THE AMATEUR EXHIBITION.
The notion of an amateur exhibition has proved a decided hit. In this its third year, the number of exhibitors is more than twice that of the last, and the number of works is increased by nearly 150, notwithstanding the compelled exclusion of " many productions of great merit." If this rate of progression should continue, a larger gallery will be found ne- cessary next year. The promoters of the exhibition seem in earnest, and animated with a very proper feeling as to the capabilities and objects of their enterprise. The merits of the contributions strike us as being about the same as last year's.
For a true native feeling for colour, we may point out the " Kan, or principal apartment of the Hareem, in a house at Cairo, sketched on the spot" by Mrs. Robertson Blaine, and the same lady's strongly and darkly painted " Street-scene in Minich" ; the " Convent and Church of the Dominicans, Ghent," by Miss Owen Jackson,—an effective sunset ; Miss Ada Bicknell's " Pensee Fugitive," (et Turnirienne, we may add,) and her " Composition" ; Miss Bedingfield's " Haunted Room," and " Little Drawingroom, Oxburgh Hall," distinct and talented in chiaroscuro ; the verdant " Trees " of Miss H. Williams; the " Boudoir in the House of G. Henriques, Esq.," by Mrs. J. Q. Henriques, which has a touch of daylight, though spotty ; and two very bright views in Belgium and Devonshire, by Miss Joanna Palmer. The gentlemen most conspicuous for the same quality are Messrs. H. Wood, T. Gambier Parry, Ridley, Field, Beckford, and the Reverend J. A. Wood—whose " Mouth of the Rio de Janeiro" has a Danbyish character. In Mr. Gillett's dog " Tasso," relieved against a closely chequered white and black plaid, the notion of colour is admirable ; and so is the general management in Mr. Jenyns's " Back-kitchen," with its creeping cat. Mr. Burcham again contributes some views and flowers distinguished for perception, delicately bright colour, and most minute execution,—very charming little things altogether, though they want just the one touch of self-confident freedom. The quiet daylight, without sunshine, of the "Norfolk Farm-yard" is extremely nice. Mr. Bigge shows an eye for effective form in " Near Meggernie Castle, Glen Lyon " ; Miss Isabella Jones, very superior talent in her "Old Houses in Hastings" ; and Viscount Maidstone has both colour and form in his views from Water- loo and Rome, and in the surf of the " Entrance to the Gulf of Genoa." Miss Swinburne's " Study from Nature" possesses a finished feeling of repose, and colour low in key, but harmoniously bright. It would be unfair to leave the landscape sketches without mentioning Mrs. Russell Gur- ney, Miss Harriet Boddington, Miss Salvin, Miss Henrietta M. Crompton, Miss Frances Cust, Mrs. Brodie, Messrs. M‘Donald, Cotton, and Roberts, the Honourable Eliot Yorke, and Colonel D' Aguilar. The figures are naturally fewer, but several have decided merit. There is true perception of grandeur in common nature in Miss Bonham Carter's "Belgian " ; and this lady, under the curious title " Duty off Soap," has a prettily-sketched elfin group. In Miss Mary Finch's heads and figures, again, a poetical old-masterlike tone is evident. Miss Lane devotes her- self to " Uncle Tom" : one of her compositions has been engraved, but the nnengraved " Topsy and Eva" is better. Lady Anne Legge, who has a tinge of Hunt's rustic character, Miss Severn, Miss Bostock, Miss Houlton, Miss Ashton Yates., Mr. Munro, and Captain Lumley, all ex- hibit something to be distinguished. Miss E. F. Haworth, Miss Elizabeth Carr, and the Reverend G. L. Johnston, send three outline series from the Lady of Shalott, Undine, and the Sleeping Beauty ; the third perhaps the best. The Honourable Rowland Winn's "Hawk" is really excellent— fine and strong : and there is the right stuff, this year as last, in Mr. Walter Severn's animals. The Reverend Edward Bradley continues his very clever humanized "Zoological Recreations," and in the " Wintry Scene" manages pen and ink with an effectiveness approaching that of etching. Etchings proper, and very delicately touched ones, are sent by Miss J. E. Gordon. The coxswain of the storied " Water-Lily," Mr. Alfred Thompson, follows the style of Leach with some success.
Three books illustrated by amateurs lie on the table : the spirited "Scenes from Mont Blanc" of Mr. Browne ; and two sets of outlines, "The History of a Headache," and "The Rise and Fall of Mr. Wilkins and his Fortune," by Mr. William Parkes, whose powers of humour and character are clearly of no common order.
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