author's scientific caution and
their country and cities, their language, religion, c. Chree; 'Spices,' by Mr. Henry N.
moderation are almost too great; SO
and art, were discussed from the point of view Ridley, Director of Botanic Gardens, Straits
of recent investigations.
Settlements; and 'Milk and the Public
that, whilst indicating a new interpreta-
The lectures will be issued in extenso as one
Health,' by Dr. William G. Savage, County
tion of the facts, he perhaps hardly pushes of the volumes of the series of Schweich Lectures.
Medical Officer of Health, Somerset.
it home. The usual explanation has been LINNEAN. -Dec. 21. -Dr. D. H. Scott, Presi-
the one so well set forth in Tylor's ' Early dent, in the chair. -Miss R. M. Cardew, the Rev. THE total rainfall at Greenwich in Decem-
History of Mankind,' to the effect that
H. Friend, and Miss E. M.
Wakefield were ad- ber was 4:02 in. , which goes far to make up
mitted Fellows. —Sir J. M'Crone Douie, Mr. J. W.
people who had passed out of the stone- Haigh Johnson, and Miss B. Lindsay were elected
the deficiency that might have been caused
on the year's whole record by the four dry
age, and forgotten the original use of the Fellows. - The Rev. H. Friend read his paper
flint implements, perceived them to be which was discussed by Prof. A. Dendy and the produced only 5:04 in. of rain, as compared
entitled 'Some Annelids of the Thames Valley, months, June to September, which together
mysterious when they came upon them Rev. T. R. R. Stebbing, the author briefly
with an average fall for the period of 8. 93 in.
by chance, and hit upon this theory of replying: Mr. W. C. Worsdell gave a lantern
The total fall in the last three months of
their connexion with the thunder. Dr. malities in fungi, and explained his views on the
1911 was, however, nearly 4 in. in excess,
Blinkenberg's facts about the distribu- causes which produce them. Prof. F. 0. Bower, and the yearly average, deduced from the
tion of the belief would certainly seem to
Prof. D. T. MacDougal (visitor), the Rev. T. R. R. records of the sixty-five years 1841–1905,
Stebbing, Prof. A. Dendy, Dr. Stapf, Miss E. M. has been all but reached. The average fall
show that, where stone-weapons are still Wakefield, Miss E. N. Thomas, and the President
in December is 1. 83 in. , so that 4. 02 in. is
in their hey-day, as in Australia, America, joined in a discussion, and the exhibitor replied. -
Dr. A. B. Rendle showed specimens obtained in unusually high for the month; but a
and the Pacific, there is no tendency to 1911 of the dissected leaf-form of horseradish, slightly greater amount was recorded in
connect them with the thunder. He Cochlearia Armoracia, and Dr. Stapf referred to 1872; and in 1868, which was a year with a
one or two points suggested by the specimens.
argues, however, from the wide distribu-
hot and dry summer like that of last year, the
tion in the Old World that the super-
December rainfall reached 5. 45 in.
MICROSCOPICAL. -Dec. 20. --Mr. H. G. Plimmer,
stition must go back to the stone-age. President, in the chair. --Mr. Rousselet described
THE sunshine record at Greenwich during
His notion is that primitive man likened a reflecting microscope by John Cuthbert, which
had been presented to the Society by the Com-
December was also in excess of the average,
the effects of the lightning to the crash
mittee of the Quekett Microscopical Club. Mr. I and the month generally was warm-the
8
new
o of
## p. 19 (#31) ##############################################
. No. 4393, Jan. 6, 1912
THE ATHENÆUM
19
mean
66
an
daily temperature being 440. 5. or four sittings. ” Speaking, as he ex- student it possesses an obvious advantage
Again in comparison with the year 1868, it pressly does here, of the quantity and over its predecessor in the larger number
the
is found that the mean daily temperature of complexity of a work, and not of its of . works chosen for reproduction;
quality, the writer is likely to mislead variety of its contents and their wealth of
46°. 1. In fact, the winter of 1868–9 was
generally
warm, the coldest of its months the ignorant, while the initiated will be of plates of the four Duccios from Mr. n. an.
tempted to smile at yet another critic Benson's collection, of three Signorellis,
being March
determined to exalt the art of the past five Rembrandts, and four plates of the wings
A DATUM that should be fundamental in at his contemporaries' expense. Neither of the Van der Goes altarpiece lent by His
the solar constant of radiation, or the number in scale nor in complexity, of course—but Majesty the King from Holyrood.
The editing of the work has been ad-
of heat-units that would be received from in quality only—is this three days' work
mirably done.
The names of both Mr.
the sun in each unit of time by a square unit at all extraordinary. As for scale, a
Roger Fry and Mr. Maurice Brockwell
of the earth's surface when the sun is in scene-painter can do a complete set
appear on the title-page, the latter being
the zenith, if cloud and atmosphere generally in forty-eight hours; and, in the matter mainly responsible for the compilation
were absent. This quantity is difficult of of complexity, think of the “double of the catalogue, which contains
exact
though these results, obtained by different pages" done in half that time, and crowded descriptions and discussions of questions as
physicists, are diverse, there is a broad with figures, which the weekly illustrated to provenance. The results of recent re-
uniformity. It is now pretty generally papers gave us a few years back. What search are stated with considerable detail
recognized that the solar constant varies is rare in our days is the power of painting active. Perhaps at times, as in the case of
in cases where criticism has been most
by about 5 per cent of its value ; but no a figure thus cold bloodedly in sections the picture at Brant Broughton, which Mr.
effect, such as might be ascribed to this as without loss of spirit. Of two impossi- Berenson claims to be the central panel of
cause, has been detected in meteorological bilities, we could more readily believe in an altarpiece executed by Masaccio for the
records.
a modern artist who should throw off church of the Carmine at Pisa, the citation
Adam in one day, than in one
of extracts from various opinions may leave
who should build it up in three.
