HAvnoN; has become quite the fashion,: since he has had
all the Cabinet Ministers, and the principal leaders of the Liberal party in both Houses, to sit to him for his picture of The Refbrm Banquet, painting for Lord Grey. The sketches that he has made are vigorous and characteristic, and the likenesses have given great satisfaction to the friends of the parties. The ardent enthusiasm of the painter him- self has contributed no less than the spirit and fire of his pencil to make friends of his sitters. Encouraged by the success of his sketch of Mr. Stanley, lie is not only continuing the series of portraits of the Reform Ministry, but proposes to extend it so as to include the principal political characters of the day. He makes the sketches on stone, in a rough and hasty, but forcible and spirited style. The feeling of the artist and the fidelity of character evident in the lithograph, more than atone for any want of neatness in the pencilling. Every one who can appreciate an original sketch, must prefer it to a tame copy. Lord Melbourne, a bold and powerful likeness, forms the next of the series, which is publishing by MACLEAN ; Lords Althorp, Grey, and Brougham will follow. The head of Lord Brougham is the only likeness we have seen that conveys the intellectual character of the Chancellor's physiognomy. The artists complain of not having sold so many pictures this season as usual; and sculptors and architects languish for commissions. The cheering monosyllable SOLD may greet the eye of the anxious artist at the old favourite exhibitions less frequently than before; but at the new exhibition, that of the Associated Painters in Water Colours in Bond Street, the exhibitors may congratulate themselves upon a fair share of encouragement from picture-buyers. As exhibitions increase and pic- tures and artists multiply, the once favoured few must be content to share the public patronage in common with their younger rivals.
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