2 OCTOBER 1830, Page 19

The Vicar of Wakefield. Painted by G. S. NEwroiv, Engraved

by JOHN BumItrr.

This is an admirable picture, of sterling merit, and is worthy of Kra. NEWT ox's well-earned fame. There is an integrity about his style,. which depends for its effect upon the subject itself. Mr. NEWTON goes the right way about making a picture. He appears to have first consi- dered attentively the text, and entered into its spirit and meaning,—to have well understood the characters, and not only to have conceived them in his mind, but to have brought them graphically before him ; and then, having decided upon their resemblance to the ideal personages of the story, proceeded to group them on the canvass secunduna orient, making his effects secondary to the design. This is the way to succeed, and the end proves the fitness of the means. Mr. NEWTON, whether he portrays a real or ideal character, proceeds in the same straightfor. ward manner ; and by virtue of it, and his ability in the technical parts of his art, his success is unfailing. The print before us illustrates that scene in GOLDSMITH'S beautiful story where the Vicar brings his penitent daughter to receive the forgive- ness of her mother. They are assembled in the barn in which they took up their abode after the fire. The artist has chosen that moment when the Vicar expostulates with his still obdurate wife on her unrelenting feelings. The poor penitent leans on the shoulder of her father ; whom regarding her mother with an expression of mingled anger and cornpas. sion ; humanity and tenderness elevate the character of the simple- minded Vicar, and his attitude of indignant remonstrance gives him an almost apostolic air. Nothing can be better conceived and executed than this character : it embodies the spirit of GOLDSMITH'S description. The daughter's face is very appropriately hidden ; but her attitude and action denote that she is absorbed in grief. Moses stands in the doer. way with his hat in both hands, looking on with serious concern. This half of the picture is to our mind perfect ; we would not alter it a jot. On the other side sits Mrs. Primrose, with a forced stubbornness of atti.. tude, and a supercilious expression that is neutralized by the tears on her cheek : her eyes are half turned to regard her daughter, while her hands clutch her apron to enable her to support her constancy, which is on the point of giving way to the dictates of maternal feeling. Her other daughter kneels at her side, beseeching her clemency. The mother is a little over-strained in attitude and expression ; and the daughter kneeling with more grace than passion, makes this part of the picture resemble a theatrical rather than a natural scene. The two little urchins looking grave in the corner, are in good keeping; but they are crudely engraved ; the hand and arm of one seem not to belong to the body. But we willingly turn from this minor imperfection to admire the truth and feeling of the rest of the picture. It is one that will doubtless have an extensive popularity, and will add to Mr. NEWTON'S reputation, already the highest among artists in this branch of his profession. A series of pictures from the old novelists, from his pencil, would be a fitting ornament to the fireside of every Englishman. His admirable • picture of Sterne should next be engraved ; and as Mr. BURNET has evinced such discrimination and ability in his present engraving, no one can be better fitted for the task. His broad, bold manner, is remarkable for richness and pictorial character;' and his style of engraving is worthy of Mr. NEWTON'S style of painting. A few such pictures as this would be a welcome treat ; and we hope for as many engravings from NEWTON. as we have from WILKIE ; we are sure they will be equally popular.

Apropos of WILKIE—the etching for Mr. BURNET' s engraving from that celebrated artist's picture of Chelsea Pensioners reading the Gazette of the Battle of Waterloo, promises well.