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existing Art Unions , and as it is by no means impossible that elegant as well as inelegant works in all walks of arfc can be cheaply multiplied to meet a very large demand , the scheme is quite worth attention . ^ Ehe best productions of the metallurgist and the potter are often beyond the reach of the admiring multitude , because , in his wish to recover his heavy outlay in designing and modelling , the manufacturer charges it upon a limited number of copies only , and thus starmps upon his wares a market price that effectually shuts up demand . But it i 3 easy to see that by the co-operation of many subscribers the ¦ cost of this high-class labour can be reduced to a mere fraction per copy , and the Art-IJnion directors ibe enabled , in a way and fora while , to carry out the programme set out for them by our content
The proposition to return twenty shillings in the pound to the subscribers , and to make a profit out of the balance , no doubt appears , primd facie , paradoxical . But , as may appear from our remarks . above , the feat is not impossible ; and its performance , nay even the attempt , will spur our fine arts manufactures by bringing the acquisition of beautiful objects within reach of the modest million whom fear of temptation and conscious want of pence , not Of taste , restrict at present to timid gjances at the treasures of the fine-art shops .
We shall watch the progress of the experiment with some interest , and to a certainty take a turn oureelves in this real wheel of fortune . We may chance to be in good company * if it be true , as stated , that Lord Carlisle heads the council , which also comprises the names of many excellent artists siad virUtosi . . . ¦
CKYSTAT , rAUA . CE . IMPOBTANT ANNOUNCEMENT . On the 25 th of November , Professor Pepper , late of the Polytechnic , entered upon his daily duties , when the various collections , of art and nature at the Palace were popularly illustrated j independent chemical and scientific lectures being also introduced . The success with which Mr . Pepper developed the resources—both for amusement and instruction—of the Polytechnic Institution is well known , and is a guarantee for still greater success in the Crystal Palace , the contents of which are so much more varied , and where he will find an almost boundless field for the exercise of his great powers of illustration . In his hand the magnificent Courts of the Palace—hitherto a sealed book to the multitude , will for the first time open their treasures of Art and History to the learned and unlearned alike .
An important step for extending railway connexion with the Palace has lately been taken , which promises the happiest results . Although th © West-end line ha 3 increased the facility of access to the extreme west of London , and will be further developed in the summer after next bj- the extension to Buckingham Palace , the north of tbe metropolis has hitherto been almost cut off from Sydenham . It is true a connexion between the north and south already exists , by means of the "Wimbledon branch to Croydon , but the distance is so great , and the complications so many , that practically
it is useless as a means of access to the Crystal Palace . Inconvenient as this is for passengers , it , is still more vexatious in the case of goods . For instance ,, to bring coals from the London and North Western Railway to the Brighton Railway Company ' s Depot , bosides the circuitous route , no leas than live shuntinga or reversals of the trains are requisite , thus adding no less than three shillings per ton to the cost of the coal . To obviate this , a . company has been created to form a junction of about two and a half miles in length , between the West London line at Kensington and the West-end at TVandsworth .
When this is done , the Crystal Palace-will have direct communication with the Great Western , the North Western , the Groat Northern , and the Eastern Counties Railways . Tp tho north of London , especially , thia line will bo a great convenience . Tho inhabitants of the populous and increasing districts on tho north of London —Kensington , Camden Town , Hmnpatend , Highgat © , Islington , Hackney , &v . —have been hitherto pructically debarred from tho advantages aud pleasuros of the Crystal Palace . Tho new lino will bring those important neighbourhoods into direct communication with Sydouhum by an access as easy and as cheap as that which now exists from London Bridge and Pimlico . It will also afl ' ord the long wanted moans for rapid daily excursions to tho Crystal Palnce from Birmingham and tho northern districts , and thus conduce to the general development of tho resourced of thia groat national undertaking .
