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  TheMajor’sgravitywasquiteupsetatthisabsurdnotion。andhelaughedoutrageously。Why,thefactis,sir,saidI,thatmyfriendPogson,knowingthevalueofthetitleofCaptain,andbeingcomplimentedbytheBaronessonhiswarlikeappearance,said,boldly,hewasinthearmy。Heonlyassumedtherankinordertodazzleherweakimagination,neverfancyingthattherewasahusband,andacircleoffriends,withwhomhewasafterwardstomakeanacquaintance。andthen,youknow,itwastoolatetowithdraw。

  Aprettypickleyouhaveputyourselfin,Mr。Pogson,bymakinglovetoothermen’swives,andcallingyourselfnames,saidtheMajor,whowasrestoredtogoodhumor。Andpray,whoisthehonorablegent?

  TheEarlofCinqbars’son,saysPogson,theHonorableTomRingwood。

  Ithoughtitwassomesuchcharacter。andtheBaronistheBarondeFlorval-Delval?

  Theverysame。

  Andhiswifeablack-hairedwoman,withaprettyfootandankle。

  callsherselfAthenais。andisalwaystalkingabouthertrente-deuxans?Why,sir,thatwomanwasanactressontheBoulevard,whenwewereherein’15。She’snomorehiswifethanIam。Delval’snameisChicot。ThewomanisalwaystravellingbetweenLondonandParis:IsawshewashookingyouatCalais。shehashookedtenmen,inthecourseofthelasttwoyears,inthisveryway。Shelentyoumoney,didn’tshe?Yes。Andsheleansonyourshoulder,andwhispers,’Playhalfforme,’andsomebodywinsit,andthepoorthingisassorryasyouare,andherhusbandstormsandrages,andinsistsondoublestakes。andsheleansoveryourshoulderagain,andtellseverycardinyourhandtoyouradversary,andthat’sthewayit’sdone,Mr。Pogson。

  I’vebeen’AD,IseeI’ave,saidPogson,veryhumbly。

  Well,sir,saidtheMajor,inconsideration,notofyou,sir——

  for,givemeleavetotellyou,Mr。Pogson,thatyouareapitifullittlescoundrel——inconsiderationformyLordCinqbars,sir,withwhom,Iamproudtosay,Iamintimate,theMajordearlylovedalord,andwas,byhisownshowing,acquaintedwithhalfthepeerage,Iwillaidyouinthisaffair。Yourcursedvanity,sir,andwantofprinciple,hassetyou,inthefirstplace,intriguingwithothermen’swives。andifyouhadbeenshotforyourpains,abulletwouldhaveonlyservedyouright,sir。Youmustgoaboutasanimpostor,sir,insociety。andyoupayrichlyforyourswindling,sir,bybeingswindledyourself:but,asIthinkyourpunishmenthasbeenalreadyprettysevere,Ishalldomybest,outofregardformyfriend,LordCinqbars,topreventthemattergoinganyfarther。andIrecommendyoutoleavePariswithoutdelay。Nowletmewishyouagoodmorning——WherewithBritishmadeamajesticbow,andbegangivingthelasttouchtohisvarnishedboots。

  Wedeparted:poorSamperfectlysilentandchapfallen。andI

  meditatingonthewisdomofthehalf-payphilosopher,andwonderingwhatmeanshewouldemploytorescuePogsonfromhisfate。

  WhatthesemeanswereIknownot。butMr。RingwooddidNOTmakehisappearanceatsix。and,ateight,aletterarrivedforMr。Pogson,commercialtraveller,&c。&c。Itwasblankinside,butcontainedhistwobills。Mr。Ringwoodlefttown,almostimmediately,forVienna。nordidtheMajorexplainthecircumstanceswhichcausedhisdeparture。buthemutteredsomethingaboutknewsomeofhisoldtricks,threatenedpolice,andmadehimdisgorgedirectly。

  Mr。Ringwoodis,asyet,youngathistrade。andIhaveoftenthoughtitwasverygreenofhimtogiveupthebillstotheMajor,who,certainly,wouldneverhavepressedthematterbeforethepolice,outofrespectforhisfriend,LordCinqbars。

  THEFETESOFJULY。

  INALETTERTOTHEEDITOROFTHEBUNGAYBEACON。

  PARIS,July30th,1839。

  WehavearrivedherejustintimeforthefetesofJuly——Youhaveread,nodoubt,ofthatgloriousrevolutionwhichtookplaceherenineyearsago,andwhichisnowcommemoratedannually,inaprettyfacetiousmanner,bygun-firing,student-processions,pole-

  climbing-for-silver-spoons,gold-watchesandlegs-of-mutton,monarchicalorations,andwhatnot,andsanctioned,moreover,byChamber-of-Deputies,withagrantofacoupleofhundredthousandfrancstodefraytheexpensesofallthecrackers,gun-firings,andlegs-of-muttonaforesaid。ThereisanewfountaininthePlaceLouisQuinze,otherwisecalledthePlaceLouisSeize,orelsethePlacedelaRevolution,orelsethePlacedelaConcordewhocansaywhy?——which,Iamtold,istorunbadwineduringcertainhoursto-morrow,andthereWOULDhavebeenareviewoftheNationalGuardsandtheLine——only,sincetheFieschibusiness,reviewsarenojoke,andsothislatterpartofthefestivityhasbeendiscontinued。

  Doyounotlaugh,OPharosofBungay,atthecontinuanceofahumbugsuchasthis?——atthehumbugginganniversaryofahumbug?

  TheKingoftheBarricadesis,nexttotheEmperorNicholas,themostabsoluteSovereigninEurope。yetthereisnotinthewholeofthisfairkingdomofFranceasinglemanwhocaressixpenceabouthim,orhisdynasty:except,mayhap,afewhangers-onattheChateau,whoeathisdinners,andputtheirhandsinhispurse。

  ThefeelingofloyaltyisasdeadasoldCharlestheTenth。theChambershavebeenlaughedat,thecountryhasbeenlaughedat,allthesuccessiveministrieshavebeenlaughedatandyouknowwhoisthewagthathasamusedhimselfwiththemall。and,behold,herecomethreedaysattheendofJuly,andcannonsthinkitnecessarytofireoff,squibsandcrackerstoblazeandfizz,fountainstorunwine,kingstomakespeeches,andsubjectstocrawlupgreasymats-de-cocagneintokenofgratitudeandrejouissancepublique!——

  Mydearsir,intheiraptitudetoswallow,toutter,toenacthumbugs,theseFrenchpeople,fromMajestydownwards,beatalltheothernationsofthisearth。Inlookingatthesemen,theirmanners,dresses,opinions,politics,actions,history,itisimpossibletopreserveagravecountenance。insteadofhavingCarlyletowriteaHistoryoftheFrenchRevolution,IoftenthinkitshouldbehandedovertoDickensorTheodoreHook:andoh!whereistheRabelaistobethefaithfulhistorianofthelastphaseoftheRevolution——thelastgloriousnineyearsofwhichwearenowcommemoratingthelastgloriousthreedays?

  Ihadmadeavownottosayasyllableonthesubject,althoughI

  haveseen,withmyneighbors,allthegingerbreadstallsdowntheChampsElysees,andsomeofthecatafalqueserectedtothememoryoftheheroesofJuly,wherethestudentsandothers,notconnectedpersonallywiththevictims,andnothavingintheleastprofitedbytheirdeaths,comeandweep。butthegriefshownonthefirstdayisquiteasabsurdandfictitiousasthejoyexhibitedonthelast。Thesubjectisonewhichadmitsofmuchwholesomereflectionandfoodformirth。and,besides,issorichlytreatedbytheFrenchthemselves,thatitwouldbeasinandashametopassitover。Allowmetohavethehonoroftranslating,foryouredification,anaccountofthefirstday’sproceedings——itismightyamusing,tomythinking。

  CELEBRATIONOFTHEDAYSOFJULY。

  To-daySaturday,funeralceremonies,inhonorofthevictimsofJuly,wereheldinthevariousedificesconsecratedtopublicworship。

  Theseedifices,withtheexceptionofsomechurchesespeciallythatofthePetits-Peres,wereuniformlyhungwithblackontheoutside。thehangingsboreonlythisinscription:27,28,29July,1830——surroundedbyawreathofoak-leaves。

  IntheinterioroftheCatholicchurches,ithadonlybeenthoughtpropertodressLITTLECATAFALQUES,asforburialsofthethirdandfourthclass。Veryfewclergyattended。butaconsiderablenumberoftheNationalGuard。

  TheSynagogueoftheIsraeliteswasentirelyhungwithblack。andagreatconcourseofpeopleattended。Theservicewasperformedwiththegreatestpomp。

  IntheProtestanttemplestherewaslikewiseaveryfullattendance:APOLOGETICALDISCOURSESontheRevolutionofJulywerepronouncedbythepastors。

  TheabsenceofM。deQuelenArchbishopofParis,andofmanymembersofthesuperiorclergy,wasremarkedatNotreDame。

