In the morning Mr. Fitzbluebag was driven by the squire, accompanied by his brother, the rector, to Cheeseytown, the place where the magistrates for that part of Uplandshire held their meetings for the prosecution and persecution of felons, rogues, vagabonds, and other disreputable characters of the Stubblejock kind. Mr. Fitzbluebag was introduced to the magistrates, and the barrister took his seat by their side with all the airs of a lord chief justice. After they had adjudicated on some minor cases, and the magistrates had committed themselves as often as the prisoners, the great case of the day came on; and the magistrates' clerk, in a loud voice, re-echoed by every policeman in the room, called upon Jedediah Stubblejock to put in an appearance in obedience to his summons. In less than a moment a burly figure was seen pushing its way through the crowd, and a loud voice proclaimed "I be here !" and Mr. Jedediah Stubblejock stood before the bench. Poor Fitzbluebag turned deadly pale as his rough farmer friend of the previous day, nodding his head familiarly to the barrister, said: "Sarvent, sur; please do spare puir auld Stubblejock, and doant sarve him as you sarved the trout 'esterday. My eye! but, Mr. Barrister, you'll chance now chaw up auld Stubblejock when you defend yourself again a summons for trespass. Please, Mr. Clerk (turning to that official) I wants a summons.' Mr. Fitzbluebag heard not a word more, but started hastily from his seat, pleading a momentary faintness from the heat of the crowded court, and rushed out. Fortunately the omnibus which conveyed passengers to and from the railway station happened to be passing at the moment on its way to meet the up express train to London; into the farthest corner of this vehicle Mr. Fitzbluebag plunged, and was not seen or heard of for some time afterwards. Whilst the magistrates were wondering at and discussing the cause of the legal adviser's prolonged absence, a note was delivered to their chairman, Mr. Turniptop, which ran as follows: Cheeseytown Railway Station. DEAR TURNIPTOP,-Feeling very ill, and that it must be the salmon I eat at dinner yesterday, for it was not quite done, I am off to town to consult Dr. Cureusall before I get worse. Before I leave, however, I send you this to advise you to let old Stubblejock alone, or you will burn your fingers. You have no case against the old fellow. Your suffering friend, FITZBLUEBAG. Great was the consternation which this note of the barrister's caused the whole bench, when read out to them by their chairman; still, as his opinion was unfavourable to their design of punishing Mr. Stubblejock, they were obliged to let that disreputable individual go unmolested. Upon the magistrates dismissing the case, he said: "But, gemmen, where be the lawyer chap from Lunnon town? I wants to summon un for trespass. My word! but he be a fine hand at fishing, but a mortal sight better at dukes and paes Mr. Stubblejock, on being informed that Mr. Fitzbluebag had been seized with a sudden and violent indisposition, which compelled him abruptly to absent himself from the court, very naïvely remarked: "Well, I thought so much duke, mappen, might'na be gude for un!" Mr. Fitzbluebag has not been seen since in the neighbourhood of Muddle-puddle Hall, nor have the fish either in the Muddle or the Puddle suffered from his skill as a piscator. The present is an epoch in the fine arts of England, and an important era in the annals of the institution we are about to talk of. The distinguished men whose creations or representations tend so materially to advance the civilization of their country, have at last a home of their own wherein to display the varied works that during the past year they have been contemplating and giving reality to in form or colour. The galleries erected are declared by persons best capable of giving judgment, not merely to rival but to surpass those of any capital in Europe, and the expression of approbation accorded, and which as yet seems universal, must be gratifying to the banded brethren who have expended a hundred thousand pounds, it is said, on a structure for no selfish ends or vain glory, but to benefit the world at large; for, throwing awide their doors they have invited one and all, foreigners inclusive, to avail themselves of the space their saloons afford for works provisoed only as worthy of acceptance, and certainly the response has been unequivocal, pictures alone numbering sixteen hundred more than in any other year. In the schools, students, as heretofore, will be taught gratuitously, no public money having at any period been voted nor solicited by the Royal Academy for this or any other purpose, while the President