FINE ARTS.
THE WELLINGTON AND NELSON TESTIMONIALS.
THE Wellington Testimonial Committee have confirmed the resolu- tion, smuggled through a packed meeting, by which Mr. MATTHEW COTES WYATT, of cocked-hat and pigtail notoriety, was appointed sculptor ; and accordingly, the hobby-horse-maker is to set up a colossal toy in bronze, in the shape of an equestrian statue to the Duke, on the top of the arch at Hyde Park Corner. The toyman exhibited a model of the Duke's head to the meeting ; and "the head and front of his offending" against fine art and good taste being approved of, he was commissioned to prepare " a round, unvarnished tail" to match. Lucky man ! he has won by a "head" now, as he did by a " tail " before ; but the toss-up is sure to be in his favour, for his game is "heads I win, tails you lose." But what has become of the " Protest," what of the " Re- monstrance," ot' the juggled members of the Committee ? How is it that
the "Rutland job," which was defeated in the City, has been suffered to succeed at the \Vest end of London? These are queries to which the only answer we can give is, that the dissentients have been defeated by delay, as we expected : they did not strike while the iron was hot. But any embers of resentment at the trick practised on them by the RUTLAND clique yet smouldered, the result of the competition for the Nelson Monument was a wet blanket, extinguishing every spark of opposition.
Apropos of the Nelson Column. Mr. RAILTON'S estimate of the cost, 30,000/., is thus apportioned,-16,000/• for the architecture, and 1400/.
he sculpture; the latter consisting of the colossal statue at
0 for t the' top, four bassi-relievi on the pedestal—instead of a single has-relict' as was before stated, and four huge lions at the angles of the base ; all in bronze, we believe. The column itself having so little to recom- mend it, the character of the sculptural sleet rations becomes of more importance. Who is to he the sculptor ? is the favoured architect to make the choice, or the Committee ? If justice be regarded, Locon the sculptor, whose simple and graceful design was within a vote or two of being chosen, ought to be employed : albeit we like not his statue—but he might improve it.
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