ENGLISH SCHOOL.

181

The series of the works of Hogarth is nearly perfect, and one of the finestever formed, many of them likewise being in curious early states. The works ofWilliam Faithorne, Sir Robert Strange, William Woollett, William Sharp, and JohnScott are represented in choice proofs of most of the important productions ofthose engravers. There is a set of the Loves of the Gods, with Vertue’s Title, byJohn Smith, after the paintings attributed to Titian, which were burned in the fireat Blenheim; and a fine impression of the Standard Bearer, by Prince Rupert.

The Portraits are of exceptionally high quality. The Art records in Englandof the Sixteenth Century are extremely meagre; and it is extraordinary, amongstthe numerous portraits of the celebrities of the period, how many of the artists ofthem are entirely unknown. In this class, with many others, will he foundbeautiful examples of the following: —Queen Elizabeth, enthroned, with the royalarms above, and inscribed “ Regia Majestas.” Mary Queen of Scots, holding across with one hand, and having the other raised to her bosom ; she is representedhalf-length, and in the background is introduced her execution. Prince Charles,Count Palatine of the Rhine, on horseback, with a view of London in the distance;beneath are ten lines, commencing “Great bud of honour: deare to Brittaine’sking.” George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham. Thomas Howard, Duke ofNorfolk; a half-length, beneath an arch ; under a corresponding arch, is a shield,with thirty quarterings, and the badges of the Garter and St. Michael. WilliamCecil, Lord Burghley ; a bust in an oval, with arms and ornaments; around “ Corunum via una.”

The many fine portraits in mezzotint, after the paintings by Sir JoshuaReynolds cannot he surpassed. They form a series of sixty-nine specimens,nearly all in beautiful proof states. The valuable series of portraits by JacobHoubraken, all in proof states—-mention of which will be found in the notice ofMr. Slade’s books of prints—alone cost upwards of £600.

Francesco Bartolozzi is amply illustrated, especially by a highly curious setof his Marlborough Gems, very many of them in unfinished and progressive statesof the plates, of which several are unique.

The art of line engraving received unusual encouragement in England fromthe commencement of the present century, and arrived at great excellence underthe judicious and liberal patronage of numerous critical amateurs, amongstwhom Mr. Slade was well known. The opportunity was rarely lost of acquiringany work which had artistic talent to recommend it, a first proof being alwaysselected with scrupulous taste. The numerous memoranda found amongst hispapers, attest the great care and skill with which the pursuit was followed; andthe large accumulation of valuable specimens, now become extremely scarce anddifficult to obtain, which is derived under this portion of the bequest, cannot betoo highly appreciated in the opportunity they afford for studying the high degreeof finish the art of line engraving had arrived at in England in the presentcentury. The value of the acquisition is materially enhanced through the modernBritish School having hitherto been very inefficiently represented in the Museum.And it is so much the more to be appreciated now that a total change has takenplace, from the discovery and rapid development of photography. In fact, the artof line engraving has in consequence become quite unremunerative, and has almostentirely ceased to be practised. The numerous and carefully arranged series ofthe present century forms, therefore, a further highly valuable addition. Thecomposition or designs of Robert Smirke (170), Thomas Stothard (143), and JosephM. William Turner (207), are admirably illustrated. One of the chief features ofthis portion of the bequest is the large number of first proofs from the engravedplates for the works of our poets, novelists, and dramatists, especially of Sliak-speare, the latter being one of the most voluminous which has ever been formed.Comparatively but a small number of them having been previously possessed by