Thuraday's exhibition, though not a very atrong one in the umber of pictures exhi-ted, was so good as regards the merit of individual pictures, that it will be a very pity if the Society is allowed to expire. 'There have be severity with which the critics ha the efforts of our amateura has disinclined to exhibit, and therefore hod the attractiveness of of the Society; but we truat that these rumoura are unfounded, for amateurs cannot make ud' those who do paint well discouraged, if indifferent work ised as if it' were yood. There are always ly good pictures these exhibitions to prove that there la plenty of room i for the Svciety; and it will be a distinct lose to the community if a feeling of hopelessness or mere apathy allow it to die of inanition. In yesterday's exhibition there were several pictures which would not be out of place in a much more amb tious display; and there was no' picture 10 badly ur carelessly printed ne to lend the spectator tou wonder that the hanging
who do not yet paint well will be seriously prejudiced if they are to be deprived for the future of the opportunity of aveing what better artists have done they cannot appreciate thole own deficiencies if they cannot compare their work with higher examples. No. 1 in Thuraday's exhibition wes a hand screen in water colour, " An Onl," excellently drawn, though the co-Touring was somewhat fanciful. No. 2 sonal Creek, Peilo," had too much the effect of an engineering drawing; the lines were too stiff and rigid, and' the colouring of the water shewed an insufficient study of nature, No.3, Head of " Chinese: Boy," was very eud; to lieable to catch the Chinese cest of face and reproduce it without European it, is w special gift, with which this artist ie undeniably endowed, Nor is she lose successful with a home subject, for, beyond question, No. 4, In the Nut Walk," was the pleasantest pictness in the exhibit he subject Wes tremely pretty, and the treatment mast ly; we have seldom sven a better figure picture by an amateur. If we wished to be very critical, we might suggest that the righ: arm of the figure was w little uncer. tain in deawing, but the girl herself was 1g, and the touch of colour given by the rose at her waist so artistic, that criticism was lost in admiration, No. 5, sketch in oils called 'A Rainy Day, Valley of the Lingwy, N. Wales," was' one of of the exhi on, The waler the background and the trees on the the foliage on eft being nieve wut ofthe Lingwy," though the Aubject was more gloomy, the clouds on the mountain, and the monutai itself, were done with the spirit of " master; and there was an evenness of execution throughout the picture that punt fully ona level with Nos, 4aud 5. No. 7, Pagoda at on waw accurately drawn, with the exaction of the smoking Faftoman, but the colouring was somewhat dead, with " lack ere, No. 8, "On the River, waa w pretty bit, and the four Christmas cardo, Nos. 9 and 10, wore charming examples of the truthfuluss and delicvey for which this water-colouriat famous, and which he has not yet succeeded in preserving in hia work in oils, and 12, Newring Hongkong" and ing Juuks," were-not up the highest level this arris were goud, and the former would have been hotter if the hills on the left had been Guished the light in the latter was well man: aged, if a little cold; the deawing of the junks was very good. No, 13, Landecape," a espy, did not call ich ro-mark, -No. 1, At Chapoo," had much merit og drawing, but a want of shade withal, No, 15, 0 copy called "Golden Summer Hours," made a pretty pictur but the was open to criti A pliotogeaph frame, No. 16, was extremely \d was sketchy, brought up to their yellow flowers, admirably painted, in the foreground. The same artist sent an amusing pair of screens representing witches on brooms, and a teapot and cup, called "Still "Life," hardly up to th evel of her work, The influence of Mr riy inferiority original designs. The peach: which are one of the few natural attra tions of which the vicinity of Shanghai can boast, were rendered with a fidelity and beauly, very charming. One other pretty water-colour of sea and islands thers was, not mentioned in the catalogue; and will be seen from our hasty report, that if the display was a emall one, the large
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.