OLD WATER-COLOUR SOCIETY.
The private view of this most delightful exhibition, today, was a coni plete jam of artists and amateurs; Sir Roamer PEEL being the most distinguished among the latter. From the transient glimpses got over the shoulders of the company, with frequent obscurations by the passing of dense bodies, we infer this to be a better display than usual ; not- withstanding there are fewer pictures than usual of the kind that collect a crowd before them : almost every member has done his best, and many who were in the background have taken a step in advance.
LEWIS'S great picture, which arrived too late for exhibition last year, is the principal feature—Easter Day at Rome, Pilgrims and Peasants waiting for the Pope's Benediction, in front of St. Peter's. Having for- merly given an account of it, we need only now say that it is a very elaborate composition, and the most powerful piece of water-colour painting ever seen. Mr. LEwis has also sent a smaller work, of more lively interest and more finished execution—A Devotional Procession,. Scene in Toledo; the monks passing under a window filled with beauteous damsels and gallant cavaliers. CATTERMOLE is missed this year : he has not sent a single work. FREDERICK TAYLOR'S large picture of a Highland Balky, with sportsmen, is a rich piece of colour- ing, and forcibly painted. HUNT is in greater strength than ever; his- comical cow-boys are as droll as usual ; and he has shown his power of expressing serious sentiment, in An Irish Pilgrim Boy, (126,) whose face is radiant with devotion : his Interior of a Laboratory is almost an illu- sion; and his flowers are as fresh as if just plucked—one seems to scent them.
In landscape, COPLEY FIELDING maintains his position, though with no new effects. Dzwirtm is more than usually forcible : his view of' Lincoln Cathedral is extraordinary for local truth, and. his ha'-fields are fragrant. HARDING has three scenes of land, sea, and river, in each of which he shows his masterly hand and strong perception of nature. HOLLAND, besides two architectural views in Venice and Lisbon, has a couple of English landscapes fresh and bright as day. W. CALLovt has several architectural and marine views of great spirit ; and G. A. FRIPP, a new member, gives promise in his pleasing views of English scenery. A view of Windsor Castle, by Evens, is one of the most striking representations of that noble pile; Cox's moist verdurous scenes, IttintE'rr's glowing sunsets, NESPIELD'S waterfalls, BENTLEY'S sea-pieces, PROUT'S architectural views, (though he has no great work,) JOSEPH Nesn's sumptuous interiors, with the usual varieties of views and designs, make up the sum of attractions. We ought to mention VARLET, who has by force of gum achieved a number of strong effects ; but his mannerism overlays his subject, and makes all his views seem, alike.
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