THE ARTS.
THE Second Part of Mr. GOULD'S splendid wcrk of the Birds of Europe has appeared; and is even superior to the First, in the beauty and variety of its specimens, and in the pictorial effect of the plates. The sight of a few numbers of a series of Illustrations of Wilson's American Ornithology, engraved on copper, and coloured under the direction -of Captain BROWN, afforded by contrast a striking proof of the high degree of excellence with which the plates of Mr. GOULD'S work are got up both as regards the figuring and the colouring of the birds. The richness of effect produced by the lithographic medium, in conjunction with the artist-like colouring, gives to these plates the appearance of finished drawings. The plates of the American birds are flat, thin, and poor in their effect, and wanting in relief; and the colouring of them is comparatively. opaque ; almost concealing the texture of the feathers, which, in Mr. GoeLn's work, are so beautifully represented. The American Ornithology is of the old school of such works, which are interesting to the naturalist only.. Even to the man of science it must appear under a disadvantage in comparison with the living pictures of the Himalayan and European Birds ; which are equally attractive as works of art.
The Second Part of Mr. KEARNEY'S Illustrations of the Surry Zoological Gardens is a great improvement on the First : the Vicuna and the Negro Monkey are as near as possible equal to any thing that we could expect from the pen-and-ink style of lithography. The character of the animals, both in look and action, is well preserved ; the expression of the little Negro Monkey is almost human. Notwithstanding the excellence of these lithographic imitations of etching, we should have preferred the chalk style of lithography, which has peculiar advantages, especially in the delineation of the hairy coats of animals, that are not possessed by any mode of engraving ; while the most that can be done with the pen on stone falls short of the perfection of the effects of the needle and graver on copper. In comparison with THOMAS LANDSEER'S spirited etchings of the Quadrupeds . in the Zoological Gardens, which-work is just completed, the drawings of Mr. KEARNEY, neat and accurate as they arc, appear to disadvantage. LANDSEER'S style is remarkably bold and pictorial : in some instances, its exuberance of manner degenerates into a pedantry which obscures some of its good qualities. In his representation of animals in repose, or not very violent action, LANDSEER cannot be surpassed, if equalled, in spirit and accuracy; but in some of his groups of animals, he blends them together in what at first sight appears to be an inextricable confusion, confounding the savage beast and his prey, by not preserving the distinctive forms and furs of the creatures. His otherwise clever little vignette tail-pieces are many of them spoilt by this defect. The work of Mr. LAN'DSEER is especially valuable as a picture-book. The naturalist will prefer the more sober and scientific accuracy of Mr. KEARNEY'S, whose delineations will also be more easily understood by, and therefore be more gratifying to the younger. visitors. A set of plates of Quadrupeds, coloured, and drawn with the living character that belongs to Mr. Gour-D's Birds, is yet a desideratum, which we hope to see supplied.
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