  Thecivilauthoritiesattendedserviceintheirseveraldistricts。

  Thepoles,ornamentedwithtri-coloredflags,whichformerlywereplacedonNotreDame,were,itwasremarked,suppressed。TheflagsonthePontNeufwere,duringtheceremony,onlyhalf-masthigh,andcoveredwithcrape。

  Etcaetera,etcaetera,etcaetera。

  ThetombsoftheLouvrewerecoveredwithblackhangings,andadornedwithtri-coloredflags。Infrontandinthemiddlewaserectedanexpiatorymonumentofapyramidicalshape,andsurmountedbyafuneralvase。

  ThesetombswereguardedbytheMUNICIPALGUARD,THETROOPSOFTHE

  LINE,THESERGENSDEVILLEtownpatrol,ANDABRIGADEOFAGENTS

  OFPOLICEINPLAINCLOTHES,undertheordersofpeace-officerVassal。

  Betweenelevenandtwelveo’clock,someyoungmen,tothenumberof400or500,assembledonthePlacedelaBourse,oneofthembearingatri-coloredbannerwithaninscription,’TOTHEMANESOF

  JULY:’rangingthemselvesinorder,theymarchedfiveabreasttotheMarchedesInnocens。Ontheirarrival,theMunicipalGuardsoftheHalleauxDraps,wheretheposthadbeendoubled,issuedoutwithoutarms,andthetown-sergeantsplacedthemselvesbeforethemarkettopreventtheentryoftheprocession。Theyoungmenpassedinperfectorder,andwithoutsayingaword——onlyliftingtheirhatsastheydefiledbeforethetombs。WhentheyarrivedattheLouvretheyfoundthegatesshut,andthegardenevacuated。

  Thetroopswereunderarms,andformedinbattalion。

  Afterthepassageoftheprocession,theGardenwasagainopentothepublic。

  Andtheeveningandthemorningwerethefirstday。

  There’snothingseriousinmortality:isthere,fromthebeginningofthisaccounttotheendthereof,aughtbutsheer,open,monstrous,undisguisedhumbug?Isaid,before,thatyoushouldhaveahistoryofthesepeoplebyDickensorTheodoreHook,butthereislittleneedofprofessedwags——donotthemenwritetheirowntalewithanadmirableSancho-likegravityandnaivete,whichonecouldnotdesireimproved?HowgoodisthattouchofslyindignationabouttheLITTLECATAFALQUES!howrichthecontrastpresentedbytheeconomyoftheCatholicstothesplendiddisregardofexpenseexhibitedbythedevoutJews!andhowtouchingtheAPOLOGETICALDISCOURSESontheRevolution,deliveredbytheProtestantpastors!FancytheprofoundafflictionoftheGardesMunicipaux,theSergensdeVille,thepoliceagentsinplainclothes,andthetroopswithfixedbayonets,sobbingroundtheexpiatorymonumentsofapyramidicalshape,surmountedbyfuneralvases,andcompelled,bysadduty,tofireintothepublicwhomightwishtoindulgeinthesamewoe!OmanesofJuly!thephraseisprettyandgrammaticalwhydidyouwithsharpbulletsbreakthoseLouvrewindows?Whydidyoubayonetred-coatedSwissbehindthatfairwhitefacade,and,bravingcannon,musket,sabre,perspectiveguillotine,burstyonderbronzegates,rushthroughthatpeacefulpicture-gallery,andhurlroyalty,loyalty,andathousandyearsofKings,head-over-heelsoutofyonderTuileries’

  windows?

  Itis,youwillallow,alittledifficulttosay:——thereis,however,ONEbenefitthatthecountryhasgainedasforlibertyofpress,orperson,diminishedtaxation,ajusterrepresentation,whoeverthinksofthem?——ONEbenefittheyhavegained,ornearly——

  abolitiondelapeine-de-mortpourdelitpolitique:nomorewickedguillotiningforrevolutions。AFrenchmanmusthavehisrevolution——

  itishisnaturetoknockdownomnibusesinthestreet,andacrossthemtofireattroopsoftheline——itisasintobalkit。DidnottheKingsendoffRevolutionaryPrinceNapoleoninacoach-and-four?

  Didnotthejury,beforethefaceofGodandJustice,proclaimRevolutionaryColonelVaudreynotguilty?——Onemayhope,soon,thatifamanshowsdecentcourageandenergyinhalfadozenemeutes,hewillgetpromotionandapremium。

  Idonotalthough,perhaps,partialtothesubject,wanttotalkmorenonsensethantheoccasionwarrants,andwillprayyoutocastyoureyesoverthefollowinganecdote,thatisnowgoingtheroundofthepapers,andrespectsthecommutationofthepunishmentofthatwretched,fool-hardyBarbes,who,onhistrial,seemedtoinvitethepenaltywhichhasjustbeenremittedtohim。Yourecollectthebraggart’sspeech:WhentheIndianfallsintothepoweroftheenemy,heknowsthefatethatawaitshim,andsubmitshisheadtotheknife:——IamtheIndian!

  Well——

  M。HugowasattheOperaonthenightthesentenceoftheCourtofPeers,condemningBarbestodeath,waspublished。Thegreatpoetcomposedthefollowingverses:——

  ’Parvotreangeenvolee,ainsiqu’unecolombe,Parleroyalenfant,douxetfreleroseau,Graceencoreunefois!Graceaunomdelatombe!

  Graceaunomduberceau!’*

  M。VictorHugowrotethelinesoutinstantlyonasheetofpaper,whichhefolded,andsimplydespatchedthemtotheKingoftheFrenchbythepenny-post。

  Thattrulyisanoblevoice,whichcanatallhoursthusspeaktothethrone。Poetry,inolddays,wascalledthelanguageoftheGods——itisbetternamednow——itisthelanguageoftheKings。

  ButtheclemencyoftheKinghadanticipatedtheletterofthePoet。HisMajestyhadsignedthecommutationofBarbes,whilethepoetwasstillwriting。

  LouisPhilipperepliedtotheauthorof’RuyBlas’mostgraciously,thathehadalreadysubscribedtoawishsonoble,andthattheverseshadonlyconfirmedhispreviousdispositiontomercy。

  *Translatedforthebenefitofcountrygentlemen:——

  Byyourangelflownawayjustlikeadove,Bytheroyalinfant,thatfrailandtenderreed,Pardonyetoncemore!Pardoninthenameofthetomb!

  Pardoninthenameofthecradle!

  Nowincountrieswherefoolsmostabound,didoneeverreadofmoremonstrous,palpablefolly?Inanycountry,savethis,wouldapoetwhochosetowritefourcrack-brainedverses,comparinganangeltoadove,andalittleboytoareed,andcallinguponthechiefmagistrate,inthenameoftheangel,ordovethePrincessMary,inhertomb,andthelittleinfantinhiscradle,tospareacriminal,havereceivedagraciousanswertohisnonsense?Wouldhehaveeverdespatchedthenonsense?andwouldanyjournalisthavebeensillyenoughtotalkofthenoblevoicethatcouldthusspeaktothethrone,andthenoblethronethatcouldreturnsuchanobleanswertothenoblevoice?Yougetnothingdoneheregravelyanddecently。Tawdrystagetricksareplayed,andbraggadocioclaptrapsuttered,oneveryoccasion,howeversacredorsolemn:inthefaceofdeath,asbyBarbeswithhishideousIndianmetaphor。

  intheteethofreason,asbyM。VictorHugowithhistwopenny-postpoetry。andofjustice,asbytheKing’sabsurdreplytothisabsurddemand!SupposetheCountofParistobetwentytimesareed,andthePrincessMaryahostofangels,isthatanyreasonwhythelawshouldnothaveitscourse?JusticeistheGodofourlowerworld,ourgreatomnipresentguardian:assuchitmoves,orshouldmoveonmajestic,awful,irresistible,havingnopassions——

  likeaGod:but,intheverymidstofthepathacrosswhichitistopass,lo!M。VictorHugotripsforward,smirking,andsays,OdivineJustice!Iwilltroubleyoutolistentothefollowingtriflingeffusionofmine:——

  Parvotreangeenvolee,ainsiqu’une,&c。

  AwfulJusticestops,and,bowinggravely,listenstoM。Hugo’sverses,and,withtrueFrenchpoliteness,says,MoncherMonsieur,theseversesarecharming,ravissans,delicieux,and,comingfromsuchacelebritelitteraireasyourself,shallmeetwitheverypossibleattention——infact,hadIrequiredanythingtoconfirmmyownpreviousopinions,thischarmingpoemwouldhavedoneso。Bonjour,moncherMonsieurHugo,aurevoir!——andtheypart:——Justicetakingoffhishatandbowing,andtheauthorofRuyBlasquiteconvincedthathehasbeentreatingwithhimd’egalenegal。IcanhardlybringmymindtofancythatanythingisseriousinFrance——

  itseemstobeallrant,tinsel,andstage-play。Shamliberty,shammonarchy,shamglory,shamjustice,——oudiabledonclaveriteva-t-ellesenicher?……

