10 MAY 1851, Page 20

PORTRAIT OF Mn. PARTON.

If ever publication professing to meet a demand of the time contained truth in its assertion, this is it. Mr. Paxton is, par excellence, the man of 1851. Protectionists and prophets of " tomorrow" may consider him a second Nimrod, impiously venturing a second tower of Babel, and fore- doomed to a like condemnation : others view his labours differently ; but he cannot but occupy a foremost place in the thoughts of both sections. We do not doubt, then, that the portrait of Mr. Paxton, engraved by Mr. W. S. Reynolds after Mr. Oakley, will meet the wants of a large public. As a work of art, it does not offer any special points for comment,—a fact which, as portraits go, is fully as much in its favour as the reverse : as a likeness it is satisfactory, though we think Mr. Paxton has retraced a few years of his active life under Mr. Oakley's hand.