the decision rather unnecessarily involved,
but this in a catalogue is preferable to the
FINE ARTS
In this new edition the translation of dogmatic note which may be, and often is,
Condivi has been retouched by the light the alternative. The time of issue of the
of Mr. Herbert Horne’s published version ; volume has also allowed of the
insertion of
and it is pleasant also to find acknow-
some expressions of opinion from various
Michel Angelo Buonarroti. By Sir Charles ledgment that several suggestions made thereby enhancing the completeness of the
Holroyd. (Duckworth & Co. )
in the first edition-notably, the removal record. We should add that the book is
“I HAVE finished the chapel
which I painted. formerly in the Boboli Gardens—have tents.
to the Academy of the unfinished statues not dear in view of the quality of its con-
The Pope is well satisfied, but other things been carried out by the authorities at
do not happen as I wished. Lay blame on
the times, which are unfavourable to Art. ”
Florence. These half-disengaged figures The Book of Bridges, by Edme Arcambeau,
are among the finest results of the great, with eighteen illustrations in colour by
Thus during the height of the Renaissance, but much-disturbed activity on which Jessie M. King (Gowans & Gray), is a picture-
while supremely accomplished master-
we can imagine the artist looking back book of considerable interest, the letterpress,
pieces were in the making, we find the with so divine a discontent. A phrase which has an interest of its own, being sub-
which we are familiar to-day; nor will is so typical of a severe intellect afflicted sketches are remarkable examples of sub-
artist uttering the same complaint with in his letters deserves quoting because it ordinate to, and merely descriptive of, the
any one who reads Buonarroti's life, with
its record of wars and other violent
jective impressionism.
material interruptions, doubt that the “ About the staircase of the library,'
The book describes and depicts a portion
complaint was justified. Sir Charles Hol- he writes, “ of which so much has been said of the Seine as it flows through Paris, from
royd does not paint Michel Angelo as, to me, there comes into my mind, as in a
the Pont d'Alfort, near the junction with the
under stress of danger, the definitely dream, the image of a certain staircase, but Marne, to the Pont de Solferino, opposite
I do not believe this can be the one I then
the Tuileries Gardens.
Some of the pictures
craven character depicted by M. Rolland thought of, for it seems so stupid. ”
are more recognizable as views of riverine
in his recent biography. The present work
Paris than that of the Pont Neuf, and many
simply adds a running commentary to
of them are beautiful, however fanciful the
Condivi's life, with copious extracts from
artist's vision. Especially pleasing are
the master's letters (mainly demonstrative
peep through an arch of the Pont Royal
of filial piety), and an appreciation of his
OUR LIBRARY TABLE.
towards the Pont de Solferino-a peaceful
rural study with flowers and trees in the
art which, while it hardly shows lack of The issue of A Catalogue of an Exhibition foreground and a line of rocks barring the
insight, yet, through generously neglecting of Old Masters in Aid of the National horizon, and the Pont de Tolbiac, giving
to pry into the occasional instructive Art - Collections Fund, Grafton Galleries, the impression of a tidal estuary sweeping
weakness of a genius, fails somewhat to
1911 (Lee Warner), impels us to refer to the out to sea beneath the walls of a feudal
make clear to the ordinary reader the the Committee of Selection. The Exhibition the accomplished artist had put side by
great success which attended the efforts of castle. It would have been interesting if
precise nature of his strength. From an
formed a less sensational triumph than | side with each of her studies a photograph of
artist like Sir Charles Holroyd we could that held in the same galleries two years the same view, to show what appeals
have tolerated greater detail in the treat-previously, but was hardly, if at all, inferior specially to the educated eye of the expert.
ment of technical matters, and a franker to it in the high standard of quality and note Miss Jessie King must, we think, have made
acknowledgment of those secret irreverent of distinction of the pictures, a large propor- her sketches soon after dawn on spring
reservations which qualify even the most tion of which were previously quite
unknown mornings. This would account for the
hearty admirations of the actual practi- to the general public. The student of the tender green verdure in a smokeless atmos-
tioners of an art. The desire above all would do well to avail himself of such oppor- life from the busy banks of the Seine in
prevented from seeing them, phere, but not for the complete absence of
things to do justice to the greatness of his tunity of acquaintance as the issue of the matutinal Paris.
theme even leads him to exaggeration present Catalogue affords. It contains eighty
M. Edme Arcambeau's share in the volume
when, dealing with the three successive full-page plates in collotype and one in photo-
days on which the Adam of The Creation gravure, and they are on a scale sufficient is an admirable description of the scenes
portrayed, illustrated by quotations from
If
was painted-first down to the collar. to afford a just impression of tones.
M. Georges Cain and other writers who
bone, then down to the hips, and the legs it had then been possible to produce such know their Paris. His own protest against
a record, what a treasure to its fortunate
last of all-he declares :
Such power of
the projected demolition of the Pont des
work and of finish is utterly inconceivable | Chester Exhibition of 1857 be to-day !
possessors would the catalogue of the Man-
Arts is forcible and just. If he is a French-
to any artist of to-day. Some will even
man, and the text as it stands is written by
excuse the imperfection of the study of exhibition of two years earlier, is emphatically of English. If it is a translation, we offer
The present Catalogue, like that of the him, he has acquired a marvellous command
a head by saying that they had only miee
for the collector to cherish. For the our compliments to the translator.
by age.