  ThelastrocketofthefeteofJulyhasjustmounted,exploded,madeaportentousbang,andemittedagorgeousshowofbluelights,andthenlikemanyreputationsdisappearedtotally:thehundredthgunontheInvalidterracehasuttereditslastroar——andagreatcomfortitisforeyesandearsthatthefestivalisover。Weshallbeabletogoaboutoureverydaybusinessagain,andnotbehustledbythegendarmesorthecrowd。

  ThesightwhichIhavejustcomeawayfromisasbrilliant,happy,andbeautifulascanbeconceived。andifyouwanttoseeFrenchpeopletothegreatestadvantage,youshouldgotoafestivallikethis,wheretheirmanners,andinnocentgayety,showaverypleasingcontrasttothecoarseandvulgarhilaritywhichthesameclasswouldexhibitinourowncountry——atEpsomracecourse,forinstance,orGreenwichFair。ThegreatestnoisethatIheardwasthatofacompanyofjollyvillagersfromaplaceintheneighborhoodofParis,who,assoonasthefireworkswereover,formedthemselvesintoaline,threeorfourabreast,andsomarchedsinginghome。Asforthefireworks,squibsandcrackersareveryhardtodescribe,andverylittlewastobeseenofthem:

  tome,theprettiestsightwasthevast,orderly,happycrowd,thenumberofchildren,andtheextraordinarycareandkindnessoftheparentstowardstheselittlecreatures。Itdoesonegoodtoseehonest,heavyepiciers,fathersoffamilies,playingwiththemintheTuileries,or,asto-night,bearingthemstoutlyontheirshoulders,throughmanylonghours,inorderthatthelittleonestoomayhavetheirshareofthefun。JohnBull,Ifear,ismoreselfish:hedoesnottakeMrs。Bulltothepublic-house。butleavesher,forthemostpart,totakecareofthechildrenathome。

  Thefete,then,isover。thepompousblackpyramidattheLouvreisonlyaskeletonnow。alltheflagshavebeenmiraculouslywhiskedawayduringthenight,andthefinechandelierswhichglittereddowntheChampsElyseesforfullhalfamile,havebeenconsignedtotheirdensanddarkness。Willtheyeverbereproducedforothercelebrationsoftheglorious29thofJuly?——Ithinknot。theGovernmentwhichvowedthatthereshouldbenomorepersecutionsofthepress,was,onthatvery29th,seizingaLegitimistpaper,forsomerealorfanciedoffenceagainstit:ithadseized,andwasseizingdaily,numbersofpersonsmerelysuspectedofbeingdisaffectedandyoumayfancyhowlibertyisunderstood,whensomeoftheseprisoners,theotherday,oncomingtotrial,werefoundguiltyandsentencedtoONEday’simprisonment,afterTHIRTY-SIX

  DAYS’DETENTIONONSUSPICION。IthinktheGovernmentwhichfollowssuchasystem,cannotbeveryanxiousaboutanyfartherrevolutionaryfetes,andthattheChambermayreasonablyrefusetovotemoremoneyforthem。Whyshouldmenbesomightyproudofhaving,onacertainday,cutacertainnumberoftheirfellow-

  countrymen’sthroats?TheGuardsandtheLineemployedthistimenineyearsdidnomorethanthosewhocannonadedthestarvingLyonnese,orbayonetedthelucklessinhabitantsoftheRueTransnounain:——theydidbutfulfilthesoldier’shonorableduty:——

  hissuperiorsbidhimkillandhekilleth:——perhaps,hadhegonetohisworkwithalittlemoreheart,theresultwouldhavebeendifferent,andthen——wouldtheconqueringpartyhavebeenjustifiedinannuallyrejoicingovertheconquered?WouldwehavethoughtCharlesX。justifiedincausingfireworkstobeblazed,andconcertstobesung,andspeechestobespouted,incommemorationofhisvictoryoverhisslaughteredcountrymen?——Iwishformyparttheywouldallowthepeopletogoabouttheirbusinessasontheother362daysoftheyear,andleavetheChampsElyseesfreefortheomnibusestorun,andtheTuileries’inquiet,sothatthenurse-maidsmightcomeasusual,andthenewspapersbereadforahalfpennyapiece。

  ShallItroubleyouwithanaccountofthespeculationsoftheselatter,andthestateofthepartieswhichtheyrepresent?Thecomplicationisnotalittlecurious,andmayform,perhaps,asubjectofgraverdisquisition。TheJulyfetesoccupy,asyoumayimagine,aconsiderablepartoftheircolumnsjustnow,anditisamusingtofollowthemonebyone。toreadTweedledum’spraise,andTweedledee’sindignation——toread,intheDebatshowtheKingwasreceivedwithshoutsandloyalvivats——intheNation,hownotatonguewaswaggedinhispraise,but,ontheinstantofhisdeparture,howthepeoplecalledfortheMarseillaiseandapplaudedTHAT——Butbestsaynomoreaboutthefete。TheLegitimistswerealwaysindignantatit。ThehighPhilippistpartysneersatanddespisesit。theRepublicanshateit:itseemsajokeagainstTHEM。Whycontinueit?——Iftherebeanythingsacredinthenameandideaofloyalty,whyrenewthisfete?Itonlyshowshowarightfulmonarchwashurledfromhisthrone,andadexteroususurperstolehispreciousdiadem。Iftherebeanythingnobleinthememoryofaday,whencitizens,unusedtowar,roseagainstpractisedveterans,and,armedwiththestrengthoftheircause,overthrewthem,whyspeakofitnow?orrenewthebitterrecollectionsofthebootlessstruggleandvictory?OLafayette!

  Oherooftwoworlds!OaccomplishedCromwellGrandison!youhavetoanswerformorethananymortalmanwhohasplayedapartinhistory:tworepublicsandonemonarchydoestheworldowetoyou。

  andespeciallygratefulshouldyourcountrybetoyou。Didyounot,in’90,makeclearthepathforhonestRobespierre,andin’30,preparethewayfor……

  [TheEditoroftheBungayBeaconwouldinsertnomoreofthisletter,whichis,therefore,foreverlosttothepublic。]

  ONTHEFRENCHSCHOOLOFPAINTING:

  WITHAPPROPRIATEANECDOTES,ILLUSTRATIONS,ANDPHILOSOPHICAL

  DISQUISITIONS。

  INALETTERTOMR。MACGILP,OFLONDON。

  ThethreecollectionsofpicturesattheLouvre,theLuxembourg,andtheEcoledesBeauxArts,containanumberofspecimensofFrenchart,sinceitscommencementalmost,andgivethestrangeraprettyfairopportunitytostudyandappreciatetheschool。TheFrenchlistofpainterscontainssomeverygoodnames——noverygreatones,exceptPoussinunlesstheadmirersofClaudechoosetorankhimamonggreatpainters,——andIthinktheschoolwasneverinsoflourishingaconditionasitisatthepresentday。Theysaytherearethreethousandartistsinthistownalone:oftheseahandsomeminoritypaintnotmerelytolerably,butwellunderstandtheirbusiness:drawthefigureaccurately。sketchwithcleverness。

  andpaintportraits,churches,orrestaurateurs’shops,inadecentmanner。

  ToaccountforasuperiorityoverEnglandwhich,Ithink,asregardsart,isincontestable——itmustberememberedthatthepainter’strade,inFrance,isaverygoodone。betterappreciated,betterunderstood,and,generally,farbetterpaidthanwithus。

  Thereareadozenexcellentschoolswhichaladmayenterhere,and,undertheeyeofapractisedmaster,learntheapprenticeshipofhisartatanexpenseofabouttenpoundsayear。InEnglandthereisnoschoolexcepttheAcademy,unlessthestudentcanaffordtopayaverylargesum,andplacehimselfunderthetuitionofsomeparticularartist。Here,ayoungman,forhistenpounds,hasallsortsofaccessoryinstruction,models,&c……andhasfurther,andfornothing,numberlessincitementstostudyhisprofessionwhicharenottobefoundinEngland:——thestreetsarefilledwithpicture-shops,thepeoplethemselvesarepictureswalkingabout。thechurches,theatres,eating-houses,concert-roomsarecoveredwithpictures:Natureitselfisinclinedmorekindlytohim,fortheskyisathousandtimesmorebrightandbeautiful,andthesunshinesforthegreaterpartoftheyear。Addtothis,incitementsmoreselfish,butquiteaspowerful:aFrenchartistispaidveryhandsomely。forfivehundredayearismuchwhereallarepoor。andhasarankinsocietyratherabovehismeritsthanbelowthem,beingcaressedbyhostsandhostessesinplaceswheretitlesarelaughedatandabaronisthoughtofnomoreaccountthanabanker’sclerk。

