families. In the distance are the cliffs of Sussex and the palm-tree o'ershadowing the family mansion, whence Paternal and Maternal care takes the children during the autumnal months. They are evidently going somewhere else. On a single line of rails on the still sea-shore, within hearing of the murmuring old ocean of the ancient poets, modern invention takes its way. The allegory is complete. The unchanging sea side by side with the variable steam-spirit of the age. The crescent moon is smiling in the sky, while the last rays of the summer's sun illumine the horizon. The shadows cast by every one of the wheels, separately, is most life-like, and are evidences of the great care and attention paid by this rising painter, to the smallest and apparently most trifling details. We can almost feel the breeze coming across the bright blue sea, that calls to mind STANFIELD's happiest performances. There is no want of refinement here, although the intensity of truth displayed in this picture, proves that the artist is determined to represent nature, as she represents herself to him. Another instance of his great faithfulness, is the dress of the cheerful stoker, and his honest companion the driver. Who would not, without catalogue or other information, at once recognise in the white frocked, neatly capped, light trousered, cleanly figures, the forms so familiar to all travellers by rail? There is throughout this work a vital character which speaks volumes, for painters endeavouring to master the difficulties of their art. No. 10. The Blind Maid.-In treating this domestic subject, which is merely a girl pulling down the iron blinds in a three windowed room, if the painter's object is only to give sensuous pleasure, perfection of workmanship is absolutely essential. But MR. WOOD prides himself upon moral teaching by means of his art; and the merit of blind obedience to superiors, is here beautifully shown in the conduct of the maid, who is evidently executing her mistress's, or master's, commands. The good confiding girl does not reason with herself that it is broad daylight, and therefore to totally exclude the light and air is unreasonable and unhealthy; no, her vocation is to be a servant, and to yield her services to the requirements of her employers. "Blind obedience to an Iron Will" is the moral, and should be the title, of MR. WOOD'S picture. In regarding the pattern of the carpet, the stick in the hands of the maid, and the colour of the wall, we cannot but notice too great an insistance upon accessories and detail. All the other part is in subordination, and there is, we fancy, no danger of MR. WOOD becoming hard and wooden. The girl's head is in admirable drawing, and reminds us somewhat of MR. SAM. LAWRENCE's style, that is, if, without any disparagement to our present painter, MR. LAWRENCE's heads were not simply inimitable. CHARMING PROPOSAL Lunch.-More wasps. Desultory feeding as before. Helping each other by fits and starts. Hornets join the merry throng. After a time a queen wasp and a king hornet, to judge by their size. The king hornet suddenly disappears, it is supposed that he is insidiously on the carpet. Luncheon finished. FOR REDUCING THE PRICE OF BUTCHER'S MEAT. YESTERDAY morning a Deputation, consisting of MADEMOISELLES GWENDOLINE, GERTRUDE, MINNIE, and MAUD, waited on Paterfamilias in his library, as Head of the Home Department. The Deputation emanated from a number of very young ladies assembled at LADY FELICIA GAY's the dansante, where the present extravagant charges for veal-cutlets formed the topic of animated and earnest discussion. Afternoon. In the shade flies, small but imitating wasps. In the sun, wasps and hornets. Horse-flies from three till four. Dogs try to catch wasps, and shake their heads for some time afterwards. Dinner.-A few wasps. King hornet still unaccounted for. The Deputation was received by the Head of the Home Department Evening Cockchafers on the lawn; also Gnats who bite viciously. with some surprise but much cordiality, and MADEMOISELLE GWENDO- Daddy longlegs. Moths of all sizes, in-doors. Bats outside. Toads LINE having been prompted to speak, commenced reading a beautifully-on gravel walk. All, except toads, in bed-room. See with tongs if written address, on gilt-edged paper, in these words:-"Dear Papa,- king hornet is in my slippers. Spider on bed curtains. Daddies whirring I dare say you are rather astonished at this intrusion on your privacy, about. Hate country. Shall at once return to my rooms and my Club but for myself and sisters I can sincerely say that we would not have in St. James's Street. invaded this seat of learning, save under peculiar and pressing circumstances. (Hear) For some time past we have seen with sympathetic sorrow the distressing effect which the butcher's bill has had upon our dear Papa, when submitted for his examination and approval. Often have we been tempted to give