第2章

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，orelsethePlacedelaConcorde(whocansaywhy？)——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，allthesuccessiveministrieshavebeenlaughedat(andyouknowwhoisthewagthathasamusedhimselfwiththemall)。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-day(Saturday)，funeralceremonies，inhonorofthevictimsofJuly，wereheldinthevariousedificesconsecratedtopublicworship。

Theseedifices，withtheexceptionofsomechurches(especiallythatofthePetits-Peres)，wereuniformlyhungwithblackontheoutside。thehangingsboreonlythisinscription：27，28，29July，1830——surroundedbyawreathofoak-leaves。

IntheinterioroftheCatholicchurches，ithadonlybeenthoughtpropertodressLITTLECATAFALQUES，asforburialsofthethirdandfourthclass。Veryfewclergyattended。butaconsiderablenumberoftheNationalGuard。

TheSynagogueoftheIsraeliteswasentirelyhungwithblack。andagreatconcourseofpeopleattended。Theservicewasperformedwiththegreatestpomp。

IntheProtestanttemplestherewaslikewiseaveryfullattendance：APOLOGETICALDISCOURSESontheRevolutionofJulywerepronouncedbythepastors。

TheabsenceofM。deQuelen(ArchbishopofParis)，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，THESERGENSDEVILLE(townpatrol)，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！(thephraseisprettyandgrammatical)whydidyouwithsharpbulletsbreakthoseLouvrewindows？Whydidyoubayonetred-coatedSwissbehindthatfairwhitefacade，and，bravingcannon，musket，sabre，perspectiveguillotine，burstyonderbronzegates，rushthroughthatpeacefulpicture-gallery，andhurlroyalty，loyalty，andathousandyearsofKings，head-over-heelsoutofyonderTuileries’

windows？

Itis，youwillallow，alittledifficulttosay：——thereis，however，ONEbenefitthatthecountryhasgained(asforlibertyofpress，orperson，diminishedtaxation，ajusterrepresentation，whoeverthinksofthem？)——ONEbenefittheyhavegained，ornearly——

abolitiondelapeine-de-mortpourdelitpolitique：nomorewickedguillotiningforrevolutions。AFrenchmanmusthavehisrevolution——

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

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

Idonot(although，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，ordove(thePrincessMary)，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，andthen(likemanyreputations)disappearedtotally：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，numbersofpersonsmerelysuspectedofbeingdisaffected(andyoumayfancyhowlibertyisunderstood，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，exceptPoussin(unlesstheadmirersofClaudechoosetorankhimamonggreatpainters)，——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，orinthenewquarterofNotreDamedeLorette(whichisquitepeopledwithpainters)。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-agecaps(suchasarecalled，inheraldry，capsofmaintenance)，Spanishnets，andstripedworstednightcaps。Fancyallthejacketsyouhaveeverseen，andyouhavebeforeyou，aswellaspencandescribe，thecostumesoftheseindescribableFrenchmen。

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

Theseyoungmen(togetherwiththestudentsofsciences)comportthemselvestowardsthesobercitizenprettymuchastheGermanburschtowardsthephilister，orasthemilitaryman，duringtheempire，didtothepekin：——fromtheheightoftheirpovertytheylookdownuponhimwiththegreatestimaginablescorn——ascorn，I

think，bywhichthecitizenseemsdazzled，forhisrespectfortheartsisintense。ThecaseisverydifferentinEngland，whereagrocer’sdaughterwouldthinkshemadeamisalliancebymarryingapainter，andwherealiteraryman(inspiteofallwecansayagainstit)ranksbelowthatclassofgentrycomposedoftheapothecary，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。George(adozenyearsagohewasnotevenapenny-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？isaquestionwhichhasbeenconsiderablymootedinEngland(intheneighborhoodofSuffolkStreetespecially)。ThehundredsofFrenchsamplesare，Ithink，notverysatisfactory。Thesubjectsarealmostallwhatarecalledclassical：OrestespursuedbyeveryvarietyofFuries。numbersoflittlewolf-suckingRomuluses。HectorsandAndromachesinacomplicationofpartingembraces，andsoforth。foritwastheabsurdmaximofourforefathers，thatbecausethesesubjectshadbeenthefashiontwentycenturiesago，theymustremainsoinsaeculasaeculorum。becausetotheseloftyheightsgiantshadscaled，beholdtheraceofpigmiesmustgetuponstiltsandjumpatthemlikewise！andonthecanvas，andinthetheatre，theFrenchfrogs(excusethepleasantry)wereinstructedtoswelloutandroarasmuchaspossiblelikebulls。

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，astheynowarebywhatiscalledtheChristianart(ofwhichanon)。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，MonsieurThiers(andheoughttobethankedforit)hascausedtobeplacedafull-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，muchmerit(acharmingcompositionofHomersinging，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。andhisBrother(preparingfordeath)。

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：andtheheadofBrutus(wholookslikeArmandCarrel)isfullofenergy。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，andoneortwolandscapesbyGiroux(theplainofGrasivaudan)，andThePrometheusofAligny。Thisisanimitation，perhaps。asisanoblepictureofJesusChristandtheChildren，byFlandrin：buttheartistsareimitatingbettermodels，atanyrate。andonebeginstoperceivethattheodiousclassicaldynastyisnomore。Poussin’smagnificentPolyphemus

(Ionlyknowaprintofthatmarvellouscomposition)has，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。Alittlebackstair(leadingfromacourt，inwhichstandnumerousbas-reliefs，andasolemnsphinx，ofpolishedgranite，)isthecommonentryforstudentsandothers，who，duringtheweek，enterthegallery。

HitherhavelatelybeentransportedanumberoftheworksofFrenchartists，whichformerlycoveredthewallsoftheLuxembourg(deathonlyentitlestheFrenchpaintertoaplaceintheLouvre)。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。andifhehascomeouttobattlestarknaked(exceptaveryhandsomehelmet)，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。Inthewaterfloatsacorpse(abeautifulhead)andagreenseaandatmosphereenvelopsallthisdismalgroup。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，salubriousairs(thebreathofNatureblowingfree，asthecorn-lawmansings)blowingfreeovertheheath。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。andofwhichthecolor(athoughttooblue，perhaps)ismarvellouslygracefulanddelicate。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-soundingnames(outwithit，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’sdaughter(towhomheowedconsiderablyforcutlets)toquitthemeat-shopandfollowhim。Griskinissa——suchwasthefaircreature’sname——wasaslovelyabitofmutton，herfathersaid，aseveramanwouldwishtostickaknifeinto。Shehadsattothepainterforallsortsofcharacters。andthecuriouswhopossessanyofGambouge’spictureswillseeherasVenus，Minerva，Madonna，andinnumberlessothercharacters：Portraitofalady——

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