  Thelifeoftheyoungartisthereistheeasiest,merriest,dirtiestexistencepossible。HecomestoParis,probablyatsixteen,fromhisprovince。hisparentssettlefortypoundsayearonhim,andpayhismaster。heestablisheshimselfinthePaysLatin,orinthenewquarterofNotreDamedeLorettewhichisquitepeopledwithpainters。hearrivesathisatelieratatolerablyearlyhour,andlaborsamongascoreofcompanionsasmerryandpoorashimself。Eachgentlemanhashisfavoritetobacco-pipe。andthepicturesarepaintedinthemidstofacloudofsmoke,andadinofpunsandchoiceFrenchslang,andaroarofchoruses,ofwhichnoonecanformanideawhohasnotbeenpresentatsuchanassembly。

  Youseehereeveryvarietyofcoiffurethathaseverbeenknown。

  Someyoungmenofgeniushaveringletshangingovertheirshoulders——youmaysmellthetobaccowithwhichtheyarescentedacrossthestreet。somehavestraightlocks,black,oily,andredundant。somehavetoupetsinthefamousLouis-Philippefashion。

  somearecroppedclose。somehaveadoptedthepresentmode——whichhewhowouldfollowmust,inordertodoso,parthishairinthemiddle,greaseitwithgrease,andgumitwithgum,andironitflatdownoverhisears。whenarrivedattheears,youtakethetongsandmakeacoupleofrangesofcurlscloseroundthewholehead,——suchcurlsasyoumayseeunderagiltthree-corneredhat,andinherBritannicMajesty’scoachman’sstatewig。

  Thisisthelastfashion。Asforthebeards,thereisnoendofthem。allmyfriendstheartistshavebeardswhocanraisethem。

  andNature,thoughshehasratherstintedthebodiesandlimbsoftheFrenchnation,hasbeenveryliberaltothemofhair,asyoumayseebythefollowingspecimen。Fancytheseheadsandbeardsunderallsortsofcaps——Chinesecaps,Mandarincaps,Greekskull-

  caps,Englishjockey-caps,RussianorKuzzilbashcaps,Middle-agecapssuchasarecalled,inheraldry,capsofmaintenance,Spanishnets,andstripedworstednightcaps。Fancyallthejacketsyouhaveeverseen,andyouhavebeforeyou,aswellaspencandescribe,thecostumesoftheseindescribableFrenchmen。

  InthiscompanyandcostumetheFrenchstudentofartpasseshisdaysandacquiresknowledge。howhepasseshisevenings,atwhattheatres,atwhatguinguettes,incompanywithwhatseducinglittlemilliner,thereisnoneedtosay。butIknewonewhopawnedhiscoattogotoacarnivalball,andwalkedabroadverycheerfullyinhisblouseforsixweeks,untilhecouldredeemtheabsentgarment。

  TheseyoungmentogetherwiththestudentsofsciencescomportthemselvestowardsthesobercitizenprettymuchastheGermanburschtowardsthephilister,orasthemilitaryman,duringtheempire,didtothepekin:——fromtheheightoftheirpovertytheylookdownuponhimwiththegreatestimaginablescorn——ascorn,I

  think,bywhichthecitizenseemsdazzled,forhisrespectfortheartsisintense。ThecaseisverydifferentinEngland,whereagrocer’sdaughterwouldthinkshemadeamisalliancebymarryingapainter,andwherealiterarymaninspiteofallwecansayagainstitranksbelowthatclassofgentrycomposedoftheapothecary,theattorney,thewine-merchant,whosepositions,incountrytownsatleast,aresoequivocal。As,forinstance,myfriendtheRev。JamesAsterisk,whohasanundeniablepedigree,apaternalestate,andalivingtoboot,oncedinedinWarwickshire,incompanywithseveralsquiresandparsonsofthatenlightenedcounty。Asterisk,asusual,madehimselfextraordinarilyagreeableatdinner,anddelightedallpresentwithhislearningandwit。

  Whoisthatmonstrouspleasantfellow?saidoneofthesquires。

  Don’tyouknow?repliedanother。It’sAsterisk,theauthorofso-and-so,andafamouscontributortosuchandsuchamagazine。

  Goodheavens!saidthesquire,quitehorrified!aliteraryman!

  Ithoughthehadbeenagentleman!

  Anotherinstance:M。Guizot,whenhewasMinisterhere,hadthegrandhoteloftheMinistry,andgaveentertainmentstoallthegreatdeparlemonde,asBrantomesays,andentertainedtheminaproperministerialmagnificence。ThesplendidandbeautifulDuchessofDashwasatoneofhisministerialparties。andwent,afortnightafterwards,asindutybound,topayherrespectstoM。

  Guizot。Butithappened,inthisfortnight,thatM。GuizotwasMinisternolonger。havinggivenuphisportfolio,andhisgrandhotel,toretireintoprivatelife,andtooccupyhishumbleapartmentsinthehousewhichhepossesses,andofwhichheletsthegreaterportion。Afriendofminewaspresentatoneoftheex-Minister’ssoirees,wheretheDuchessofDashmadeherappearance。HesaystheDuchess,atherentrance,seemedquiteastounded,andexaminedthepremiseswithamostcuriouswonder。

  Twoorthreeshabbylittlerooms,withordinaryfurniture,andaMinisterenretraite,wholivesbylettinglodgings!Inourcountrywaseversuchathingheardof?No,thankheaven!andaBritonoughttobeproudofthedifference。

  Buttoourmuttons。Thiscountryissurelytheparadiseofpaintersandpenny-a-liners。andwhenonereadsofM。HoraceVernetatRome,exceedingambassadorsatRomebyhismagnificence,andleadingsuchalifeasRubensorTitiandidofold。whenoneseesM。Thiers’sgrandvillaintheRueSt。Georgeadozenyearsagohewasnotevenapenny-a-liner:nosuchluck。whenonecontemplates,inimagination,M。Gudin,themarinepainter,toolametowalkthroughthepicture-galleryoftheLouvre,accommodated,therefore,withawheel-chair,aprivilegeofprincesonly,andaccompanied——

  nay,forwhatIknow,actuallytrundled——downthegallerybymajestyitself——whodoesnotlongtomakeoneofthegreatnation,exchangehisnativetongueforthemelodiousjabberofFrance。or,atleast,adoptitforhisnativecountry,likeMarshalSaxe,Napoleon,andAnacharsisClootz?Noblepeople!theymadeTomPaineadeputy。andasforTomMacaulay,theywouldmakeaDYNASTYofhim。

  Well,thisbeingthecase,nowondertherearesomanypaintersinFrance。andhere,atleast,wearebacktothem。AttheEcoleRoyaledesBeauxArts,youseetwoorthreehundredspecimensoftheirperformances。alltheprize-men,since1750,Ithink,beingboundtoleavetheirprizesketchorpicture。CananythinggoodcomeoutoftheRoyalAcademy?isaquestionwhichhasbeenconsiderablymootedinEnglandintheneighborhoodofSuffolkStreetespecially。ThehundredsofFrenchsamplesare,Ithink,notverysatisfactory。Thesubjectsarealmostallwhatarecalledclassical:OrestespursuedbyeveryvarietyofFuries。numbersoflittlewolf-suckingRomuluses。HectorsandAndromachesinacomplicationofpartingembraces,andsoforth。foritwastheabsurdmaximofourforefathers,thatbecausethesesubjectshadbeenthefashiontwentycenturiesago,theymustremainsoinsaeculasaeculorum。becausetotheseloftyheightsgiantshadscaled,beholdtheraceofpigmiesmustgetuponstiltsandjumpatthemlikewise!andonthecanvas,andinthetheatre,theFrenchfrogsexcusethepleasantrywereinstructedtoswelloutandroarasmuchaspossiblelikebulls。

  Whatwastheconsequence,mydearfriend?Intryingtomakethemselvesintobulls,thefrogsmakethemselvesintojackasses,asmightbeexpected。Forahundredandtenyearstheclassicalhumbugoppressedthenation。andyoumaysee,inthisgalleryoftheBeauxArts,seventyyears’specimensofthedulnesswhichitengendered。

  Now,asNaturemadeeverymanwithanoseandeyesofhisown,shegavehimacharacterofhisowntoo。andyetwe,Ofoolishrace!

  musttryourverybesttoapesomeoneortwoofourneighbors,whoseideasfitusnomorethantheirbreeches!Itisthestudyofnature,surely,thatprofitsus,andnotoftheseimitationsofher。Aman,asaman,fromadustmanuptoAeschylus,isGod’swork,andgoodtoread,asallworksofNatureare:butthesillyanimalisnevercontent。isevertryingtofititselfintoanothershape。wantstodenyitsownidentity,andhasnotthecouragetoutteritsownthoughts。BecauseLordByronwaswicked,andquarrelledwiththeworld。andfoundhimselfgrowingfat,andquarrelledwithhisvictuals,andthus,naturally,grewill-

  humored,didnothalfEuropegrowill-humoredtoo?Didnoteverypoetfeelhisyoungaffectionswithered,anddespairanddarknesscastuponhissoul?Becausecertainmightymenofoldcouldmakeheroicalstatuesandplays,mustwenotbetoldthatthereisnootherbeautybutclassicalbeauty?——mustnoteverylittlewhipsterofaFrenchpoetchalkyououtplays,Henriades,andsuch-like,andvowthatherewastherealthing,theundeniableKalon?