8
one
## p. 20 (#32) ##############################################
20
No. 4393, Jan. 6, 1912
THE ATHENÆUM
van
OLD MASTERS AT THE ACADEMY.
of the master upon a less masculine mind; art more logical, more unified, more truly
yet it is in many respects more satisfactory homogeneous, than the brilliant compilations
** Ar present it is probable that these exhi- than the Portrait of a Man (52), which seems of Mr. Abbey, which are, after all, but a
bitions, like those at the Grafton, do but evidently authentic, but presents a viva- clever compromise. At the same time, just
facilitate the departure (which all alike ciously modelled mask rather than a head. because we believe his work will speedily
deplore) of reputed masterpieces from this That handling so eloquent as that of this face become out of date, we anticipate for him a
country. The question of State interference and hand should be to some extent irrelevant niche in art history, though principally
with this exodus, which Mr. MacColl has to the purpose of the picture as a whole is for the pen drawings of the period of the
recently raised once more, is doubtless not quite uncharacteristic of Rembrandt, 'English Songs. ' It is easy to say that such
economic rather than artistic. On the face whose intense interest in humanity often works as The Noble Patron (298), or the
of it, it appears that the million of potential overrode his respect for pictorial coherence. drawings for The Leather Bottel (307), for
expenditure he asks for would almost Many will prefer this spontaneous if un- Sally in our Alley (302 and 308), for Phyllida
certainly prove a profitable investment from principled grappling with the difficulties Flouts Me (271), lack concentration and
the national point of view. From the of presentment to the brilliant and plausible, coherence if judged from a severe standard
standpoint of one primarily interested in but somewhat empty Portrait of a Cavalier of æsthetics ; but they are superbly true
contemporary artistic activity, however, (81), which, while conceivably a poor original
(81), which, while conceivably a poor original to the artist's standard of æsthetics, which
it appears possible that, once effectively work, might almost equally well be a sufficed to keep his touch at once eager and
denuded of its stores of inherited art, the supremely
capable forgery.
delicate, so that there are perhaps a score
country might display a more active interest
Only less great than that of Rembrandt, or more of drawings to be picked out of this
in the work of modern schools, and that
the names of Rubens (113 and 140) and collection which should have an interest
this work warmed by patronage and with Tintoretto (103 and 107) may be found akin to Watteau's as an historically exact
the cliché of European critical approbation attached to works of considerable size, but record of a phase of fancy. The beauty of
upon it, might cross the Atlantic at an
very moderate merit. One of the most these drawings and of fragments in the
enhanced price when duly matured.
pressing duties of criticism is to discredit others is a little lost in so large an exhibition,
From neither point of view need we mourn the prejudices due to the vulgar worship which gives an impression of mere restless
unduly if the collection of Sir Joshua's
of signatures which stands in the way of copiousness. The group of oil paintings
works in the first room at Burlington House any sincere appreciation of art to-day.
in the Octagon Room, on the other hand, is
finds & home outside these islands. In
It is doubtful whether any of the works admirably arranged. The pictures never
the full-length of Anne, Duchess of Grafton hitherto cited occupy the place in our
looked so well before, and we should not be
(12), the gorgeousness of costume is decently affection which is won by certain minor surprised if they were to provoke a recru-
subordinated to the simple backward sweep canvases by admittedly minor artists. First descence of imitation by the younger
of line which is the raison d'étre of the among these are a series of landscapes of exhibitors at the Royal Academy.
picture. The Dr. Johnson (2) is wonderful extraordinary beauty-two by Jan
as a replica, but still by no means equal to Goyen (78 and 82), two by Claude Vernet
the original in the National Gallery. The (139 and 141), and one by Hogarth (118).
Portrait of Frederick Howard, fifth Earl of All these are expressed in terms of a con-
LANDSCAPES AT THE ROYAL WATER-
Carlisle (4), is adroit and expressive, with vention with which we have long been
COLOUR SOCIETY'S GALLERY.
the failing (typical of the school) of a head
familiar, but in each the painter uses his At the seventeenth of these annual
somewhat empty in comparison with the idiom with a high degree of spontaneity landscape exhibitions a group of pictures
elaboration of the accessories.
There are to deal with subject-matter in which he is by the late J. Aumonier recalls to us that
other capable things, yet the general effect completely absorbed. Only a little less the death of Mr. Abbey is not the only loss
of the painting in the room is at once perfect are two figure pieces by Hogarth: art and the Academy sustained during the
dull and pretentious, as fashionable portrait- The Painter in his Studio (153), in the vein past year, and it seems an odd oversight
painting naturally tends to be.
of Vermeer, and an example of childish that the institution which for so long a term
The group of Primitives in the next room portraiture, Gerard Anne Edwards (151). of years could count upon the assistance of
is also not of the first importance, in spite of Romney's Mrs. Canning and Child (124) is so accomplished and sensitive a painter
the great names displayed. The Giovanni the most sincere example of the fashionable should not have included memorial
Bellini (St. Francis of Assisi, 41) appears to portraiture of the eighteenth century ; group of his work in the present exhibition
be generally admired, and certainly the while of the other portraits, Lely's Young at Burlington House. Wrangle (6) is the
details of landscape and accessories are Widow (85) captures us by sheer compact- best picture now showing in Pall Mall,
very interesting and well painted; but it ness and craftsman's skill
, and Cuyp's delightfully dainty in texture, with the
has neither the technical beauty of Bellini's Portrait of a Young Girl (77), if less varied resourcefulness of touch which comes
best work-being, indeed, singularly oily brilliant than the portraits shown in the of long experience taxed to the utmost by
in quality-nor the plastic simplicity and same galleries a few years back, holds the
an eye which sees in nature a great deal to
massiveness which in an occasional design attention by its intimacy of characteriza-
suggest. The larger Handborough Farm (7),
make us think of this painter as uncon- tion.
if not quite so easy and spontaneous, has
sciously among the greatest of masters.
the same wonderful quality of execution-
Nevertheless, it is clearly an important Necessarily to be considered apart from notably in the sky, with its extraordinarily
work, with a certain stark blackness more the rest of the exhibition, and indeed con- bold use of dragged paint. This subtle
reminiscent of his altarpiece in the Frari stituting an exhibition in itself, is the collec- technical variety is the hall-mark of the
than of his other more sensuous vein, which tion of the work of the late E. A. Abbey in best nineteenth-century painting, and for
would have seemed more suitable for the the last four rooms. The Academy has a time at least we shall almost inevitably
subject. The little Mantegna alongside (42) is generously represented the achievement of
generously represented the achievement of lose it in our search after greater simplicity
rather small and dry-not perhaps on that the artist, who, by as generous a bequest, of design. Ambersham Common (1) and
account uncharacteristic of the master in demonstrated his belief in the continued Handborough Mill (3) are other excellent
works of this character; but neither as decora- usefulness of the institution. It is examples of the painter whose work con-
tion nor as drama does it do justice to the apotheosis of the art of drawing from the stitutes the most important exhibit in the
powers of a master of both.
