SALE OF PICTURES BY SIR JOSHUA REYNOLDS, IN 1823.

THE sale of Pictures by this renowned painter at Christie's Rooms, after the death of the Marchioness of Thomond, yielded indubitable proofs of his superior excellence as an artist. The competition to become purchasers was unprecedentidly ardent, and the prices appeared unparalleled for the works of the ancient artists. The Charity' sold for 1,500 guineas, a larger sum than has ever been given before for a single picture produced by an Englishman, with the exception of Christ healing the Sick, painted by the late Mr. West for the British Institution, purchased from the venerable President of the Royal Academy under peculiar circumstances.

The following Eleven pictures are the original designs for the compartments of the window of New College, Oxford, which was copied in stained glass by Jervis, that picture which forms the centre of the windows, the subject of which is the Nativity, was the property of the Duke of Rutland, and destroyed by fire at Belvoir Castle :—

'Charity,' purchased by Lord Norman- GUINEAS. ton, for

'Faith' by ditto, for

1,500

400

'Hope,' purchased by Lord Normanton, for 650 "Temperance' by ditto, for

600

as Shepherds at the Nativity,' by Earl Fitzwilliam, for

410

600

175

A Shepherd Boy and Dog by ditto, for

6

Young St. John and the Lamb,' by Mr.

Danby, for

A Nymph and Cupid,' the admirable fancy subject usually termed the Snake in the Grass, was purchased by Mr. Soane, the Architect, for

Who also bought Sir Joshua's Copy of the Marlborough Gems, for

Dido or a funeral pile,' bought by Sir
C. Long for the British Institution, for
'Hope nursing Love,' by Mr. Morritt of
Portland Place, for

A Young Shepherdess,' by Colonel Howard of Grosvenor Square, for

• Portrait of Lady Spencer,' by Mr. Wansey, for

'A whole length Portrait of the late Earl of Dunmore,' for

for

'Portrait of Admiral Lord Rodney,' for
'Portrait of the Duchess of Marlborough,'

A Girl's head with a string of pearls interwoven in her hair,' by Lord de Dunstanville, for

'A bold Landscape and Figures,' by Mr. Cunliffe, for

Stuart Wortley purchased the Portrait of Mrs. Robinson at a large price.

GUINEAS.

42

400

There were a few bronzes and pictures of the first class by the Old Masters, but as the productions of Sir Joshua Reynolds's pencil were evidently the great point of attraction, these were considered to obtain but indifferent prices.

The Marriage of St. Catherine,' painted by Correggio, to the eloquent and elaborate description of which Mr. Christie devoted two entire pages of his catalogue, and what formerly was valued at £2000, was purchased for the Duke of Northumberland, for

'A sleeping Cupid,' by Guido, bought by Mr. Danby, for

for

The Enchantress,' by Teniers, sold

'Cleopatra dissolving the pearl,' painted by Jan. Steen, sold for

A fine plaster bust of Dr. Johnson, much esteemed by Sir Joshua Reynolds, was purchased by Mr. James Boswell for

215

85

160

70

10

GUINEAS.

An original bust of Sir Joshua Reynolds in marble, by an Italian Artist, and from which Sir Joshua Reynolds seems to have taken all the portraits of himself painted late in life, was purchased by Mr. George Watson Taylor for

A noble group of Nessus and Deianira,' in bronze, was purchased by Lord Yarmouth for the King, at

A fine equestrian figure of Marcus Aurelius, in bronze, sold for

160

75

35

The amount of the Second day's Sale exceeded £15,000, which is £5,000 more than the highest and the most sanguine estimate previously made of their value.

THE TEMPLE OF THESEUS.

From Haygarth's Greece: a Poem.
Here let us pause, e'en at the vestibule
Of Theseus' fane-with what stern majesty
It rears its pond'rous and eternal strength,
Still perfect, still unchang'd, as on the day
When the assembled throng of multitudes

With shouts proclaim'd th' accomplish'd work, and fell
Prostrate upon their faces to adore

Its marble splendour. How the golden gleam
Of noonday floats upon its graceful forms,
Tinging each grooved shaft, and storied frize
And Doric triglyph! How the rays amidst
The op'ning columns glanc'd from point to point,

Stream down the gloom of the long portico;

Where link'd in moving mazes youths and maids
Lead the light dance, as erst in joyous hour
Of festival! how the broad pediment,

Embrown'd with shadow frowns above, and spreads
Solemnity and reverential awe!

Proud monument of old magnificence!
Still thou survivest, nor has envious time
Impair'd thy beauty, save that it has spread
A deeper tint, and dimm'd the polish'd glare
Of thy refulgent whiteness. Let mine eyes
Feast on thy form, and find at ev'ry glance
Themes for imagination, and for thought:
Empires have fallen, yet art thou unchang'd;
And destiny, whose tide engulphs proud man,
Has roll'd his harmless billows at thy base.

THE BANKER AND THE PAINTER.

CARLO ROSSI, who frequently paid more for one of Salvator Rosa's pictures than would have startled an Italian prince to think of, sometimes resisted the high prices which Rosa put on his works. On these occasions the painter would not abate a ducat; and Rossi withdrew without disputing the point, leaving a free field to more opulent chapmen. Rosa, having thus satisfied his selfesteem, and kept the picture for some time by him, most frequently sent it as a present to Rossi, who durst not refuse it, lest he should lose a friend and a picture at the same time.