Although the exhibition has been open for nearly two months it was not until last week that I managed to find time to visit the Guildhall in order to see the magnificent loan collection of pictures got together by the Corporation of the City London with the laudable object I conclude of educating the masses, as these exhibitions are now held twice a year and are entirely free, sixpence only being charged for the catalogue which is full of valuable information and worth far more. I had a grest artistic treat, as not only are some of Turner's most noted works included but there are famous Romneys, Gainsboroughs, Constables, and other cele brated artists' works to be seen, Among the Turners I think [was most interested in The Mursiage of the Adriatic with its marvellous colouring. It is well-known from engravings, but_ the original was new to me; it is one of the largest pictures in the collection. An interesting feature is three likenesses of the artist—one by George Dance is said to be the only portrait Turner ever sat for—another by J. T. Smith was taken surreptitiously, and the third by John Phillip, R.A., painful likeness) was taken a yeat before his death, All three are so entirely different: as to make it difticuls to believe they are intended for the same nan.
Among the Romneys there are two portraits of Lady Hamilton, one as St. Cecil and the other as Euphrosyne. I prefer the latter. John Opie's Fortune teller is full of interest as also is Sir David Wilkie's Rentday in which all the figures are said to be likenesses of well-known people.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.