The Virgin and model, which, after all, is probably what
Child with St. John (40), ascribed to Botticelli,
present show.
the majority of Academicians are most The list of exhibitors on this occasion
is much less admirable. The choice of type honestly united in believing in. It is
differs considerably from that of the
is conceivably that of the painter alleged, probably a general, and on the whole bene- last year or so. We have no longer the
but the draughtsmanship is hardly that of
ficent, poverty which has been the prime work of Messrs. Peppercorn, Mark Fisher,
Botticelli in any of its various phases. factor in forcing artists to choose one of two and Austen Brown; and it cannot be
Another Virgin and Child (44), attributed methods of cheapening the cost of producing said that Mr. John Lavery, Mr. Adrian
to Cima, is very characterless, but with a
& painting. They have either been obliged Stokes, and Mr. Lamorna Birch are adequate
certain technical accomplishment. A third to reduce their subjects to such a simple substitutes. Of the original group of
Madonna and Child (43), ascribed to Lorenzo and everyday affair as can really be studied painters, Mr.
known as a journalist, and one of the
The letter goes on to show in some
to Unknown and Unpublished Docu- detail how the Crystal Palace and its
Brethren at the Charterhouse, died last ments,' by M. Albert Espitalier, trans- grounds might be made to fulfil a similar
Wednesday morning. Born at Edinburgh lated by Mr. J. Lewis May.
in 1823 and educated at the University
purpose, by the collection within the
there, he came to London in 1843 as
An interesting work is about to be building of characteristic English products
assistant at the British Museum. He published by Messrs. Kegan Paul from of all epochs, and objects illustrative of
became an intimate friend of the Carlyles, recently as November last,
of Arthur Lillie, who died so the different phases of English life ; and
and his literary career owed much to
He spent by the erection in the grounds of ancient
Carlyle's advice. Later, as secretary, 5 years of his life in India, and has written buildings from different parts of the
journalist
, or editor, he worked in Man: largely on Buddha and the influence of kingdom, and of different ages.
chester and Edinburgh. He published is entitled " Rama and Homer,' and seeks
Buddhism on Christianity. The new work
MESSRS. PIERRE ROGER & CIE. of Paris
' Lancashire Worthies (1874–7), and, in
the “ Great Writers Series, Voltaire
to trace similitudes between the Iliad have arranged to include in a series of
(1892) and Renan' (1895). He con-
and Odyssey and Ramayana, the epic of books of travel published by them Mr.
tributed extensively to the “ Dictionary
Hindustan.
Hamilton Fyfe's South Africa To-day. '
of National Biography. '
WE regret to announce the death of RECENT Government Publications of
the Russian writer N. N. Zlatovratsky interest to our readers include University
MR. LEONARD HUXLEY has edited and on December 23rd. He belonged to the Education in London, Fourth Report
gathered into a single volume the educa- so-called school of folk - novelists. The (14d. ); Civil Service Examination Papers
tional passages from the writings of writers of this school are pure idealists : for Officers in the Army in Modern Foreign
Matthew Arnold, laying under contribu- they describe the life of the peasant and Languages, October, 1911 (1s. ld. ); Army
tion bis unpublished reports as Inspector labouring classes, and believe that through Qualifying Examination Papers, Septem-
of Schools as well as his published works. them the educated classes can reach a ber, 1911 (61d. ); Catalogue of MSS. in the
The volume will be published by Messrs. higher level of civilization if only they Museum of the Record Office (8d. ); and
Smith & Elder on the 18th inst.
will study their customs and philosophy. Army Review, January, 1912 (1s. Ad. ).
6
.
6
the pen
6
## p. 18 (#30) ##############################################
18
No. 4393, JAN. 6, 1912
THE ATHENÆUM
MEETINGS NEXT WEEK.
Mox.
Royal Academy, 4. -'Landscape, Sir W. B. Richmond.
S
Aspasia,' Mr. W. L. Courtney.
Surveyors Institution, 8. -'The Tendency of Recent Modifica-
tions of the lands Clauses Act,' Mr. Frank W. Hunt,
Chalmers Mitchell. (Juvenile Lecture. )
Asiatic, 4. -'Carchemish. ' Mr. D. G. Hogarth.
Institution of Civil Engineers, 8. – Reinforced . Concrete
11
Stresses in the steel and in the Concrete of Reinforced-
Columns of Concrete and Steel,' Mr. W. H. Burr.
Earl of Dudley.
Boys. (Juvenile Lecture. )
8. Hazzledine Warren.
Reflection,' Lord Rayleigh ; 'On the Variation of the Specific
H. L. Oallendar; The Mechanism of the Semipermeable
Pressure,' Prof. F. T. Trouton.
Mr. 0. Egerton Lowe.
Mr. O. A. Ablett.
and flash of sparks that followed on one Rousselet traced the history of the reflecting
of his own more powerful applications of microscope from 1872, when Isaac Newton first
suggested its construction to the Royal Society,
SCIENCE
his flint-axe. This view is, of course, down to 1827–8, when Cuthbert, at the suggestion
psychologically tenable, but rests on no
of Dr. Goring, produced the design exhibited. -
Mr. F. Shillington Scales gave a lecture on 'The
direct proof. Nor, again, can any great Photomicrography of the Electrical Reactions of
importance be assigned to his contention the Heart. " He described the principle and con-
struction of the Einthoven string galvanometer,
The Thunderweapon in Religion and Folk- that to thunderstones ideas are attached
with especial reference to the optical arrangements
lore : a Study in Comparative Archæo- characteristic of primitive religion such and the methods of photographing the movements
logy. By
By Chr. Blinkenberg. (Cam- as taboo; since an advanced culture, of the wire, resulting from the differences in
bridge University Press. )
such as that of the Romans, may remain micrographs of the movements of the hearts of
potential set up by the heart-beat. Photo-
impregnated with notions of this kind. various animals under the influence of drugs were
THERE can be no doubt about the great if, on the other hand, there were any
also shown. -The Rev. Hilderic Friend read a
value of Dr. Blinkenberg's monograph reason to suppose that the belief in ques-
paper on · British Tubificidæ. '
on the thunderweapon. The collection of tion originated in a single centre, and
material is in itself a piece of research thence spread by means of migrations or
for which the scientific world will be cultural contact, then there would indeed
grateful to him. He goes into great be good reason for postulating a very
London Institution, 5. - Learned Greek Women : Sappho and
detail with regard to the evidence from high antiquity for it. Dr. Blinkenberg
Denmark; and the need of exact regional evidently inclines to this hypothesis, but
Tues. Royal Institution, 3. -The Play of Young Animals,' Prof. P.
