to a common scene and very ordinary forms, that would hardly be found, by unlearned eyes, in the natural objects. He has expressed too, with great vivacity and truth, the freshness of morning, at that season, when Nature herself is most fresh and blooming the Spring; and it requires no great stretch of fancy to imagine we perceive the influence of it on the cheeks of the Fair Wife of Bath, and her rosy companions, the Monk and Friar. In respect of the execution of the various parts of this pleasing design, it is not too much praise to say, that it is wholly free from that vice which painters term manner; and it has this peculiarity beside, which I do not remember to have seen in any picture ancient or modern, that it bears no mark of the period in which it was painted, but might very well pass for the work of some able artist of the time of Chaucer. This effect is not, I believe, the result of any association of ideas connected with the costume, but appears in a primitive simplicity, and the total absence of all affectation, either of colour or pencilling. a Having attempted to describe few of the beauties of this captivating performance, it remains only for me to mention one great defect-The picture is, notwithstanding appearances, a modern one. But if you can divest yourself of the general prejudice that exists against contemporary talents, you will see a work that would have done honour to any school, at any period.I am, Dear Sir, &c. &c., JOHN HOPPNER. CONDITIONS OF SUBSCRIPTION, The Picture is 3 Feet 1 Inch long, and 1 Foot high, The Print will be executed exactly of the same size. The Price of the Prints will be Three Guineas; Proof Impressions, Five Guineas.-Gentlemen who wish to possess this Engraving are requested to forward their address to Mr. Cromek, No. 64 Newman Street, London; and, as the number of Proof Prints will be limited, an early application is indispensable. The Purchasers of this Print are respectfully informed that it will receive a considerably increased value from the circumstance of being enriched with an engraved Portrait of Mr. Stothard, executed by Mr. Schiavonetti, in the same style of excellence as the subject itself, from a capital original picture, painted by John Hoppner, Esq., R.A., and by that Gentleman obligingly contributed for this purpose. Printed by MORRISON & GIBB LIMITED, Edinburgh Books The following volumes, which are in active preparation, will be issued at short intervals, and as far as possible in the order given :— Coloured The Life and Death of John Mytton, Esq. By NIMROD. With 18 Coloured Plates by Henry Alken and T. J. Rawlins. 3s. 6d. net. The Vicar of Wakefield. By OLIVER GOLDsmith. With 24 Coloured Plates by T. Rowlandson. 3s. 6d. net. A reproduction of a very rare book. Handley Cross. By R. S. SURTEES. With 17 Coloured Plates and 100 Woodcuts in the Text by John Leech. 4s. 6d. net. Mr. Sponge's Sporting Tour. By R. S. SURTees. Jorrocks' Jaunts and Jollities. By R. S. SURtees. net. This volume is reprinted from the extremely rare and costly edition of 1843, which contains Alken's very fine illustrations instead of the usual ones by Phiz. Ask Mamma. By R. S. SURTEES. With 13 Coloured Plates and 70 Woodcuts in the Text The Tour of Doctor Syntax in Search of the This book contains 76 Coloured Plates. The Dance of Life: A Poem. By the Author of Life in London: or, the Day and Night Scenes of Coloured Life in Paris: Comprising the Rambles, Sprees The Life of an Actor. By PIERCE EGAN. With The Analysis of the Hunting Field. By R. S. The Military Adventures of Johnny Newcome. The Adventures of Johnny Newcome in the The National Sports of Great Britain. With This book is completely different from the large folio edition of "National Sports" by the same artist, and none of the plates are similar. |