30 JANUARY 1864, Page 20

CURRENT LITERATURE.

We have received a photograph of Mr. Laurence's admirable drawing of Mr. Thackeray. The power with which this picture seizes the characteristic expression both of Mr. Thackeray's face and genius seems to us beyond praise. It is dated in 1862, and preserves for us, therefore, almost the latest cast of our great satirist's features. Per- haps the kindliness that was so remarkable in Mr. Thackeray is loss effectually caught and delineated than the force and subdued cynicism of the intellectual expression,—but it is the ideal literary portrait of Mr. Thackeray, which will endure as long as his works endure—that is probably, at least, as long as the English language—though, pro- bably, Mr. Richmond's portrait may be more pleasing to many of Mr. Thackeray's immediate circle. This may not be Thackeray the trusted friend,—but it is most assuredly Thackeray the author of "Vanity Fair," and so speaking a likeness that no one, however disposed to criticize, can deny the genius of the picture.