  Theundeniablefiddlestick!Forahundredyears,mydearsir,theworldwashumbuggedbytheso-calledclassicalartists,astheynowarebywhatiscalledtheChristianartofwhichanon。anditiscurioustolookatthepictorialtraditionsasherehandeddown。

  Theconsequenceofthemis,thatscarceoneoftheclassicalpicturesexhibitedisworthmuchmorethantwo-and-sixpence。

  Borrowedfromstatuary,inthefirstplace,thecolorofthepaintingsseems,asmuchaspossible,toparticipateinit。theyaremostlyofamisty,stonygreen,dismalhue,asiftheyhadbeenpaintedinaworldwherenocolorwas。Ineverypicture,thereare,ofcourse,whitemantles,whiteurns,whitecolumns,whitestatues——thoseobligeaccomplishmentsofthesublime。Therearetheendlessstraightnoses,longeyes,roundchins,shortupperlips,justastheyareruleddownforyouinthedrawing-books,asifthelatterweretherevelationsofbeauty,issuedbysupremeauthority,fromwhichtherewasnoappeal?Whyistheclassicalreigntoendure?WhyisyondersimperingVenusde’Medicistobeourstandardofbeauty,ortheGreektragediestoboundournotionsofthesublime?TherewasnoreasonwhyAgamemnonshouldsetthefashions,andremain[Greektextomitted]toeternity:andthereisaclassicalquotation,whichyoumayhaveoccasionallyheard,beginningVixerefortes,&c。,which,asitaversthattherewereagreatnumberofstoutfellowsbeforeAgamemnon,maynotunreasonablyinduceustoconcludethatsimilarheroesweretosucceedhim。

  ShakspearemadeabettermanwhenhisimaginationmouldedthemightyfigureofMacbeth。AndifyouwillmeasureSatanbyPrometheus,theblindoldPuritan’sworkbythatofthefieryGrecianpoet,doesnotMilton’sangelsurpassAeschylus’s——surpasshimbymanyarood?

  InthesameschooloftheBeauxArts,wherearetobefoundsuchanumberofpaleimitationsoftheantique,MonsieurThiersandheoughttobethankedforithascausedtobeplacedafull-sizedcopyofTheLastJudgmentofMichelAngelo,andanumberofcastsfromstatuesbythesamesplendidhand。ThereISthesublime,ifyouplease——anewsublime——anoriginalsublime——quiteassublimeastheGreeksublime。Seeyonder,inthemidstofhisangels,theJudgeoftheworlddescendinginglory。andnearhim,beautifulandgentle,andyetindescribablyaugustandpure,theVirginbyhisside。ThereistheMoses,thegrandestfigurethateverwascarvedinstone。Ithasaboutitsomethingfrightfullymajestic,ifonemaysospeak。Inexaminingthis,andtheastonishingpictureofTheJudgment,orevenasinglefigureofit,thespectator’ssenseamountsalmosttopain。IwouldnotliketobeleftinaroomalonewiththeMoses。Howdidtheartistliveamongstthem,andcreatethem?Howdidhesufferthepainfullaborofinvention?Onefanciesthathewouldhavebeenscorchedup,likeSemele,bysightstootremendousforhisvisiontobear。

  Onecannotimaginehim,withoursmallphysicalendowmentsandweaknesses,amanlikeourselves。

  AsfortheEcoleRoyaledesBeauxArts,then,andallthegooditsstudentshavedone,asstudents,itisstarknaught。Whenthemendidanything,itwasaftertheyhadlefttheacademy,andbeganthinkingforthemselves。Thereisonlyonepictureamongthemanyhundredsthathas,tomyidea,muchmeritacharmingcompositionofHomersinging,signedJourdy。andtheonlygoodthattheAcademyhasdonebyitspupilswastosendthemtoRome,wheretheymightlearnbetterthings。Athome,theintolerable,stupidclassicalities,taughtbymenwho,belongingtotheleasteruditecountryinEurope,werethemselves,fromtheirprofession,theleastlearnedamongtheircountrymen,onlyweighedthepupilsdown,andcrampedtheirhands,theireyes,andtheirimaginations。drovethemawayfromnaturalbeauty,which,thankGod,isfreshandattainablebyusall,to-day,andyesterday,andto-morrow。andsentthemramblingafterartificialgrace,withoutthepropermeansofjudgingorattainingit。

  AwordforthebuildingofthePalaisdesBeauxArts。Itisbeautiful,andaswellfinishedandconvenientasbeautiful。Withitslightandelegantfabric,itsprettyfountain,itsarchwayoftheRenaissance,andfragmentsofsculpture,youcanhardlysee,onafineday,aplacemoreriantandpleasing。

  PassingfromthenceupthepicturesqueRuedeSeine,letuswalktotheLuxembourg,wherebonnes,students,grisettes,andoldgentlemenwithpigtails,lovetowanderinthemelancholy,quaintoldgardens。wherethepeershaveanewandcomfortablecourtofjustice,tojudgealltheemeuteswhicharetotakeplace。andwhere,aseverybodyknows,isthepicture-galleryofmodernFrenchartists,whomgovernmentthinksworthyofpatronage。

  Averygreatproportionofthepictures,asweseebythecatalogue,arebythestudentswhoseworkswehavejustbeentovisitattheBeauxArts,andwho,havingperformedtheirpilgrimagetoRome,havetakenrankamongtheprofessorsoftheart。Idon’tknowamorepleasingexhibition。fortherearenotadozenreallybadpicturesinthecollection,someverygood,andtherestshowinggreatskillandsmartnessofexecution。

  Inthesameway,however,thatithasbeensupposedthatnomancouldbeagreatpoetunlesshewroteaverybigpoem,thetraditioniskeptupamongthepainters,andwehavehereavastnumberoflargecanvases,withfiguresoftheproperheroicallengthandnakedness。TheanticlassicistsdidnotariseinFranceuntilabout1827。and,inconsequence,uptothatperiod,wehaveheretheoldclassicalfaithinfullvigor。ThereisBrutus,havingchoppedhisson’sheadoff,withalltheagonyofafather,andthen,callingfornumbertwo。thereisAeneascarryingoffoldAnchises。thereareParisandVenus,asnakedastwoHottentots,andmanymoresuchchoicesubjectsfromLempriere。

  Butthechiefspecimensofthesublimeareinthewayofmurders,withwhichthecatalogueswarms。Hereareafewextractsfromit:——

  7。Beaume,ChevalierdelaLegiond’Honneur。TheGrandDauphinessDying。

  18。Blondel,Chevalierdela,&c。ZenobiafoundDead。

  36。Debay,Chevalier。TheDeathofLucretia。

  38。Dejuinne。TheDeathofHector。

  34。Court,Chevalierdela,&c。TheDeathofCaesar。

  39,40,41。Delacroix,Chevalier。DanteandVirgilintheInfernalLake,TheMassacreofScio,andMedeagoingtoMurderherChildren。

  43。Delaroche,Chevalier。JoastakenfromamongtheDead。

  44。TheDeathofQueenElizabeth。

  45。EdwardV。andhisBrotherpreparingfordeath。

  50。HecubagoingtobeSacrificed。Drolling,Chevalier。

  51。Dubois。YoungClovisfoundDead。

  56。Henry,Chevalier。TheMassacreofSt。Bartholomew。

  75。Guerin,Chevalier。Cain,aftertheDeathofAbel。

  83。Jacquand。DeathofAdelaidedeComminges。

  88。TheDeathofEudamidas。

  93。TheDeathofHymetto。

  103。TheDeathofPhilipofAustria——Andsoon。

  Youseewhatwofulsubjectstheytake,andhowprofuselytheyaredecoratedwithknighthood。TheyareliketheBlackBrunswickers,thesepainters,andoughttobecalledChevaliersdelaMort。I

  don’tknowwhythemerriestpeopleintheworldshouldpleasethemselveswithsuchgrimrepresentationsandvarietiesofmurder,orwhymurderitselfshouldbeconsideredsoeminentlysublimeandpoetical。Itisgoodattheendofatragedy。but,then,itisgoodbecauseitistheend,andbecause,bytheeventsforegone,themindispreparedforit。Butthesemenwillhavenothingbutfifthacts。andseemtoskip,asunworthy,allthecircumstancesleadingtothem。This,however,ispartofthescheme——thebloated,unnatural,stilted,spouting,shamsublime,thatourteachershavebelievedandtriedtopassoffasreal,andwhichyourhumbleservantandotherantihumbuggistsshouldheartily,accordingtothestrengththatisinthem,endeavortopulldown。

  What,forinstance,couldMonsieurLafondcareaboutthedeathofEudamidas?WhatwasHecubatoChevalierDrolling,orChevalierDrollingtoHecuba?Iwouldlayawagerthatneitherofthemeverconjugated[Greektextomitted],andthattheirschoollearningcarriedthemnotasfarastheletter,butonlytothegameoftaw。

  Howweretheytobeinspiredbysuchsubjects?FromhavingseenTalmaandMademoiselleGeorgesflauntinginshamGreekcostumes,andhavingreadupthearticlesEudamidas,Hecuba,intheMythologicalDictionary。Whataclassicism,inspiredbyrouge,gas-lamps,andafewlinesinLempriere,andcopied,halffromancientstatues,andhalffromanakedguardsmanatoneshillingandsixpencethehour!