has intimated an expectation that it may probably be in their power largely to increase their hitherto not inconsiderable charities to poorer and less fortunate colleagues or followers, hoping further to be able in future with open-handed generosity to support every effort for the benefit and promotion of art in this country-words which we trust may be as amply verified as they have been nobly spoken. We may briefly give an historical sketch and state that the Royal Academy was founded in 1769, whence it will be seen that it enters upon its second century. The first location was in Pall Mall on part of the site where the United Service Club now stands. George the Third, however, who manifested great interest in the Academy and its formation, shortly after granted a certain portion of Somerset House for the use of the schools, officers, and annual exhibitions, approving the choice of President, and knighting him, Sir Joshua Reynolds being the first elected; Benjamin West, an especial favourite of the King from his utterly unsophisticated manner, yet dignity withal, the second; Sir Thomas Lawrence, "the courtly," the third; Sir Martin Shee, the poet as well as painter, the fourth; Sir Charles Eastlake, the scholar, fifth, and subsequently Sir Francis Grant, who succeeded Sir Carles in 1866, the apartments assigned the Royal Academicians in Trafalgar-square having been taken possession of twenty-four years previously. The election of Sir Edwin Landseer to the presidency on the death of Sir Charles Eastlake was purely nominal, and the prudence of a precedent of the kind is open to opinion. We should do wrong to omit mention of a prior society which through the exertions mainly of Hogarth, had a short existence under the name of the Society of Incorporated Artists. It was formed in 1739, and in 1760 had an exhibition at the house of the Society of Arts in the Adelphi. Matters, however, did not progress smoothly, and by reason of a rupture between the directors and fellows it soon ceased to exist, though from it most unquestionably arose the Royal Academy, and hence our adverting to a progenitor so usually ignored. The Government having determined upon evicting the Royal Academicians from their half of the National Gallery, were compelled to give them an exchange of some kind in lieu, and conceded Old Burlington House and a piece of ground at the rear to it. What they have done with the space at their command the public behold in the capacious and admirably adapted apartments they may now wander through. The approach is of course merely a temporary convenience, but even this is to be commended, simply because it answers its purpose. At the termination of this long vista, which widens into a sort of ante-room, a flight of stairs is ascended, and, admittance gained at their head we come upon the vestibule, the first room being on the left, and the pictures here having their enumeration commenced. From room No. I., we proceed westward again to No. II., thence northward to No. III. or the Great Room, thence northward again to No. IV. and eastward to No. V., emerging then into the Sculpture Gallery. Crossing this and continuing eastward we enter No. VI., and in the same direction arrive at No. VII. The exit from this room takes us southward into No. VIII., and still moving southward we reach No. IX., and walking westward we enter No. X.; on emerging from which we find ourselves in the vestibule once more, and then, if we may so say, the circumference of the galleries has been made, though the entire route has not been accomplished. The visitor must turn to the right, when, facing the north, he finds himself in the Central Hall, the Sculpture Gallery before him, and the Lecture Hall on his right or to the east. And here let us pause a moment to advise. The reader we are guiding in a perambulation through the building, should on his first visit really make the galleries themselves his one consideration, and so, slowly saunter through them latish in the day. Certain works in each will be very sure to command his attention, but in the preliminary tour let the "architectural" occupy his thoughts, or at all events let specialities only be sought, some of which we shall perhaps in our next facilitate reference to. Of high art-historical, classical, religious art-the present exhibition cannot take credit nor make boast. In portraiture it is not equal, we think, to last year's. In general subjects it offers an average. Natural history-birds, beasts, and fishes we mean-are on the average. But, nevertheless, from all these there are exceptionally few instances prominently standing forth. Fruit and flower painting are again most charming. The leading works