wrought in solid silver, andwe are assured that it exhi-

S' N\sSNV v: v' N -"

11 the precious metals, we are entitled to expect a grade of? . corresponding to the rich and costly nature of the mi-er ^8, and in articles of table furniture, we also requiretL-Uj ^g n * n harmony with their obvious uses. Threel id cats, turned tail foremost towards the trunk of aree > and snarling at two others in its branches, form ag l °up which would be ridiculous wherever perpetrated,

but when they are stuck upon the foot of a caster, andmade to decorate (?) a dinner-table, the conceit becomesoffensive as well as absurd. What possible connectionis there between a group of cats and a vinegar cruet orpepper box ? A caster requires to be lifted, and needsa handle smooth and convenient to the hand; but herewe are treated instead to a twist of two branches with

rough and sharp projections, impossible to grasp withcomfort, and, as though this were not enough, two catsare added, struggling over some nondescript animalwhich they have caught.

The statue on the right of the page is the work of SignorPiattj, the superintendent of sculpture. It represents theson of an Xrisli farmer, during the late years of famine.

EXHIBITION

ILLUSTRATED.

NEW-YO R K

THE

From the first introduction of portable fire-arms num-berless attempts have been made to increase their de-structiveness by giving to one instrument the power ofJBian^; but it was left to American ingenuity to carry outf'he idea with practical success. The latest of these

novelties is exhibited by the inventor, Mr. E. Whitneyof New Haven. The chambered cylinder is detachedfor loading by removing the centre-pin on which it revolves; when in place it is turned by the thumb or fingeto the right or left, as may be desired. This repeater is

discharged less rapidly than Colt’s, but it is also muchstronger and simpler in its construction, and therefore lessliable to be injured by use, or if so, it may be easily repaired

The Caster, engraved on this page, was made by theAmes Manufacturing Company, Chicopee, Mass. It is

gret that skill and labor of anykind should have been wastedon a design of such unequivocal and unmitigated ab

purdity. It has neither beauty nor has been sacrificed to carry out afitness, but every artistic propriety paltry and puerile conceit. In works