  Delacroixisamanofaverydifferentgenius,andhisMedeaisagenuinecreationofanoblefancy。Formostoftheothers,Mrs。

  Brownrigg,andhertwofemale’prentices,wouldhavedoneaswellasthedesperateColchianwithher[Greektextomitted]。M。

  Delacroixhasproducedanumberofrude,barbarouspictures。butthereisthestampofgeniusonallofthem,——thegreatpoeticalINTENTION,whichisworthallyourexecution。Delarocheisanothermanofhighmerit。withnotsuchagreatHEART,perhaps,astheother,butafineandcarefuldraughtsman,andanexcellentarrangerofhissubject。TheDeathofElizabethisarawyoungperformanceseemingly——not,atleast,tomytaste。TheEnfansd’EdouardisrenownedoverEurope,andhasappearedinahundreddifferentwaysinprint。Itisproperlypatheticandgloomy,andmeritsfullyitshighreputation。Thispainterrejoicesinsuchsubjects——inwhatLordPortsmouthusedtocallblackjobs。HehaskilledCharlesI。andLadyJaneGrey,andtheDukesofGuise,andIdon’tknowwhombesides。Heis,atpresent,occupiedwithavastworkattheBeauxArts,wherethewriterofthishadthehonorofseeinghim,——alittle,keen-lookingman,somefivefeetinheight。Hewore,onthisimportantoccasion,abandannaroundhishead,andwasintheactofsmokingacigar。

  HoraceVernet,whosebeautifuldaughterDelarochemarried,isthekingofFrenchbattle-painters——anamazinglyrapidanddexterousdraughtsman,whohasNapoleonandallthecampaignsbyheart,andhaspaintedtheGrenadierFrancaisunderallsortsofattitudes。

  Hispicturesonsuchsubjectsarespirited,natural,andexcellent。

  andheissocleveraman,thatallhedoesisgoodtoacertaindegree。HisJudithissomewhatviolent,perhaps。HisRebecca

  mostpleasing。andnotthelesssoforalittleprettyaffectationofattitudeandneedlesssingularityofcostume。RaphaelandMichaelAngeloisascleverapictureascanbe——cleverisjusttheword——thegroupsanddrawingexcellent,thecoloringpleasantlybrightandgaudy。andtheFrenchstudentsstudyitincessantly。

  thereareadozenwhocopyitforonewhocopiesDelacroix。Hislittlescrapsofwood-cuts,inthenowpublishingLifeofNapoleon,areperfectgemsintheirway,andthenoblepricepaidforthemnotapennymorethanhemerits。

  Thepicture,byCourt,ofTheDeathofCaesar,isremarkableforeffectandexcellentworkmanship:andtheheadofBrutuswholookslikeArmandCarrelisfullofenergy。Therearesomebeautifulheadsofwomen,andsomeverygoodcolorinthepicture。

  Jacquand’sDeathofAdelaidedeCommingesisneithermorenorlessthanbeautiful。Adelaidehad,itappears,alover,whobetookhimselftoaconventofTrappists。Shefollowedhimthither,disguisedasaman,tookthevows,andwasnotdiscoveredbyhimtillonherdeath-bed。Thepainterhastoldthisstoryinamostpleasingandaffectingmanner:thepictureisfullofonctionandmelancholygrace。Theobjects,too,arecapitallyrepresented。andthetoneandcolorverygood。Decaisne’sGuardianAngelisnotsogoodincolor,butisequallybeautifulinexpressionandgrace。

  Alittlechildandanurseareasleep:anangelwatchestheinfant。

  Youseewomenlookverywistfullyatthissweetpicture。andwhattriumphwouldapainterhavemore?

  WemustnotquittheLuxembourgwithoutnoticingthedashingsea-

  piecesofGudin,andoneortwolandscapesbyGirouxtheplainofGrasivaudan,andThePrometheusofAligny。Thisisanimitation,perhaps。asisanoblepictureofJesusChristandtheChildren,byFlandrin:buttheartistsareimitatingbettermodels,atanyrate。andonebeginstoperceivethattheodiousclassicaldynastyisnomore。Poussin’smagnificentPolyphemus

  Ionlyknowaprintofthatmarvellouscompositionhas,perhaps,suggestedthefirst-namedpicture。andthelatterhasbeeninspiredbyagoodenthusiasticstudyoftheRomanschools。

  Ofthisrevolution,MonsieurIngreshasbeenoneofthechiefinstruments。Hewas,beforeHoraceVernet,presidentoftheFrenchAcademyatRome,andisfamousasachiefofaschool。Whenhebrokeuphisatelierhere,tosetoutforhispresidency,manyofhispupilsattendedhimfaithfullysomewayonhisjourney。andsome,withscarcelyapennyintheirpouches,walkedthroughFranceandacrosstheAlps,inapiouspilgrimagetoRome,beingdeterminednottoforsaketheiroldmaster。Suchanactionwasworthyofthem,andofthehighrankwhichtheirprofessionholdsinFrance,wherethehonorstobeacquiredbyartareonlyinferiortothosewhicharegainedinwar。Onereadsofsuchperegrinationsinolddays,whenthescholarsofsomegreatItalianpainterfollowedhimfromVenicetoRome,orfromFlorencetoFerrara。InregardofIngres’sindividualmeritasapainter,thewriterofthisisnotafairjudge,havingseenbutthreepicturesbyhim。

  onebeingaplafondintheLouvre,whichhisdisciplesmuchadmire。

  IngresstandsbetweentheImperio-Davido-classicalschoolofFrenchart,andthenamby-pambymysticalGermanschool,whichisforcarryingusbacktoCranachandDurer,andwhichismakingprogresshere。

  Foreverythingherefindsimitation:theFrenchhavethegeniusofimitationandcaricature。Thisabsurdhumbug,calledtheChristianorCatholicart,issuretotickleourneighbors,andwillbeafavoritewiththem,whenbetterknown。MydearMacGilp,IdobelievethistobeagreaterhumbugthanthehumbugofDavidandGirodet,inasmuchasthelatterwasfoundedonNatureatleast。

  whereastheformerismadeupofsillyaffectations,andimprovementsuponNature。Here,forinstance,isChevalierZiegler’spictureofSt。LukepaintingtheVirgin。St。Lukehasamonk’sdresson,embroidered,however,smartlyroundthesleeves。

  TheVirginsitsinanimmenseyellow-ochrehalo,withhersoninherarms。Shelookspreternaturallysolemn。asdoesSt。Luke,whoiseyinghispaint-brushwithanintenseominousmysticallook。

  TheycallthisCatholicart。Thereisnothing,mydearfriend,moreeasyinlife。Firsttakeyourcolors,andrubthemdownclean,——brightcarmine,brightyellow,brightsienna,brightultramarine,brightgreen。Makethecostumesofyourfiguresasmuchaspossiblelikethecostumesoftheearlypartofthefifteenthcentury。Painttheminwiththeabovecolors。andifonagoldground,themoreCatholicyourartis。Dressyourapostleslikepriestsbeforethealtar。andremembertohaveagoodcommodityofcrosiers,censers,andothersuchgimcracks,asyoumayseeintheCatholicchapels,inSuttonStreetandelsewhere。

  DealinVirgins,anddressthemlikeaburgomaster’swifebyCranachorVanEyck。Givethemalllongtwistedtailstotheirgowns,andproperangulardraperies。Placealltheirheadsononeside,withtheeyesshut,andthepropersolemnsimper。Atthebackofthehead,draw,andgildwithgold-leaf,ahaloorglory,oftheexactshapeofacart-wheel:andyouhavethethingdone。

  ItisCatholicarttoutcrache,asLouisPhilippesays。WehaveitstillinEngland,handeddowntousforfourcenturies,inthepicturesonthecards,astheredoubtablekingandqueenofclubs。

  Lookatthem:youwillseethatthecostumesandattitudesarepreciselysimilartothosewhichfigureinthecatholicitiesoftheschoolofOverbeckandCornelius。

  Beforeyoutakeyourcaneatthedoor,lookforoneinstantatthestatue-room。YonderisJouffley’sJeuneFilleconfiantsonpremiersecretaVenus。Charming,charming!Itisfromtheexhibitionofthisyearonly。andIthinkthebestsculptureinthegallery——pretty,fanciful,naive。admirableinworkmanshipandimitationofNature。Ihaveseldomseenfleshbetterrepresentedinmarble。Examine,also,Jaley’sPudeur,Jacquot’sNymph,andRude’sBoywiththeTortoise。Thesearenotveryexaltedsubjects,orwhatarecalledexalted,anddonotgobeyondsimple,smilingbeautyandnature。Butwhatthen?Arewegods,Miltons,MichelAngelos,thatcanleaveearthwhenweplease。andsoartoheightsimmeasurable?No,mydearMacGilp。butthefoolsofacademicianswouldfainmakeusso。Areyounot,andhalfthepaintersinLondon,pantingforanopportunitytoshowyourgeniusinagreathistoricalpicture?Oblindrace!Haveyouwings?

