certainly before the public, without suing and begging for accomodation on the walls of Royalty, dealt out by the Acadamecians; or on walls maintained at the cost of their brother artists, as at Suffolk-Street. They have therefore entered into arrangements so as to hold an Exhibition of Pictures at the fine rooms so many years known as the Chinese Gallery, Hyde Park corner. The wall is divided, and let at so much per foot, to any artist of merit who may wish to profit by this excellent opportunity of placing his own pictures on the line, and thus reduce the heart-breaking chances at other exhibitions, to a certainty in this. It is in fact paying a little more rent, to extend the walls of his own studio. We We are informed that a large number of talented artists have taken space, and with an active committee, we have no doubt that it will produce a great benefit to artists. One circumstance will tell much for this exhibition. It is, that the council of the Art-Union of London, have signified their intention of placing the new exhibition upon the list of places from whence Art-Union prize-holders may select works. understand this exhibition will open on the 24th of April, and from its situation, near the Palace, Belgrave Square, and the localities where the nobility and gentry reside, we are inclined to think it will be found a good one for the purpose; added to which, the room is well known, and as the committee intend to open the exhibition free to the public for six weeks, it is fair to infer that an artist's works will be seen by the patrons of art, both in high and low ranks of society. By the prospectus it appears also, that after the close of the exhibition of Fine Arts, the gallery will be opened with an exposition of Industrial Arts and Manufactures;-certainly this noble gallery affords an opportunity for an exhibition of this sort, superior to any other place in London. We most cordially wish these propositions every success that the liberality of the plans deserve. Pictures are to be sent to the Royal Academy on the first Monday and Tuesday in April, and the exhibition will open on the first Monday in May. We hear that great exertions are being made, and it is stated that the coming exhibition will be above the average of talent. The New Water Colour exhibition in Pall Mall has lost some of its strength, by the withdrawal of four members of that body, whose works were large, and attractive in the gal lery. It is to be lamented, that circumstances (of whatever nature they may be,) should have induced these gentlemen to withdraw from an institution where they made and established their reputation. It is, however, not so serious as it might have been some years ago—there being still plenty of talent left in that institution. We are informed three of these artists have been elected into the Old Society of Painters in Water Colours. A conversazione, being one of a series, was held at the Institute of the Fine Arts, Great Marlborough Street, on Saturday evening; to which a considerable number of fine pictures by our greatest artists were contributed, by the kindness of their proprietors; also a large collection of sketches, and studies from nature, by different artists. The rooms were exceedingly crowded, in consequence of the large attendance of distinguished visitors, and the members of the institute. The collection of fine works appeared to give great satisfaction to the company, and the soiree was considered to be as interesting as any of those preceding it. The pictures sent this year for exhibition to the Society of British Artists, have been very numerous; far beyond the accomodation which their rooms afford. This, we apprehend, is in consequence of the removal of the odious tax of five shillings upon each exhibitor, and also from the adoption of some plans of a more liberal character than those adopted by this body for the last few years. The exhibition will open early in April. A WORD WITH JOHN BULL. MY DEAR JOHN I am an Englishman, and have never been ashamed of owning it till now; when, I confess, your conduct has made me rather ashamed of my country. It has always been a boast of yours, you know, John, that yours was a free country. By this, we suppose you mean that people may come to or go from these islands without molestation; and that the moment they step upon your shores "free." -whatever they may have been before they are Very good! Apparently from this view of the case, you have just received a visit from a continental neighbour, who, having so grievously misbehaved himself in his own country, that the people would not tolerate his presence, has sought your "hospitable shores," and (if the morning papers are to trusted to) blessed his stars when he got there. Some time ago, you recollect having to receive this very same individual under very different circumstances; and to do you justice, John, you have made very little difference in your mode of receiving this individual, whether he comes to you with a crowned head, or a crownless hat. On both occasions-it certainly must be put to your credit, John, as