22 AUGUST 1835, Page 21

FINE ARTS.

PANORAMA OF ELEPHANT-HUNTING.

Ma. DANIELL, whose paintings of Indian scenery are so well known and appreciated, has fitted up the Gallery of the Society of Water- Colour Painters in Pall Mall East, as a temporary panorama, for the purpose of exhibiting on a scale and in a form suited to the subject, a picture of elephant-hunting and taming in Ceylon. The scene is a hollow near the coast, almost surrounded by wild mountain scenery, thickly studded with the singular and picturesque trees of the country, from the many-stemmed banyan to the spear-like palm. The herd of elephants having been surrounded, and driven into a small circle, are seen hemmed in by an immensely strong stockade, lined by the hunters armed, and further protected by fires. Outside are seen other elephants, secured by strong cords to trees ; some reconciled to their fate, others unruly and furious, and one actually dead from rage and ex- haustion in his vain struggles to get loose. Here and there will be seen one being soothed and coaxed over by two tame elephants ; while those in the enclosure are enjoying their little remnant of liberty by spouting water through their trunks, and making uncouth play. A number of native and European spectators in high-raised galleries or scaffolds are watching the operation of filtering the less furious through the funnel of a narrow passage leading to a sort of pound adjoining the large enclosure. Native chiefs in palanquins, on horseback, and on foot, with. their dancing-girls, parasol, and fan-bearers, and other at- tendants-country people, native huntsmen, and Europeans, grouped in various parts-give character and animation to the scene.

The painting is skilfully executed ; and the impression it conveys of the scenery of the country, and the process of taking elephants, is vivid and satisfactory. It is a pleasing and instructive exhibition for both old and young.

In an ante-room are a number of Mr. DANIELL'S highly-finished oil paintings of the architecture and animals of India-of themselves a little exhibition.