surveys in regard to the distribution of it is just here that he appears afraid of a
folk-customs is illustrated by the curious whole-hearted advocacy of monogenesis
Wharves and Warehouses at Lower Pootung, Shanghai, Mr.
8. H. Ellis; The Direct Experimental Determination of the
fact that in this comparatively small-such as has recently become fashion-
Concrete Columns, Mr. W. 0. Popplewell; Composite
country we find no fewer than three kinds able in cultural anthropology. As it is, Colonial Institute, 8. 30. – Some Impressions of Australia,' the
of thunderstone the prehistoric flint- he contents himself with some very Wed. Society of Arts, 5. -'Soap Bubbles,' Lecture II. , Prof. C. v.
weapon, the belemnite, and the echinite interesting proofs that early in the bronze Geological, 8. - On a Late Glacial Stage in the Valley of the
-each of which has as an object of super- age we find side by side the Mycenaan
River Len, subsequent to the Epoch of River-Drift Man,'Mr.
stition a particular district more or less cult of the double-axe of bronze and the
Thors. Royal, 4. 30. - On the Propagation of Waves through &
Stratified Medium with special reference to the Question of
to itself. Carrying the investigation Assyrian cult of the single-edged bronze Heat of Water, with Experiments by a New
Method. Prof.
further afield, the author has attempted, axe"; this points, he thinks, to a parallel Membrane and a New Method of determining Osmotic
by means of a wide search amongst evolution from some earlier form which London Institution, 6. - * Beethoven : the Man and his Music,
literary sources of information, to map out
can only have been a cult of the stone- Institution of Electrical Engineers, 8. - 'Some General
the distribution of this type of belief for
Principles involved in the Electric Driving of Rolling Mills,
axe.
On the whole, however, it is perhaps
the entire world. It is thereupon found to
wiser to aim at solidity rather than
be held almost universally in Europe brilliancy of handling in a subject so
(including ancient Greece and Rome) intricate and obscure. By building broad
and in Asia (including Indonesia). In rather than high, Dr. Blinkenberg has
Africa it is not rare, being well represented, built to last.
Science Gossip .
for instance, on the Guinea Coast. The
THE New Year Knights include Dr.
author, by the way, knows the bronze
E. B. Tylor, the honoured leader and master
imitations of stone-axes from Benin, but
SOCIETIES.
in anthropology ; Dr. W. F. Barrett, a
does not appear to know the actual stone-
physical and
BRITISH ACADEMY. —Dec. 15, 18, and 22. - distinguished exponent of
axe from the same place, which is to be Prof. R. A. Stewart Macalister,' late Director of psychical research ; Dr. J. H. Benson, Presi-
seen in the special showcase devoted to Excavations for the Palestine Exploration Fund,
dent of the Royal College of Physicians,
this class of cult-object in the Pitt-Rivers Archeology, his subject being The Philistines, writer on the medical side of workmen's
delivered the Schweich Lectures on Biblical Ireland; Dr. R. J. Collie, well known as a
Museum at Oxford. As for the examples their History and Civilization.
compensation; Dr. J. M. Davidson,
reported from America, he is probably
In the first lecture he dealt with recent re-
right in supposing the idea to have been searches and discoveries, and briefly traced the specialist in X-ray work; and Mr. A. B.
development of Cretan civilization as the source Kempe, a barrister who has devoted much
introduced by Europeans, since no native from which the Philistine nation had most pro- time to mathematics.
In the second lecture he
term for the thunderstone has ever yet bably sprung.
the problem of the Philistines MESSRS. MACMILLAN & Co. have arranged
come to hand.
with reference to the Old Testament and
to publish shortly a
volume of
Assyrian records, and the traditions of the people their "Science Monographs,” entitled 'Ro-
When we turn to the theoretical side
among the modern peasants of Palestine.
of the book, we have only to complain the last lecture the organization of the Philistines, searches in Terrestrial Magnetism,' by Dr.
that the author's scientific caution and
their country and cities, their language, religion, c. Chree; 'Spices,' by Mr. Henry N.
moderation are almost too great; SO
and art, were discussed from the point of view Ridley, Director of Botanic Gardens, Straits
of recent investigations.
Settlements; and 'Milk and the Public
that, whilst indicating a new interpreta-
The lectures will be issued in extenso as one
Health,' by Dr. William G. Savage, County
tion of the facts, he perhaps hardly pushes of the volumes of the series of Schweich Lectures.
