The illustrations of the Amulet are not equal to those
of last year, either in the choice of subjects or in execution. The pictures are generally deficient in interest. The best design is "The Mother's
Yarning," by STONE: the look and action of the mother is perfectly natural as well as graceful ; she seems earnestly addressing her child, whose air betrays incertitude and attention. The scene of the "Drowned Fisherman," by BONINGTON, is beautifully true to nature; but the engraver has spoiled its touching effect by marring the face of the widowed wife : the action of the man leading her away, and his look of pain and sorrow, are admirable. VON HOLST'S "Bohemian Mother" is hard and German. FRASER'S "Sea-side Group" is a pretty scene, like one of those that COLLINS loves to paint. WYATT'S. "Chapeau Noir " is a clever adaptation of RUBENS'S ' Chapeau de Paille "—not omitting its Flemish coarseness. HARLOWE'S group of children, called " The Temptation," is theatrical and affected. "The Squire's Bargain "is one of HANCOCK'S best pictures; and every natu- ral rustic scene it is—i la LANDSEER : but the impression of the en- graving is so much worn, that it does not appear to advantage. Most of the other engravings are black and heavy, and look coarse,—espe- chilly that of BOADE'S "Morning Star." "May Morning," by INSKIPP, is a pretty sketch : this painter's faces look the more like each other on account of his peculiar manner of indicating the features. In " No Song no Sugar," Mr. MEADOWS has represented the little gill, who stands on tiptoe to reach her bird's cage, look as if she were making a pirouette on the chair.
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