CURRENT LITERATURE.
The Portfolio. for August. (Seeley and Co.)—The striking thing about the August Portfolio is the remarkable excellence of the letter- press. Almost every article has some distinct attraction, and (except- ing that we are somewhat indifferent as to how "Mr. Dobson's palette is composed and arranged, beginning from the left ") all are thoroughly readable. We may instance the paper by Professor Church, "A New Luetred Pottery," and quote his concluding remark, "The ceramic re- nown which distinguished Chelsea in the eighteenth century will again revive towards the close of the nineteenth." Surely this will send all " china-maniacs " to the Portfolio. The etching (by Richeton) from the well-known Murillo, "St. John and the Lamb," is extremely beautiful ; whilst that by the German etcher, Beyer, is simply pretty, though not without charm. Mr. Seymour Haden has been seen to greater advantage than in his contribution. The editor's discursive notes on Turner turn this month upon the singular want of topo- graphical accuracy which marks some of his paintings. Mr. Hamerton's Scotch experiences qualify him for pronouncing judgment on " Kil- churn Castle," for example, in a very trenchant and complete fashion. This number ought to enhance the repute of the Portfolio.
Previous page