  Notafeather:andyetyoumustbeeverpuffing,sweatinguptothetopsofruggedhills。and,arrivedthere,clappingandshakingyourraggedelbows,andmakingasifyouwouldfly!Comedown,sillyDaedalus。comedowntothelowlyplacesinwhichNatureorderedyoutowalk。Thesweetflowersarespringingthere。thefatmuttonsarewaitingthere。thepleasantsunshinesthere。becontentandhumble,andtakeyourshareofthegoodcheer。

  Whilewehavebeenindulginginthisdiscussion,theomnibushasgaylyconductedusacrossthewater。andlegardequiveillealaporteduLouvrenedefendpasourentry。

  WhataparadisethisgalleryisforFrenchstudents,orforeignerswhosojourninthecapital!ItishardlynecessarytosaythatthebrethrenofthebrusharenotusuallysuppliedbyFortunewithanyextraordinarywealth,ormeansofenjoyingtheluxurieswithwhichParis,morethananyothercity,abounds。Butheretheyhavealuxurywhichsurpassesallothers,andspendtheirdaysinapalacewhichallthemoneyofalltheRothschildscouldnotbuy。Theysleep,perhaps,inagarret,anddineinacellar。butnograndeeinEuropehassuchadrawing-room。Kings’houseshave,atbest,butdamaskhangings,andgiltcornices。WhatarethesetoawallcoveredwithcanvasbyPaulVeronese,orahundredyardsofRubens?

  ArtistsfromEngland,whohaveanationalgallerythatresemblesamoderate-sizedgin-shop,whomaynotcopypictures,exceptunderparticularrestrictions,andonrareandparticulardays,mayrevelheretotheirhearts’content。Hereisaroomhalfamilelong,withasmanywindowsasAladdin’spalace,openfromsunrisetillevening,andfreetoallmannersandallvarietiesofstudy:theonlypuzzletothestudentistoselecttheoneheshallbeginupon,andkeephiseyesawayfromtherest。

  Fontaine’sgrandstaircase,withitsarches,andpaintedceilingsandshiningDoriccolumns,leadsdirectlytothegallery。butitisthoughttoofineforworkingdays,andisonlyopenedforthepublicentranceonSabbath。Alittlebackstairleadingfromacourt,inwhichstandnumerousbas-reliefs,andasolemnsphinx,ofpolishedgranite,isthecommonentryforstudentsandothers,who,duringtheweek,enterthegallery。

  HitherhavelatelybeentransportedanumberoftheworksofFrenchartists,whichformerlycoveredthewallsoftheLuxembourgdeathonlyentitlestheFrenchpaintertoaplaceintheLouvre。andletusconfineourselvestotheFrenchmenonly,forthespaceofthisletter。

  Ihaveseen,inafineprivatecollectionatSt。Germain,oneortwoadmirablesinglefiguresofDavid,fulloflife,truth,andgayety。Thecolorisnotgood,butalltherestexcellent。andoneofthesesomuch-laudedpicturesistheportraitofawasher-woman。

  PopePius,attheLouvre,isasbadincolorasremarkableforitsvigorandlookoflife。Themanhadageniusforpaintingportraitsandcommonlife,butmustattempttheheroic——failedsignally。andwhatisworse,carriedawholenationblunderingafterhim。HadyoutoldaFrenchmanso,twentyyearsago,hewouldhavethrownthedementiinyourteeth。or,atleast,laughedatyouinscornfulincredulity。Theysayofusthatwedon’tknowwhenwearebeaten:theygoastepfurther,andsweartheirdefeatsarevictories。Davidwasapartofthegloryoftheempire。andonemightaswellhavesaidthenthatRomuluswasabadpicture,asthatToulousewasalostbattle。Old-fashionedpeople,whobelieveintheEmperor,believeintheTheatreFrancais,andbelievethatDucisimproveduponShakspeare,havetheaboveopinion。Still,itiscurioustoremark,inthisplace,howartandliteraturebecomepartymatters,andpoliticalsectshavetheirfavoritepaintersandauthors。

  Nevertheless,JacquesLouisDavidisdead,hediedaboutayearafterhisbodilydemisein1825。Theromanticismkilledhim。

  WalterScott,fromhisCastleofAbbotsford,sentoutatroopofgallantyoungScotchadventurers,merryoutlaws,valiantknights,andsavageHighlanders,who,withtrunkhosenandbuffjerkins,fiercetwo-handedswords,andharnessontheirback,didchallenge,combat,andovercometheheroesanddemigodsofGreeceandRome。

  NotreDamealarescousse!SirBriandeBoisGuilberthasborneHectorofTroyclearoutofhissaddle。Andromachemayweep:butherspouseisbeyondthereachofphysic。See!RobinHoodtwangshisbow,andtheheathengodsfly,howling。MontjoieSaintDenis!

  downgoesAjaxunderthemaceofDunois。andyonderareLeonidasandRomulusbeggingtheirlivesofRobRoyMacgregor。Classicismisdead。SirJohnFroissarthastakenDr。Lemprierebythenose,andreignssovereign。

  OfthegreatpicturesofDavidthedefunct,weneednot,then,saymuch。Romulusisamightyfineyoungfellow,nodoubt。andifhehascomeouttobattlestarknakedexceptaveryhandsomehelmet,itisbecausethecostumebecamehim,andshowsoffhisfiguretoadvantage。Butwasthereeveranythingsoabsurdasthispassionforthenude,whichwasfollowedbyallthepaintersoftheDavidianepoch?Andhowarewetosupposeyonderstraddletobethetruecharacteristicoftheheroicandthesublime?Romulusstretcheshislegsasfarasevernaturewillallow。theHoratii,inreceivingtheirswords,thinkpropertostretchtheirlegstoo,andtothrustforwardtheirarms,thus,——

  [Drawingomitted]

  Romulus’sisintheexactactionofatelegraph。andtheHoratiiareallinthepositionofthelunge。Isthisthesublime?Mr。

  Angelo,ofBondStreet,mightadmiretheattitude。hisnamesake,Michel,Idon’tthinkwould。

  ThelittlepictureofParisandHelen,oneofthemaster’searliest,Ibelieve,islikewiseoneofhisbest:thedetailsareexquisitelypainted。Helenlooksneedlesslysheepish,andParishasamostodiousogle。butthelimbsofthemalefigurearebeautifullydesigned,andhavenotthegreentonewhichyouseeinthelaterpicturesofthemaster。Whatisthemeaningofthisgreen?Wasitthefashion,orthevarnish?Girodet’spicturesaregreen。Gros’semperorsandgrenadiershaveuniversallythejaundice。Gerard’sPsychehasamostdecidedgreen-sickness。andIamataloss,Iconfess,toaccountfortheenthusiasmwhichthisperformanceinspiredonitsfirstappearancebeforethepublic。

  InthesameroomwithitisGirodet’sghastlyDeluge,andGericault’sdismalMedusa。Gericaultdied,theysay,forwantoffame。Hewasamanwhopossessedaconsiderablefortuneofhisown。butpinedbecausenooneinhisdaywouldpurchasehispictures,andsoacknowledgehistalent。Atpresent,ascrawlfromhispencilbringsanenormousprice。Allhisworkshaveagrandcachet:heneverdidanythingmean。WhenhepaintedtheRaftoftheMedusa,itissaidhelivedforalongtimeamongthecorpseswhichhepainted,andthathisstudiowasasecondMorgue。Ifyouhavenotseenthepicture,youarefamiliarprobably,withReynolds’sadmirableengravingofit。Ahugeblacksea。araftbeatinguponit。ahorridcompanyofmendead,halfdead,writhingandfranticwithhideoushungerorhideoushope。and,faraway,black,againstastormysunset,asail。Thestoryispowerfullytold,andhasalegitimatetragicinterest,sotospeak,——deeper,becausemorenatural,thanGirodet’sgreenDeluge,forinstance:

  orhislividOrestes,orred-hotClytemnestra。

  Seenfromadistancethelatter’sDelugehasacertainawe-

  inspiringairwithit。Aslimygreenmanstandsonagreenrock,andclutchesholdofatree。Onthegreenman’sshouldersishisoldfather,inagreenoldage。tohimhangshiswife,withababeonherbreast,anddanglingatherhair,anotherchild。Inthewaterfloatsacorpseabeautifulheadandagreenseaandatmosphereenvelopsallthisdismalgroup。Theoldfatherisrepresentedwithabagofmoneyinhishand。andthetree,whichthemancatches,iscracking,andjustonthepointofgivingway。

  Thesetwopointswereconsideredveryfinebythecritics:theyaretwosuchghastlyepigramsascontinuallydisfigureFrenchTragedy。

