9 OCTOBER 1830, Page 20

FINE ARTS.

Portraits of Illustrious Personages of Great Britain ; with Biographical and Historical Memoirs. By EDMUND LODGE, Esq. Third Series. Parts I. II. III. IV.

Of this truly national work, the first and second series brought it down to the commencement of the last century ; the third series, of which four numbers only are published, will bring the work down to the commencement of the present ; and will include authentic portraits of persons illustrious by birth, honours, or genius, from LOCKE to NELsox. The first and second series were originally published in folio, and the plates finely engraved, by the first artists, in the chalk manner, of the same size as the accurate and beautiful water-colour drawings made from the originals, from which they were copied. The enterprising proprietors subsequently resolved upon engraving a smaller set of plates of the whole work, and republishing it in parts of a size more suitable for the library of the general reader, and at a price that should invite the purchase of the great body of the public. Their speculation was eminently successful, and was made extensively known by the plan which they adopted of exhibiting the whole series of drawings by HILTON, DERBY, and SATCHWELL, from which the plates were engraved ; the admission to which interesting exhibition was, in a politic and liberal manner, rendered gratuitous. At the same time, an announcement was put forth of the intention of the proprietors to publish this third series (the four numbers of which we have before us) in two sizes ; the one to correspond with the large, the other with the smaller work. But as the expense of undertaking the publication of the plates on the same large scale as the original series, was a risk too great to run without the encouragement of subscribers, a list was opened and proposals put forth of their intention. The intended work, however, was not patronized, and the publishers were reluctantly obliged to bring out the continuation in the smaller form only, as regarded the size of the plates ; printing an edition upon large paper to bind up in a corresponding manner with the large work.

Of the portraits forming the first and second series, as they have been so extensively made known both in the drawings and engravings, we need not here speak. The plates of the new series, however, require our attentive notice, both on account of their beauty as works of art, and their value and authenticity as illustrations of the history of our Country.

We may here remark upon a very proper enlargement of the original plan, which has been adopted in the new series, by which the portraits of men illustrious for greatness of mind and by virtue of their rank in the literature of their country, as well as those whose renown has been obtained by arms or senatorial distinctions, have been added to those illustrious by birth and station. This adds an interest to the work, which not only renders it more acceptable to the student of character, but gives a completeness which it would otherwise want. We could not help remarking of the former series, that the greatness of character in the faces bore but a small proportion to the-greatness of the names and titles ; and that the splendour of the costume was far above that of the achievements of many of the number. Rank and authority predominated unduly over genius and talents ; and the consequence is, that the faces of many are of more value as regards the notoriety of the person. age than as specimens of exalted humanity. This procedure is naturally accounted for when we see the name of Norroy King of Arms as the biographer. Shields and escutcheons, pedigrees and titles, are the only passports in the herald's opinion to the distinctive appellation of illustrious. The blood of queens and kings that flowed in the veins, or blushed in the quarterings of coats of arms, were to him more than the splendours of fame ; and the crowns and crownets of the peerage far more dazzling proofs of desert than the civic wreath or the crown of bays. RALEIGH and SYDNEY owe their admittance among the "illustrious" throng, not to their fame so much as to their titles. 'SELDEN, to be sure, is included ; and he is an exception. In the new series, the name of Locxx gives earnest of a wider range of selection.

Among the portraits in these numbers, are those of the Marquis of Granby; Lord Rodney ; Sir Isaac Newton ; Honourable Robert Boyle; John Locke; Burnet, Bishop of Salisbury ; Sidney, Earl of Godolphin ; Lord Nelson ; Lord Bolingbroke ; Walpole, Earl of Orford ; Earl St. Vincent ; Marquis of Rockingham, &c.—from the original paintings of Sir GODFREY KNELLER, Sir JOSHUA REYNOLDS, &C. The en. ravings are executed in the mixed line and chalk manner, the flesh stippled ; and thus a variety of texture is produced which successfully aids the pictorial effect. For small portraits, the dotted style is the only One at all adapted to represent the flesh ; and even in larger engravings, its superiority to the harshness and coldness of the line manner is evident to all but prejudiced observers.

The insipidity of KNELLER'S portraits, especially when he delineates Such men as NEWTON, LOCKE, &c, is rendered more apparent by the contrast which the grand portraits of Sir JOSHUA REYNOLDS present, even in the engraving. Those absurd perriwigs, too, have the effect of extinguishers to the flame of genius, and in KNEELER'S hands are utter levellers of Physkignomical character.