OXFORD EXHIBITION OP HISTORICAL PORTRAITS.
[To THE EDITOR OP TIM 'SPECTFATOR.1
SIne■Will you kindly repeat the privilege which you granted to me last year, and allow me through your columns to call the attention of your readers to our third Exhibition, which has just been opened ?
It is held in the Examination Schools as before, and will remain open till Ascension Day, May 24th. The period it covers is that from 1714, the terminal year of the last Exhibition, to 1837. As might be expected, while the historical interest is not less than that of the last period, the artistic is considerably greater, for the Exhibition includes paintinks by artists like Sir Godfrey Kneller (of whom there is a portrait by himself), Sir Joshua Rey- nolds, Gainsborough, Romney, Hogarth, Qpie, and Sir Thomas. Lawrence.
In the collection will be seen interesting portriits of King George M. and Queen Charlotte. Among Archbishops are Bonner, Potter, Seeker, and Markham,—the last as fine a specimen of Reynolds's skill as can well be found ; among Bishops, Atterbury, Butler, Nathaniel Lord Crew, Heber, Horne, Hough, Lowth, Trelawney, Smalridge, and Wake ; among other divines. Sacheverell and South, and the famous pair, John Wesley and George Whitefield. Statecraft is represented by Speaker Abbot, Canning and Chatham, George Grenville and his haughty son, William Lord Grenville, afterwards Lord Mendip, Lord Hastings, Speaker Onslow, Windham and Welbore Ellis,—a singularly beautiful painting from the hand of Gainsborough ; law by Lord Bathurst, Sir W. Blackstone, Lord Eldon and his brother Lord Stowell, Sir J. Pratt, Lords Mansfield and Tenterden. But perhaps literature makes an even better show. Of Addison, that characteristic ornament of Oxford, there are four portraits, and one of his friend Tiokell. Pope and Prior, Shenstone, Swift and Young, Johnson, Thomas Warton and Sir Walter Scott, will all be found here ; while for those who are interested in Gibbon, a special opportunity offers in that three p8rtraits which have never before been brought together hang side by side,—the fine portrait by Sir Joshua Reynolds, now belonging to Lord Rosebery, which was the favourite of the somewhat vain historian himself ; Lord Beauchamp's portrait by Romney ; and a small painting by Henry Walton, which the first Lord Sheffield said was the .best. likeness of all.
Sir Christopher Wren stands for architecture, and Garrick for the stage. Science is well represented by Bradley, Flamsteed, Halley, and Priestley ; and music by Boyce, Burney, Croft, William Hayes and his son Philip, and Pepusch. Among mis- cellaneous celebrities are also included Sir Roger Newdigate, Flora Macdonald, Sir Hans Sloane, and John Kyrie, the " Man of Roes." It will be seen that the collection is one of rich and varied interest, and affords a special opportunity to students, whether of history or of art. I have only to add that I fear it will be the last our Committee will attempt.
— I am, Sir, &c., T. HERBERT WARREN, Chairman of the Exe cutive Committee. Magdalen College.
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