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cies that he sees a beautifully proportioned goddess , attended by sportive Cupids , floating in the summer air . The New Theatre Royai , Adelphi . —We borrow tbe subjoined particulars , with thanks , from our contemporary the Builder : —" The main alterations interesting in the question of theatres-planning , will be found to be those as to the width of the proscenium-opening in proportion to the ' auditory ; ' tbe projection of tbe balcon , or stalls of the dress-circle ; and the generally increased space , as appropriated mainly with reference to the comfort of the audience ; to greater number of staircases of communication between the tiers ; and to a gallery staircase , with entrance from Bull-inn-court , in lieu of that which was reached from the entrance in the Strand . The whole area is not only greater than that in the old house , but even a less proportion than
PAiwriNas ox Glass . —Signor Agnoni has on view , at the largo room of tho Society of Arts , in tho Adolphi , a pair of paintings on glass , wliich uro of a character Hnliko any wo have yot scon . Tho oftuct sought to bo produced is liko that of natural objects as thoy appoar when reflected in a mirror . The silver is ronnovod from portion ? of tho bock of tho mirror , and tho figures painted on those portions . Tho effect thua obtained la very fine and the illusion almost perfect . In ono loolting-glasa the artist has exhibited , the spectator
fanusual of the seats opposite the stage are beneath boxes . There are three tiers ( two boxes and one gallery ) above the pit level . The upper boxe 3 and gallery are different from the lower boxes , by the omission of the balcon . There are two rows of seats in the balcon ; and the remainder of the space is divided into fourteen boxes , which , from the arrangement of the divisions , may be treated as at once public and private boxes . Another innovation deserving , of praise is that intended in the front of the balcon , which is to be of open-work of some kind , so that the ladies' dresses may show through , though whether it will be popular maybe a question . The whole house will accommodate 1408 persons seated . Mr . T . H . Wyatt is the architect ; Mr . J . Willson is the builder ; and Mr . Pas field is the architect ' s clerk of the works . " ¦ ¦
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season , is Dobson ' s Reading the Psalms , ad mirably engraved by Henry Cousins ( Henr Graves and Co . ) . The original picture was pur chased b y Miss Burdett Coutts , a lady emineni alike for her virtues and her purity of taste , and bj her permission this transcript is given to tlie public . Two children , brother and sister , are reading the Psalms in the holy volume open before theni ; their calm , beautiful , innocent faces seem as if inspired and beatified by the sacred themes revealed to them ; and to gaze upon them would almost persuade the most obdurate and worldly-minded ' to follow their example . Pare and elevating as is the
sentiment conveyed , the execution in all particulars is of the most delicate and tasteful character . Messrs . H . Graves and Co . have just published the sixth part of the Zoological Sketches , by Joseph Wolf , executed in lithography , coloured by hand , after originals made for the Zoological Society of London , from animals in their vivarium . The book is edited with notes by D . W . Mitchell , B . A ., the Secretary to the Society , and on all accounts may De considered one of the most important contribution ? in Natural History that has been made for many years . Those -who know Mr . Wolfs gifted pencil in this peculiar line , and his long and ripe
study of animal life , will be prepared for the extreme accuracy , the marvellous finish , and the remarkable identity of character which mark each several portrait group . What will give the work additional and lasting value , is the fact that in selecting the subjects , particular regard has been had to " those species which exhibit aptitude for acclimatation ; " and the probability therefore is , that for the most part the individuals here portrayed may in after years be recognised as the progenitors of a Ion"" and interesting line of descendants . A curious story is told by Mr . Mitchell of our old friend the hippopotamus , which , though not strictly matter of Fine Art , we cannot resist the opportunity of transcribing : — , -
NEW PUBLICATIONS . With the approach of the new year engravers are beginning to put foi-th samples of their handicraft , and the shops of print publishers look gay with novelty . Let us take a glance at some of the newest productions . Messrs . Oolnaghi and Co . claim especial notice and honour for the publication of magnificent Photographs of Raphael ' s Cartoons , executed on a scale . ' of magnitude almost unni'ecedented , by Messrs . Caldesi and Montechi . They are in three sizes , the largest measuring 41 inches by 23 , varying according to the proportions of the cartoons ,