Medical Officer of Health, Somerset.
it home. The usual explanation has been LINNEAN. -Dec. 21. -Dr. D. H. Scott, Presi-
the one so well set forth in Tylor's ' Early dent, in the chair. -Miss R. M. Cardew, the Rev. THE total rainfall at Greenwich in Decem-
History of Mankind,' to the effect that
H. Friend, and Miss E. M.
Wakefield were ad- ber was 4:02 in. , which goes far to make up
mitted Fellows. —Sir J. M'Crone Douie, Mr. J. W.
people who had passed out of the stone- Haigh Johnson, and Miss B. Lindsay were elected
the deficiency that might have been caused
on the year's whole record by the four dry
age, and forgotten the original use of the Fellows. - The Rev. H. Friend read his paper
flint implements, perceived them to be which was discussed by Prof. A. Dendy and the produced only 5:04 in. of rain, as compared
entitled 'Some Annelids of the Thames Valley, months, June to September, which together
mysterious when they came upon them Rev. T. R. R. Stebbing, the author briefly
with an average fall for the period of 8. 93 in.
by chance, and hit upon this theory of replying: Mr. W. C. Worsdell gave a lantern
The total fall in the last three months of
their connexion with the thunder. Dr. malities in fungi, and explained his views on the
1911 was, however, nearly 4 in. in excess,
Blinkenberg's facts about the distribu- causes which produce them. Prof. F. 0. Bower, and the yearly average, deduced from the
tion of the belief would certainly seem to
Prof. D. T. MacDougal (visitor), the Rev. T. R. R. records of the sixty-five years 1841–1905,
Stebbing, Prof. A. Dendy, Dr. Stapf, Miss E. M. has been all but reached. The average fall
show that, where stone-weapons are still Wakefield, Miss E. N. Thomas, and the President
in December is 1. 83 in. , so that 4. 02 in. is
in their hey-day, as in Australia, America, joined in a discussion, and the exhibitor replied. -
Dr. A. B. Rendle showed specimens obtained in unusually high for the month; but a
and the Pacific, there is no tendency to 1911 of the dissected leaf-form of horseradish, slightly greater amount was recorded in
connect them with the thunder. He Cochlearia Armoracia, and Dr. Stapf referred to 1872; and in 1868, which was a year with a
one or two points suggested by the specimens.
argues, however, from the wide distribu-
hot and dry summer like that of last year, the
tion in the Old World that the super-
December rainfall reached 5. 45 in.
MICROSCOPICAL. -Dec. 20. --Mr. H. G. Plimmer,
stition must go back to the stone-age. President, in the chair. --Mr. Rousselet described
THE sunshine record at Greenwich during
His notion is that primitive man likened a reflecting microscope by John Cuthbert, which
had been presented to the Society by the Com-
December was also in excess of the average,
the effects of the lightning to the crash
mittee of the Quekett Microscopical Club. Mr. I and the month generally was warm-the
8
new
o of
## p. 19 (#31) ##############################################
. No. 4393, Jan. 6, 1912
THE ATHENÆUM
19
mean
66
an
daily temperature being 440. 5. or four sittings. ” Speaking, as he ex- student it possesses an obvious advantage
Again in comparison with the year 1868, it pressly does here, of the quantity and over its predecessor in the larger number
the
is found that the mean daily temperature of complexity of a work, and not of its of . works chosen for reproduction;
quality, the writer is likely to mislead variety of its contents and their wealth of
46°. 1. In fact, the winter of 1868–9 was
generally
warm, the coldest of its months the ignorant, while the initiated will be of plates of the four Duccios from Mr. n. an.
tempted to smile at yet another critic Benson's collection, of three Signorellis,
being March
determined to exalt the art of the past five Rembrandts, and four plates of the wings
A DATUM that should be fundamental in at his contemporaries' expense. Neither of the Van der Goes altarpiece lent by His
the solar constant of radiation, or the number in scale nor in complexity, of course—but Majesty the King from Holyrood.
The editing of the work has been ad-
of heat-units that would be received from in quality only—is this three days' work
mirably done.
The names of both Mr.
the sun in each unit of time by a square unit at all extraordinary. As for scale, a
Roger Fry and Mr. Maurice Brockwell
of the earth's surface when the sun is in scene-painter can do a complete set
appear on the title-page, the latter being
the zenith, if cloud and atmosphere generally in forty-eight hours; and, in the matter mainly responsible for the compilation
were absent. This quantity is difficult of of complexity, think of the “double of the catalogue, which contains
exact
though these results, obtained by different pages" done in half that time, and crowded descriptions and discussions of questions as
physicists, are diverse, there is a broad with figures, which the weekly illustrated to provenance. The results of recent re-
uniformity. It is now pretty generally papers gave us a few years back. What search are stated with considerable detail
recognized that the solar constant varies is rare in our days is the power of painting active. Perhaps at times, as in the case of
in cases where criticism has been most
by about 5 per cent of its value ; but no a figure thus cold bloodedly in sections the picture at Brant Broughton, which Mr.
effect, such as might be ascribed to this as without loss of spirit. Of two impossi- Berenson claims to be the central panel of
cause, has been detected in meteorological bilities, we could more readily believe in an altarpiece executed by Masaccio for the
records.
a modern artist who should throw off church of the Carmine at Pisa, the citation
Adam in one day, than in one
of extracts from various opinions may leave
who should build it up in three.
the decision rather unnecessarily involved,
but this in a catalogue is preferable to the
FINE ARTS
In this new edition the translation of dogmatic note which may be, and often is,
Condivi has been retouched by the light the alternative. The time of issue of the
of Mr. Herbert Horne’s published version ; volume has also allowed of the
insertion of
and it is pleasant also to find acknow-
some expressions of opinion from various
Michel Angelo Buonarroti. By Sir Charles ledgment that several suggestions made thereby enhancing the completeness of the
Holroyd. (Duckworth & Co. )
in the first edition-notably, the removal record. We should add that the book is
“I HAVE finished the chapel
which I painted. formerly in the Boboli Gardens—have tents.
to the Academy of the unfinished statues not dear in view of the quality of its con-
The Pope is well satisfied, but other things been carried out by the authorities at
do not happen as I wished. Lay blame on
the times, which are unfavourable to Art. ”
Florence. These half-disengaged figures The Book of Bridges, by Edme Arcambeau,
are among the finest results of the great, with eighteen illustrations in colour by
Thus during the height of the Renaissance, but much-disturbed activity on which Jessie M. King (Gowans & Gray), is a picture-
while supremely accomplished master-
we can imagine the artist looking back book of considerable interest, the letterpress,
pieces were in the making, we find the with so divine a discontent. A phrase which has an interest of its own, being sub-
which we are familiar to-day; nor will is so typical of a severe intellect afflicted sketches are remarkable examples of sub-
artist uttering the same complaint with in his letters deserves quoting because it ordinate to, and merely descriptive of, the
any one who reads Buonarroti's life, with
its record of wars and other violent
jective impressionism.
material interruptions, doubt that the “ About the staircase of the library,'
The book describes and depicts a portion
complaint was justified. Sir Charles Hol- he writes, “ of which so much has been said of the Seine as it flows through Paris, from
royd does not paint Michel Angelo as, to me, there comes into my mind, as in a
the Pont d'Alfort, near the junction with the
under stress of danger, the definitely dream, the image of a certain staircase, but Marne, to the Pont de Solferino, opposite
I do not believe this can be the one I then
the Tuileries Gardens.