expression to our emotions, as our dear Papa with knitted brow bent over that vexatious and intricate account. But we besitated, and were lost, having no knowledge of figures beyond that which we had acquired in learning a quadrille. (Hear, hear!) So things went onwent on-[manuscript illegible] Oh! I see. Το resume. Woman in all ages, and of all ages, has delighted in selfsacrifice-witness, suttees in India, crinoline in England, et cetera, et cetera. We said to one another, It is in our power to reduce the price of sweet-breads by a little-a very little-reduction in one important particular. Need I say, Papa, that what artillery is to you, millinery is to us? No conquest can be secured without it. We have, nevertheless, resolved to sacrifice many, many yards of tulle, with a view of shaming into moderation those who are responsible for such extravagant prices; and if they have one spark of chivalry in them, that halcyon time will soon arrive, for who could see our forlorn condition, and not revise his stern tariff, unless, indeed, he should have in addition to a knife a heart of steel?"" The Head of the Home Department acknowledged that he was highly gratified by this mark of filial devotion, and hoped that a similar spirit would spread and deepen in every direction. The Deputation were deserving of much praise. Their readiness to put the lamb before the lawn, and to forego the flounce to save the fillet, did them infinite credit. Without wishing to say one word in disparagement, he thought however, in a matter of this domestic nature they had better study ADAM SMITH than Don Quixote, for he humbly confessed that he could not very clearly see any close connection between chivalry and cutlets. MADEMOISELLE GWENDOLINE, having consulted with her companions, observed that if Papa dear was of that opinion, they would at once withdraw their proposition. They were bent, however, on self-denial in some shape, and so long as veal continues at its present price," she added, “we will touch nothing but chicken and venison." The Home Department suggested that it would be better for the Petitioners to revert to their original scheme of retrenchment, although, he smilingly observed, by confining their diet to chicken, they would always have something pleasant, a merry thought, to brighten their repast. After some further remarks, of no public interest, the Deputation, having volunteered to serve at any time on a Committee of Ways and Means, returned cheerfully to their croquet. TRULY RURAL. IN A COTTAGE NEAR A WASPS' NEST. NOTES BY A DISGUSTED VISITOR FROM LONDON. Morning-The early bee on my dressing table. Suicide of earwig in my bath. Have to shake all my clothes to see that nothing has crawled in during the night. Feel in the toes of my slippers with the tongs. Once knew a man who found a wasp in the toe of his slipper. Repeat process with boots. Breakfast time-First appearance of wasps. Desultory feeding in consequence. Everything on the table, including napkins, becomes a defensive weapon against the wasps. Some are knocked down. Uncertainty as to their being killed. They crawl and sting. Once knew a man who was stung through his stockings by a crawling wasp. Everyone sits like a tailor or Turk on his chair. Ladies nervous. Pocket handkerchiefs used for hitting at wasps. Knew a man once who got a wasp in his pocket handkerchief, and it crept up his nose. Forget what became of him. Between Breakfast and Lunch.-Wasps on the grass. Under the trees. In the sun, in the shade. Any place on the grass free from wasps is occupied by ants, or bumble bees. They say bumble bees don't sting. I tried one. Didn't it. Sit by side of murmuring brook. Dragon-flies, fearful looking creatures that come at you with a whirring noise. They say they don't sting. Never tried. Don't intend to. LAY OF THE BELL. When solemn, they call me a fright: And when touched my noise deafens them quite. I care not for merry-go-rounds, But dearly delight in a swing; And my happiness goes beyond bounds When a handsome hand gives me a ring. To me charming fellows have bowed, Their silver tone sweet as a coo; Big Ben of his notes was so proud! And a stir made in Parliament too. But when Ben had got up in the world, There was one thing-sound sense, which he lacked Tom of Oxford once showed me a chain, My love to a learned divine; Who's too fond of each horrid dead tongue, A Valuable Member of American Society. RECENT advice from America informs us that "the importers, bankers, and traders of New York, have offered $5,000 reward for the apprehension of EDWARD KETCHUM." A defaulter, whose capture is considered to be worth so much as that, must be a precious rogue. Not a few, perhaps, of MR. KETCHUM'S Countrymen have been heard to express the hope that KETCHUM will be ketched. OXFORD IN THE FUTURE, OR THE NEW FRESHMAN. NAVVY. "GALLON O' AUDIT ALE, GUV'NOR, PLEASE. I'S GOT T' BLUNT TO PAY VOR 'N." |