PORTRAITS OF THE REFORMERS.
THE Liberals, determined not to let the Tories monopolize the fine arts, have also inlisted the limners in the service of the popular cause; and commenced a series of Portraits and Memoirs of the Most Eminent Living Political Wormers. They are all original and authenticated likenesses—either busts, paintings, or drawings—never before pub- lished; and engraved in the mixed manner, resembling in size and style of execution the heads in the National Portrait Gallery.
The First Part contains Lord Joit/4 RUSSELL, Mr. CHARLES Bur - LEE, and Mr. ROEBUCK. Lord JOHN figures in marble—as if he already filled a niche in the temple of Fame ; and his effigy, by HOLLINS, is animated, for sculpture, and characteristically like. A print from a bust is not the most satisfactory resemblance of a living person, but in default of a better it may pass. Mr. CHARLES DULLER is represented by his limner, Mr. I/urea, in a stiff, stuck-up posture, staring point- blank like a waxen image—neither very artist-like, nor well suited to the agreeable, good-humoured countenance of the Member for Liskeard.
'The portrait of Mr. ROEBUCK makes amends for the others, and is worth the price of the whole number. It is in every respect admi- rable,—easy, life-like, and characteristic : the noble forehead and finely. cut features—the kindling eye and well-closed lips—and the mingled expression of firmness energy, and sensibility—convey a true and vivid impression of the physiognomy of the fearless champion of Democracy. This portrait is by Mr. WATTS, whose name we have not heard before ; and it gives us a very high opinion of his talent, and makes us desirous to see more of his works: it is just what por- traiture should be. The engraver, J. H. ROBINSON, is entitled to a share of praise, for his part in the plate. We wish Mr. WATTS bad been chosen to paint the portraits taken expressly for the work, instead of Mr. DUPPA, whose first specimen of his talent is, to say the least, very infelicitous, though be deserves the credit of aiming at truth.
The Memoirs are written in a familiar and lively style, with kindly feeling, yet fairly and freely critical ; the very reverse of the cut.and- dry formality and fulsome eulogy of the generality of contemporary biographies of this class. The work appears in two sizes,—the prints in octavo, and the India proofs of a size to correspond with the Conservative portraits; and it will be completed in about fourteen parts.
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