Some of the pictures
craven character depicted by M. Rolland thought of, for it seems so stupid. ”
are more recognizable as views of riverine
in his recent biography. The present work
Paris than that of the Pont Neuf, and many
simply adds a running commentary to
of them are beautiful, however fanciful the
Condivi's life, with copious extracts from
artist's vision. Especially pleasing are
the master's letters (mainly demonstrative
peep through an arch of the Pont Royal
of filial piety), and an appreciation of his
OUR LIBRARY TABLE.
towards the Pont de Solferino-a peaceful
rural study with flowers and trees in the
art which, while it hardly shows lack of The issue of A Catalogue of an Exhibition foreground and a line of rocks barring the
insight, yet, through generously neglecting of Old Masters in Aid of the National horizon, and the Pont de Tolbiac, giving
to pry into the occasional instructive Art - Collections Fund, Grafton Galleries, the impression of a tidal estuary sweeping
weakness of a genius, fails somewhat to
1911 (Lee Warner), impels us to refer to the out to sea beneath the walls of a feudal
make clear to the ordinary reader the the Committee of Selection. The Exhibition the accomplished artist had put side by
great success which attended the efforts of castle. It would have been interesting if
precise nature of his strength. From an
formed a less sensational triumph than | side with each of her studies a photograph of
artist like Sir Charles Holroyd we could that held in the same galleries two years the same view, to show what appeals
have tolerated greater detail in the treat-previously, but was hardly, if at all, inferior specially to the educated eye of the expert.
ment of technical matters, and a franker to it in the high standard of quality and note Miss Jessie King must, we think, have made
acknowledgment of those secret irreverent of distinction of the pictures, a large propor- her sketches soon after dawn on spring
reservations which qualify even the most tion of which were previously quite
unknown mornings. This would account for the
hearty admirations of the actual practi- to the general public. The student of the tender green verdure in a smokeless atmos-
tioners of an art. The desire above all would do well to avail himself of such oppor- life from the busy banks of the Seine in
prevented from seeing them, phere, but not for the complete absence of
things to do justice to the greatness of his tunity of acquaintance as the issue of the matutinal Paris.
theme even leads him to exaggeration present Catalogue affords. It contains eighty
M. Edme Arcambeau's share in the volume
when, dealing with the three successive full-page plates in collotype and one in photo-
days on which the Adam of The Creation gravure, and they are on a scale sufficient is an admirable description of the scenes
portrayed, illustrated by quotations from
If
was painted-first down to the collar. to afford a just impression of tones.
M. Georges Cain and other writers who
bone, then down to the hips, and the legs it had then been possible to produce such know their Paris. His own protest against
a record, what a treasure to its fortunate
last of all-he declares :
Such power of
the projected demolition of the Pont des
work and of finish is utterly inconceivable | Chester Exhibition of 1857 be to-day !
possessors would the catalogue of the Man-
Arts is forcible and just. If he is a French-
to any artist of to-day. Some will even
man, and the text as it stands is written by
excuse the imperfection of the study of exhibition of two years earlier, is emphatically of English. If it is a translation, we offer
The present Catalogue, like that of the him, he has acquired a marvellous command
a head by saying that they had only miee
for the collector to cherish. For the our compliments to the translator.
by age.
8
one
## p. 20 (#32) ##############################################
20
No. 4393, Jan. 6, 1912
THE ATHENÆUM
van
OLD MASTERS AT THE ACADEMY.
of the master upon a less masculine mind; art more logical, more unified, more truly
yet it is in many respects more satisfactory homogeneous, than the brilliant compilations
** Ar present it is probable that these exhi- than the Portrait of a Man (52), which seems of Mr. Abbey, which are, after all, but a
bitions, like those at the Grafton, do but evidently authentic, but presents a viva- clever compromise. At the same time, just
facilitate the departure (which all alike ciously modelled mask rather than a head. because we believe his work will speedily
deplore) of reputed masterpieces from this That handling so eloquent as that of this face become out of date, we anticipate for him a
country. The question of State interference and hand should be to some extent irrelevant niche in art history, though principally
with this exodus, which Mr. MacColl has to the purpose of the picture as a whole is for the pen drawings of the period of the
recently raised once more, is doubtless not quite uncharacteristic of Rembrandt, 'English Songs. ' It is easy to say that such
economic rather than artistic. On the face whose intense interest in humanity often works as The Noble Patron (298), or the
of it, it appears that the million of potential overrode his respect for pictorial coherence. drawings for The Leather Bottel (307), for
expenditure he asks for would almost Many will prefer this spontaneous if un- Sally in our Alley (302 and 308), for Phyllida
certainly prove a profitable investment from principled grappling with the difficulties Flouts Me (271), lack concentration and
the national point of view. From the of presentment to the brilliant and plausible, coherence if judged from a severe standard
standpoint of one primarily interested in but somewhat empty Portrait of a Cavalier of æsthetics ; but they are superbly true
contemporary artistic activity, however, (81), which, while conceivably a poor original
(81), which, while conceivably a poor original to the artist's standard of æsthetics, which
it appears possible that, once effectively work, might almost equally well be a sufficed to keep his touch at once eager and
denuded of its stores of inherited art, the supremely
capable forgery.
