The First Number of a series of Views in India,
by Captain Leann, gives a favourable promise of a picturesque and interesting work. The sketches are various, and comprise scenery, antiquities, and native cha- racter; and they are drawn on stone in a superior style, by Captain LUARD himself. In a.brief preface, the author makes an apology for the imperfection of these his first attempts in lithography; but it was scarcely needed, except to hint at an improvement in the future plates. Captain LUARD is equally successful whether he delineates scenery, architecture, or figures. A group of snake-catchers is drawn with great ability and artist-like skill ; the curiously- ornamented tomb, and a singular tower of great height, appear to be accurately drawn ; and figures are introduced in the fore- ground with good taste. Of the two views of scenery, that of Major Kennedy's Villa is better than the other, in which the great gun at Bhurtpore forms the principal object in the foreground : the drawing of this plate is masterly, but it is dull and heavy, while the rest are very clear and bright. A native prince seated in his doubar, on an elephant richly caparisoned, makes a very striking picture, and is admirably executed. Slight descriptions accompany the plates. The subscribers have no reason to regret that the engraver was not employed ; what might have been gained in finish would have been lost in spirit. But for lithography, this entertaining work would have been lost to the public, as the author tells its that the expense of en- graving would have deterred him from publishing.
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