  ForthisreasonIhaveneverbeenabletoreadRacinewithpleasure,——thedialogueissocrammedwiththeselugubriousgoodthings——melancholyantitheses——sparklingundertakers’wit。butthisisheresy,andhadbetterbespokendiscreetly。

  ThegallerycontainsavastnumberofPoussin’spictures。theyputmeinmindofthecolorofobjectsindreams,——astrange,hazy,luridhue。Hownoblearesomeofhislandscapes!Whatadepthofsolemnshadowisinyonderwood,nearwhich,bythesideofablackwater,haltsDiogenes。Theairisthunder-laden,andbreathesheavily。Youhearominouswhispersinthevastforestgloom。

  Nearitisalandscape,byCarelDujardin,Ibelieve,conceivedinquiteadifferentmood,butexquisitelypoeticaltoo。Ahorsemanisridingupahill,andgivingmoneytoablowsybeggar-wench。

  Omatutiniroresauraequesalubres!inwhatawonderfulwayhastheartistmanagedtocreateyououtofafewbladdersofpaintandpotsofvarnish。Youcanseethematutinaldewstwinklinginthegrass,andfeelthefresh,salubriousairsthebreathofNatureblowingfree,asthecorn-lawmansingsblowingfreeovertheheath。silveryvaporsarerisingupfromthebluelowlands。Youcantellthehourofthemorningandthetimeoftheyear:youcandoanythingbutdescribeitinwords。AswithregardtothePoussinabovementioned,onecanneverpassitwithoutbearingawayacertainpleasing,dreamyfeelingofaweandmusing。theotherlandscapeinspiresthespectatorinfalliblywiththemostdelightfulbrisknessandcheerfulnessofspirit。Hereinliesthevastprivilegeofthelandscape-painter:hedoesnotaddressyouwithonefixedparticularsubjectorexpression,butwithathousandnevercontemplatedbyhimself,andwhichonlyariseoutofoccasion。Youmayalwaysbelookingatanaturallandscapeasatafinepictorialimitationofone。itseemseternallyproducingnewthoughtsinyourbosom,asitdoesfreshbeautiesfromitsown。I

  cannotfancymoredelightful,cheerful,silentcompanionsforamanthanhalfadozenlandscapeshungroundhisstudy。Portraits,onthecontrary,andlargepiecesoffigures,haveapainful,fixed,staringlook,whichmustjaruponthemindinmanyofitsmoods。

  FancylivinginaroomwithDavid’ssans-culotteLeonidasstaringperpetuallyinyourface!

  ThereisalittleWatteauhere,andararepieceoffantasticalbrightnessandgayetyitis。Whatadelightfulaffectationaboutyonderladiesflirtingtheirfans,andtrailingaboutintheirlongbrocades!Whatsplendiddandiesarethose,ever-smirking,turningouttheirtoes,withbroadblueribbonstotieuptheircrooksandtheirpigtails,andwonderfulgorgeouscrimsonsatinbreeches!

  Yonder,inthemidstofagoldenatmosphere,risesabevyoflittleroundCupids,bubblingupinclustersasoutofachampagne-bottle,andmeltingawayinair。Thereis,tobesure,ahiddenanalogybetweenliquorsandpictures:theeyeisdeliciouslytickledbythesefriskyWatteaus,andyieldsitselfuptoalight,smiling,gentlemanlikeintoxication。Thus,wereweinclinedtopursuefurtherthismightysubject,yonderlandscapeofClaude,——calm,fresh,delicate,yetfullofflavor,——shouldbelikenedtoabottleofChateauMargaux。AndwhatisthePoussinbeforespokenofbutRomaneeGelee?——heavy,sluggish,——thelusciousodoralmostsickensyou。asultrysortofdrink。yourlimbssinkunderit。youfeelasifyouhadbeendrinkinghotblood。

  Anordinarymanwouldbewhirledawayinafever,orwouldhobbleoffthismortalstageinaprematuregout-fit,ifhetooearlyortoooftenindulgedinsuchtremendousdrink。IthinkinmyheartIamfonderofprettythird-ratepicturesthanofyourgreatthunderingfirst-rates。ConfesshowmanytimesyouhavereadBeranger,andhowmanyMilton?IfyougototheStarandGarter,

  don’tyougrowsickofthatvast,lusciouslandscape,andlongforthesightofacoupleofcows,oradonkey,andafewyardsofcommon?Donkeys,mydearMacGilp,sincewehavecometothissubject,saynotso。RichmondHillforthem。Miltontheynevergrowtiredof。andareasfamiliarwithRaphaelasBottomwithexquisiteTitania。Letusthankheaven,mydearsir,foraccordingtousthepowertotasteandappreciatethepleasuresofmediocrity。Ihaveneverheardthatweweregreatgeniuses。

  Earthyarewe,andoftheearth。glimpsesofthesublimearebutraretous。leavewethemtogreatgeniuses,andtothedonkeys。

  andifitnothingprofitusaeriastentassedomosalongwiththem,letusthankfullyremainbelow,beingmerryandhumble。

  IhavenowonlytomentionthecharmingCrucheCasseeofGreuze,whichalltheyoungladiesdelighttocopy。andofwhichthecolorathoughttooblue,perhapsismarvellouslygracefulanddelicate。Therearethreemorepicturesbytheartist,containingexquisitefemaleheadsandcolor。buttheyhavecharmsforFrenchcriticswhicharedifficulttobediscoveredbyEnglisheyes。andthepicturesseemweaktome。AveryfinepicturebyBonBollongue,SaintBenedictresuscitatingaChild,deservesparticularattention,andissuperbinvigorandrichnessofcolor。

  Youmustlook,too,atthelarge,noble,melancholylandscapesofPhilippedeChampagne。andthetwomagnificentItalianpicturesofLeopoldRobert:theyare,perhaps,theveryfinestpicturesthattheFrenchschoolhasproduced,——asdeepasPoussin,ofabettercolor,andofawonderfulminutenessandveracityintherepresentationofobjects。

  EveryoneofLesueur’schurch-picturesisworthexaminingandadmiring。theyarefullofunctionandpiousmysticalgrace。

  SaintScholasticaisdivine。andtheTakingdownfromtheCross

  asnobleacompositionaseverwasseen。Icarenotbywhomtheothermaybe。Thereismorebeauty,andlessaffectation,aboutthispicturethanyouwillfindintheperformancesofmanyItalianmasters,withhigh-soundingnamesoutwithit,andsayRAPHAELatonce。IhatethosesimperingMadonnas。IdeclarethattheJardiniereisapuking,smirkingmiss,withnothingheavenlyabouther。IvowthattheSaintElizabethisabadpicture,——abadcomposition,badlydrawn,badlycolored,inabadimitationofTitian,——apieceofvileaffectation。Isay,thatwhenRaphaelpaintedthispicturetwoyearsbeforehisdeath,thespiritofpaintinghadgonefromoutofhim。hewasnolongerinspired。IT

  WASTIMETHATHESHOULDDIE!!

  There,——themurderisout!Mypaperisfilledtothebrim,andthereisnotimetospeakofLesueur’sCrucifixion,whichisodiouslycolored,tobesure。butearnest,tender,simple,holy。

  Butsuchthingsaremostdifficulttotranslateintowords——onelaysdownthepen,andthinksandthinks。Thefiguresappear,andtaketheirplacesonebyone:rangingthemselvesaccordingtoorder,inlightoringloom,thecolorsarereflecteddulyinthelittlecameraobscuraofthebrain,andthewholepictureliestherecomplete。butcanyoudescribeit?No,notifpenswerefitch-brushes,andwordswerebladdersofpaint。Withwhich,forthepresent,adieu。

  YourfaithfulM。A。T。

  ToMr。ROBERTMACGILP,NEWMANSTREET,LONDON。

  THEPAINTER’SBARGAIN。

  SimonGambougewasthesonofSolomonGambouge。andasalltheworldknows,bothfatherandsonwereastonishinglycleverfellowsattheirprofession。Solomonpaintedlandscapes,whichnobodybought。andSimontookahigherline,andpaintedportraitstoadmiration,onlynobodycametosittohim。

  Ashewasnotgainingfivepoundsayearbyhisprofession,andhadarrivedattheageoftwenty,atleast,Simondeterminedtobetterhimselfbytakingawife,——aplanwhichanumberofotherwisemenadopt,insimilaryearsandcircumstances。SoSimonprevaileduponabutcher’sdaughtertowhomheowedconsiderablyforcutletstoquitthemeat-shopandfollowhim。Griskinissa——suchwasthefaircreature’sname——wasaslovelyabitofmutton,herfathersaid,aseveramanwouldwishtostickaknifeinto。Shehadsattothepainterforallsortsofcharacters。andthecuriouswhopossessanyofGambouge’spictureswillseeherasVenus,Minerva,Madonna,andinnumberlessothercharacters:Portraitofalady——

  Griskinissa。SleepingNymph——Griskinissa,withoutaragofclothes,lyinginaforest。MaternalSolicitude——Griskinissaagain,withyoungMasterGambouge,whowasbythistimetheoffspringoftheiraffections。

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