and the smallest li inches by 9 . These productions will prove invaluable aids to the study of the genius and style of tho great Roman master , and will invite inspection for hours together without wearying the eye . They differ essentially from all engraved copies of these stupendous works in the important fact that every feature , every line , is an exact counterpart of the original , showing indeed the very working of the artist ' s haud , whereas iu all engravings the subject has to be , as it is termed , " translated , " and though the result aimed at is intended to supply the nearest substitute for the original , it is through a-medium entirely now . We
have indeed , with the exception only ol the colour , which is not important in these works , the very originals themselves , andscen , indeed , under circumstances more than usually favourable ; for the sun , taken in its happiest mood , has been made to investigate and . transcribe many a minute dotail , wliich , to the naked eye , under the ordinary conditions of a crowded picture-gallory , would not have' been noticed . Kaphael is admitted on all hands to have been the great master of expression , but never will his claims , to this distinction bo fully understood until after parsing in review the heads iu these Scripture groups , any ono of whioh is a distinct oreation , realised with a force and truth wliich amount to illusion . Even in the smallest series of
p hotographs before us the grand panorama of iiumau passion comprised in thorn is distinctly appreciable , so subtle is tho power of sun-painting . But so highlyhuvotho photographists been impressed with , their subject , that thoy huvc * in addition to tho three sets of cartoons , produced in a nwoli larger soaleascrics of studies ©! mu'lioularhends and groups . Thus the group of Our Lord and Peter in tho " Miraculous Draught of Fishes , " stands before us upon a sheet thirty inches square ; and tho Elymas the Sorcerer , Ananias , and other waster conceptions , will follow upon a similar scale Wo may mid that in tho matter of translating colour , which has always been a stumbling-block to thephotographist , particularly as regards yellows , blues , anil somo others , Messrs . Culdosi and Montcohi have boon more than usually suocossful ou tho present
. A ohanmng litllo subjcot at any time , but particularly appropriate at tho appending solemn
The hippopotamus in confinement is capricious in temper , and in his affections . Commencing with a love for his keeper , Hainet Saffi el Oanaana , so intense that he could not sleep without touching him , and so jealous that be avenged his occasional absences , while on board the steam-ship Ripon , with ingeniously mischievous resentment ; commencing with a personal attachment so strong , which he has only modified and made less demonstrative towards bis present attendant , he has learnt to hate as well . There are certain individuals whose appearance alway 3 excites his wrath ; and classes of persons , especially labourers and workmen wearing linen jackets . The inveterate feeling against the latter ia
probably traceable to the discomfort he experienced from , them at the time his present habitation was in the course of construction . His distinction of individuals is more difficult to account for . The gentleman towards whom he most constantly expresses his displeasure assures me that be never " gave his fat friend any causo of otfence whatever , except that bo one day addressed to him some expressions in Arabic which , were certainly not complimentary . " The Portrait of Mademoiselle Rosa lionheur , by Dub life , engraved by Samuel Cousins , JR .. A . ( Gatnbart and Co . ) , is in every way a most interestingwork to tho lover of art . It ropresonts the great animal paiutress of the day iu a picturesque and congenial group—the other party being a favourite young bull , upon whoso shoulders she is leaning in
an easy cte ' gagv attitude . With crayon in one baud and sketch-book in tho other , her occupation is at once rcvcalod , whilst her fine semi-masculine face , ( inc broad forehead , and cx . pressivo and observant eye , stamp her character unmistakabl y as that of an artist out of tho common ' run . What gives additional interest to tho picture is that the iutroduccd bull is from the hand of Uosa horsolf ; aud his good-humoured face and fine wavy coat show him to be a veritable neceptod favourite , and not a model " sitter" made up for the occasion . Tho engraving by Samuel Cousins of this interesting picture may bo pi'onouiieed a masterpiece of calignvphy . The various textures of Uosh , hair , silk-dress , bull's coat ; , &c , are admirably discriminated , and great judgment is shown in the wanner in which tho face is brought iuto relief , ns it wcro , against a luminous sky background .
SOCIETY I'Oll XlXJi ENOOUHAGEMiiNT 01 ? X ^ FINE AttTS . Tho provisional meeting of thia now sooioly la announced to tako place nt the Ilttuovor-squaro lloonWon IViilay evening next , when a vnnod aud rather novel programme wi 1 doubtless attract a numerous assemblage . In addition to the ordinary platform business o ? « i pubho meoUnff will bo giyon aoonoort of classical music , vocal and instrumental , for which somo of tho principal professionals wave
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No . 455 , December , 11 , 1858 . ] THE LEADlB . 1351
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Leader (1850-1860), Dec. 11, 1858, page 1351, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2272/page/15/
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