delicate, so that there are perhaps a score
country might display a more active interest
Only less great than that of Rembrandt, or more of drawings to be picked out of this
in the work of modern schools, and that
the names of Rubens (113 and 140) and collection which should have an interest
this work warmed by patronage and with Tintoretto (103 and 107) may be found akin to Watteau's as an historically exact
the cliché of European critical approbation attached to works of considerable size, but record of a phase of fancy. The beauty of
upon it, might cross the Atlantic at an
very moderate merit. One of the most these drawings and of fragments in the
enhanced price when duly matured.
pressing duties of criticism is to discredit others is a little lost in so large an exhibition,
From neither point of view need we mourn the prejudices due to the vulgar worship which gives an impression of mere restless
unduly if the collection of Sir Joshua's
of signatures which stands in the way of copiousness. The group of oil paintings
works in the first room at Burlington House any sincere appreciation of art to-day.
in the Octagon Room, on the other hand, is
finds & home outside these islands. In
It is doubtful whether any of the works admirably arranged. The pictures never
the full-length of Anne, Duchess of Grafton hitherto cited occupy the place in our
looked so well before, and we should not be
(12), the gorgeousness of costume is decently affection which is won by certain minor surprised if they were to provoke a recru-
subordinated to the simple backward sweep canvases by admittedly minor artists. First descence of imitation by the younger
of line which is the raison d'étre of the among these are a series of landscapes of exhibitors at the Royal Academy.
picture. The Dr. Johnson (2) is wonderful extraordinary beauty-two by Jan
as a replica, but still by no means equal to Goyen (78 and 82), two by Claude Vernet
the original in the National Gallery. The (139 and 141), and one by Hogarth (118).
Portrait of Frederick Howard, fifth Earl of All these are expressed in terms of a con-
LANDSCAPES AT THE ROYAL WATER-
Carlisle (4), is adroit and expressive, with vention with which we have long been
COLOUR SOCIETY'S GALLERY.
the failing (typical of the school) of a head
familiar, but in each the painter uses his At the seventeenth of these annual
somewhat empty in comparison with the idiom with a high degree of spontaneity landscape exhibitions a group of pictures
elaboration of the accessories.
There are to deal with subject-matter in which he is by the late J. Aumonier recalls to us that
other capable things, yet the general effect completely absorbed. Only a little less the death of Mr. Abbey is not the only loss
of the painting in the room is at once perfect are two figure pieces by Hogarth: art and the Academy sustained during the
dull and pretentious, as fashionable portrait- The Painter in his Studio (153), in the vein past year, and it seems an odd oversight
painting naturally tends to be.
of Vermeer, and an example of childish that the institution which for so long a term
The group of Primitives in the next room portraiture, Gerard Anne Edwards (151). of years could count upon the assistance of
is also not of the first importance, in spite of Romney's Mrs. Canning and Child (124) is so accomplished and sensitive a painter
the great names displayed. The Giovanni the most sincere example of the fashionable should not have included memorial
Bellini (St. Francis of Assisi, 41) appears to portraiture of the eighteenth century ; group of his work in the present exhibition
be generally admired, and certainly the while of the other portraits, Lely's Young at Burlington House. Wrangle (6) is the
details of landscape and accessories are Widow (85) captures us by sheer compact- best picture now showing in Pall Mall,
very interesting and well painted; but it ness and craftsman's skill
, and Cuyp's delightfully dainty in texture, with the
has neither the technical beauty of Bellini's Portrait of a Young Girl (77), if less varied resourcefulness of touch which comes
best work-being, indeed, singularly oily brilliant than the portraits shown in the of long experience taxed to the utmost by
in quality-nor the plastic simplicity and same galleries a few years back, holds the
an eye which sees in nature a great deal to
massiveness which in an occasional design attention by its intimacy of characteriza-
suggest. The larger Handborough Farm (7),
make us think of this painter as uncon- tion.
if not quite so easy and spontaneous, has
sciously among the greatest of masters.
the same wonderful quality of execution-
Nevertheless, it is clearly an important Necessarily to be considered apart from notably in the sky, with its extraordinarily
work, with a certain stark blackness more the rest of the exhibition, and indeed con- bold use of dragged paint. This subtle
reminiscent of his altarpiece in the Frari stituting an exhibition in itself, is the collec- technical variety is the hall-mark of the
than of his other more sensuous vein, which tion of the work of the late E. A. Abbey in best nineteenth-century painting, and for
would have seemed more suitable for the the last four rooms. The Academy has a time at least we shall almost inevitably
subject. The little Mantegna alongside (42) is generously represented the achievement of
generously represented the achievement of lose it in our search after greater simplicity
rather small and dry-not perhaps on that the artist, who, by as generous a bequest, of design. Ambersham Common (1) and
account uncharacteristic of the master in demonstrated his belief in the continued Handborough Mill (3) are other excellent
works of this character; but neither as decora- usefulness of the institution. It is examples of the painter whose work con-
tion nor as drama does it do justice to the apotheosis of the art of drawing from the stitutes the most important exhibit in the
powers of a master of both.
The Virgin and model, which, after all, is probably what
Child with St. John (40), ascribed to Botticelli,
present show.
the majority of Academicians are most The list of exhibitors on this occasion
is much less admirable. The choice of type honestly united in believing in. It is
differs considerably from that of the
is conceivably that of the painter alleged, probably a general, and on the whole bene- last year or so. We have no longer the
but the draughtsmanship is hardly that of
ficent, poverty which has been the prime work of Messrs. Peppercorn, Mark Fisher,
Botticelli in any of its various phases. factor in forcing artists to choose one of two and Austen Brown; and it cannot be
Another Virgin and Child (44), attributed methods of cheapening the cost of producing said that Mr. John Lavery, Mr. Adrian
to Cima, is very characterless, but with a
& painting. They have either been obliged Stokes, and Mr. Lamorna Birch are adequate
certain technical accomplishment. A third to reduce their subjects to such a simple substitutes. Of the original group of
Madonna and Child (43), ascribed to Lorenzo and everyday affair as can really be studied painters, Mr.