a Christianyou have held open your arms to this Frenchman, whether he comes to you in the ermine and ruffles of royalty, or the plain pea-coat of John Smith. Beyond a doubt, my dear John, this proves that your heart is in its right place; and it redounds much to your honour, that you have not allowed circumstances to alter 66 your regard for the man : Toujours le meme,” seems to have been your motto on this occasion. But you know, John, there are two ways of doing everything-a right and a wrong; and, whilst there is not a doubt that you were perfectly correct in your reception of your sovereign's royal guest some months back, it may very reasonably doubted whether you were right in harbouring a disgraced runaway, who is only making a tool of you for his own purposes. Time will prove, John, time will It's all very prove. well talking about the respect which one should have for fallen greatness, and all that sort of thing; and it's all right enough to show a proper degree of respect for the unfortunate who have seen better days; but, for my part, before I take a lodger I always require a reference-and you should do the sanie, John, if yon mean to keep the place respectable. But notwithstanding your unsuspecting openness in spreading forth your arms to receive and succour this distressed and needy Frenchman, between ourselves John, you cannot fail to observe that he has played his cards well, and somehow or other has made you turn up trumps. We all know how simple hearted you are, and that in order to produce an effect upon your gullible mind-pardon me John, I mean no offence, it was only necessary for him to throw up his hands and eyes towards the stars, and, in a sort of dramatic "aside" ---which is said loud enough for everybody to hear,--to exclaim "thank Heaven I'm on English ground." And what is the result? The compliment is more than you can stand,---the tears come into your eyes, and you are obliged to bring your bandanna to the rescue. But we will revert to what happened on a late occasion. "John Smith " betakes himself to the nearest Inn, where it seems the first thing he does, is to wash himself. But before he has had time to scrape the lather from his chin, Jones arrives to have a gape at the " fallen " monarch. "On send ing in his card," says one of the local prints, "Mr. Jones was immediately summoned to the presence of his Majesty, whom he found partly undressed, enjoying a refreshing toilet after his voyage. We are not told whether Jones concluded the fallen monarch's toilet or not, but no doubt he assisted in the matter, as it is not likely that John Smith would sit without his clothes all the time. Well, Jones having bowed himself out, up comes Tomkins. After Tomkins comes Popkins, and so on, till all the snobs of the place have had a grip from the fist of John Smith. Another comes, the Reverend Doctor Dumpus, with all the letters of the alphabet behind his name. He is followed by a tribe of "ladies and gentlemen" all crazy to stare at the unfortunate John Smith, who cannot even smoke his pipe quietly after a somewhat unpleasant journey. Now, John, don't you feel rather ashamed of all this? Don't you think there is something essentially snobbish in making such a fuss about nothing? For who, after all, is this John Smith, that all the tinkers and tailors-and no offence to these gentlemen-within twenty miles of him, should rush to grasp his greasy hand? it being so great an honour to condole with dethroned royalty. I am an Englishman as well as you, John; and I feel that our national character is involved in this matter, and I am afraid that we have done nothing to elevate it, by welcoming to our hospitable shores an individual whose own actions have deprived him of that protection from his own countrymen which he claims from us. There is no objection that I can see to his coming here; but I certainly do think that the fact is no great occasion for joyfulness, and that all this fuss and hubbub which has been made over this renegade monarch, is snobbish, untimely, and misplaced. Let John Smith, or John Jenkins come to England, if they choose to conduct themselves properly, and stop as long as they like, provided they pay their way; but, for Heaven's sake, don't run after every runaway who has disgraced himself elsewhere. It looks as if there were some fellow-feeling existing between you, of no very creditable nature. John Smith built his own nest, remember, John, and he must lie in it. Hoping that you will take these few hints in all pleasant good-nature, as a friendly guide to your better management in future, I remain, my dear John, Your faithful friend and fellow-countryman, FUSBOS. THE EXILE'S HOME. BY W. S. PASSMORE. When fickle Fate in wrath decrees, Bears o'er the British strand where lies As doth the petrel midst the storm So in rebellion's wild alarm, When despots shun the gale— Or patriots fly, whose wrongs have lashed Their passions into foam; And freedom's sword in vain hath flashed, What swelling ardour, pride sublime, To witness crowds from ev'ry clime, To British honour, bright, and pure, Brighton. |