Horace Vernet's picture of the "Capture of the Malakoff," painted
for the town of Antrim, the native place of General M‘Mahon the divisional officer in command when that brilliant exploit was performed, is quite up to public expectation. A corporal of Zouaves is planting the national colours on the summit, heedless of the "mitraille" around him ; by his side stands General M•Mahon and two aides ; on the left, a few paces below, is an English staff:officer, who is introduced not only as effective in the composition, but as contributing to the historical point. According to the French accounts, a remonstrance was presented by the English against the occupation of this perilous post ; to which, of course according to the same authorities, the General proudly replied, "Libre a vous de vous porter ou il vous plaira; quant h moi, je Buis ici et
y reste." Anyhow, the painting is forcible and full of animation. Dead Zouaves mingled with Russian corpses break the line of the ascent; on the right, a wounded &nave full of vivid sympathy with the dan- gerous honour achieved before his eyes is struggling with his last effort to reach the crest of the Mamelon. The five principal figures stand out against a clear bright sky, and the groups below are in various contrasts of shadow admirably disposed.
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