are unquestionably the sea pieces and landscapes, some of which are magnificent, and others exquisitely pretty the allusion to the last recalling the very appropriate remarks made by Major Leighton, R.A., "but not of the Royal Artillery," as Sir Francis Grant facetiously observed, when his name was associated with the volunteers, and for whom he returned thanks at the banquet: "He might confidently assert," he said, "that one who, year by year, in search of the picturesque, pencil in hand, has lingered with loving feet along the lanes and round the peaceful homesteads of this most lovely country, will not be the last in the hour of need to stand forward in its defence; and," he continued, "I will add, with the assent, I am sure, of every artist present, that a man who in the life-long search of ideal beauty shall have found its nearest image in the face and form of Englishwomen, will own a double debt of chivalry in the defence of those homes, of which they are the light and the crowning grace"utterance of sentiment from an artist-volunteer worthy of being quoted. The Sculpture Gallery is rendered worthy of art's more exalted achievements; and would that the memories of the master-minds of Greece could now stimulate to glory the perhaps-dormant energies of our own sculptors. In paying a compliment to the sculptress, Mdlle. de Fauveau, whose suggestions he declares guided his researches and qualified his judgment, Lord Lindsay, in "Sketches of the History of Christian Art," eloquently, if not logically, observes that "it is to be regretted when the noble in birth as well as spirit are compelled through reverses to depend on genius for their bread; but that human nature is exalted by it and Art a gainer, for the spirit of reverence which inspires the Jacobite or Carliste is precisely that which wings the artist to the gates of heaven." Besides her Francesca du Rimini and St. George and the Dragon, Mdlle. de Fauveau executed the bust of the Grand Duchess Olga of Russia. Here, however, we have a sculptress of the noblest birth, a Princess of the blood Royal and in the full enjoyment of prosperity, employing her leisure hours and her talent on a bust of her mother, and which is pronounced to be the very best likeness that has been produced of her Majesty. That Art may be the gainer from yet further evidence of H.R.H. the Princess Louise's powers we trust, and that her inspirations may eventually "wing her to the gates of heaven" we as ardently hope. We are flattered to find our suggestions relative to the covers of the catalogue responded to, though the colour selected is not calculated to administer adequate relief or rest to the eye; nor should the leaves remain untoned. We are also pleased to perceive that the President has been led by our gentle hint to reduce his Latin to a minimum, and trust that becoming "small by degrees, and beautifully less," it will speedily fade from view altogether, and plain Saxon take its place "LABOR ET INGENIUM" toil and talent, reader, as we interpret it; and keeping in mind tho toil and talent here declared, and witnessed by you, respectfully, thankfully, and proudly bear testimony to this truthful union as you wend your way through these galleries. SALES OF BLOOD STOCK. By Messrs. Tattersall, at Knightsbridge, on Monday, March 22nd: MR. HENRY CHAPLIN'S HORSES. Lady Cutabout, b f, 2 yrs (sister to Acaster), by Voltigeur, out of Lady Grosvenor (Mr Stevens) ... ... B f, 2 yrs, by Trumpeter, out of The Roe (Mr R. Miller) Brother to Chattanooga, b c, 3 yrs, by Orlando, out of Ayacanora by Irish Birdcatcher, Sister to Veda, b f, 3 yrs, by Lambton, out of Christabelle (Mr Betagh)... Adamanthea, bl f, 5 yrs, by King of Trumps, out of Adeline (Mr Hurman) Target by Artillery, out of a Kingfisher mare (Mr Hodgman) STALLIONS. Volunteer, b h (foaled 1858), by Alarm, out of Iona by Jon (Mr Sparrow) LORD WESTMINSTER'S YEARLINGS. Be by Romulus, out of Jocose (Macaroi's dam) (Captain Machell) Don George, bc, by The Marquis, out of Tourney by Tournament (Col. Astley) THE CHESHIRE HORSES. THE PROPERTY OF MR. REGINALD CORBET. Crossbill, br g, 6 yrs, by The Bird, dam by Blackbird (Mr. Cartwright) Rob Roy, Cupid, bg, 7 yrs, by Duc-an-Dhurras (Lord Leconfield) ... 170 Cygnet, gr g, 7 yrs, by Slynge, dam Heather Bell, by Pallas (Lord Leconfield) 115 45 160 Courtier, br g, 6 yrs, by Cortez, dam by Lincoln (Mr. P. Yates) 150 Claymore bg, 6 yrs, by Balfour, dam by Bashful (Lord Downe) 200 Castanet, br m, 6 yrs, by Hobbie Noble, dam by Birdcatcher (Mr. S. Barry) 130 Coquette, bm, 6 yrs, by Knave of Hearts, dam by Old Welcome (Mr. Cartwright) Carbineer, bg, by Artillery, by Toachstone, dam by William (Mr. Eyre)... 150 60 70 110 |