BURNS'S JOLLY BEGGARS.
ANOTHER self-taught Scottish mason, GREENSHIELDS by name, has been emulating the example of Mr. THOM' who cut the stone figures of Tam O'Sbanter, Souter Johnny, &c. ; and has opened an exhibition at No. 82 in the Regent's Quadrant, consisting of eight full-length figures, the size of life, cut in stone, and intended to illustrate the popular poem of BURNS. They are minute and identical images of mendicants, as de- scribed in the poem; and as the work of a common mason, and one who has been his own master in sculpture, are entitled to great praise. There is merit in the conception of character also, as well as in the execution; but we confess that while we view them as an interesting curiosity, we cannot speak of them with the unqualified praise which the newspaper critics of Edinburgh and Glasgow have bestowed upon them. We need not say that they are not to be looked upon as works of fine art, nor as "splendid sculpture," as the show-bill has it ; but they are deserving the attention of all who admire the product of human ingenuity when suc- cessfully employed in a praiseworthy manlier ; and with the vulgar they will pass for better than they are, by reason of the familiar nature of the objects, and the vraisenthlance of the imitation. Now that Mr. Timm's exhibition is about closing, this will attract some of those who admired the ingenuity and humour displayed in the figures of Tam, the Souter, the Landlord and Landlady.
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