BRITISH INSTITUTION.

To stimulate, encourage, and reward the progress of British art, was the principle on which this excellent Institution was founded; and, by affording to students in painting an opportunity of inspecting, copying, or imitating some of the finest productions of the ancient and modern schools-by opening an annual exhibition of their performances, for sale—and by awarding handsome premiums to the most successful artists, in the respective branches of historical and landscape painting-its. objects have been accomplished, to an extent that could scarcely have been within the reach of anticipation.

In the earlier periods of the Institution, its rooms were indebted to many of the nobility, and others, for the loan of numerous master-pieces of art, chiefly of the Foreign School; last year, its walls were honoured with the paintings of our country man, Sir Joshua Reynolds; and, in the present season, it has contributed still further to the improvement of artists, and to the gratification of the public, by exhibiting the works of Hogarth, Wilson, Gainsborough, and Zoffani.

On beholding this admirable assemblage of talent-this fascinating constellation of varied excellence-we were about to exclaim-Where is the boasted improvenient -the vaunted superiority of the moderns! Willingly, however, we would not incur the charge of invidiousness, and the harsh exclamation was checked, cre it had birth. A selection from the works of our principal contemporary artists—and the present exhibition, in Pall Mall, must, in some measure, be regarded as a selection from the works of the last age-would produce a widely different sensation in the spectator, to that which he feels on contemplating the heterogeneous congregation of pictures, which annually demands attention at Somerset House.

The circumstance of Gainsborough's pictures being exhibited at this national establishment, will impart additional interest to the following remarks, which, from their geucral justness, and coincidence with our own opinions, we find no difliculty in adopting.

"It has been doubted whether the superiority of Hogarth was confined to his prints, or whether he had not great and almost equal merit as a painter, There has been considerable difference of opinion on this question, for which the pictures now at the Institution will easily account. The earlier specimens are evidently inferior to those of a later period, both in colour and execution, even some of those from

which the finest of the prints are taken, such as The Election Dinner, The Chairing the Member, &e. As mere pictures, they are raised very little above the standard of common sign-painting; whereas, it is almost impossible to speak too highly of the mechanical excellence of some of the later works, and particularly of The Marriage a-la-Mode, which, in richness, harmony, and clearness of tone, and in truth, accuracy, and freedom of pencilling, would stand a comparison with the best productions of the Dutch school. In this series, Hogarth evidently considered colour as a systematic and integral part of his art. There is the most elaborate nicety, as well as felicity, often observable in the arrangement and opposition of colour, as in the red of the chairback next to the hair of the woman listening to the music in the third picture, the black and white dog getting upon the breakfast table in the last, the green dress of the negro boy, &c. The view of the outer room in the second picture is in a style of the most exquisite and airy splendour. Among the portraits to which curiosity will be directed, are one of Miss Fenton (afterwards Duchess of Bolton) a beautiful and elegant head, and a whole length of Captain Coram, of which the character, composition, and colouring, are admirable. The Sigismunda has been censured as a vulgar composition, and cited as a proof that Hogarth could not raise his imagination above the standard of common life and actual observation. On the contrary, it appears to us to be painted in the true spirit of fine history-to be delicate in the exccution, and refined in the expression, at once beautiful and impassioned, and though not in the first, probably in the second class of pictures of this description.

The pictures of Zoffani in the Collection are highly curious and interesting as fac similies (for such they seem to be) of some of the most celebrated characters of the last age. Wilson's landscapes will afford a high treat to every lover of the art. In all that relates to the gradation of tint, to the graceful conduct and proportions of light and shade, and to the fine, deep, and harmonious tone of nature, they are models for the student. His Italian landscapes are perhaps the best. In these his eye seems almost to have druuk in the light. Neither his English scenes nor his historical compositions give us equal pleasure.

"Gainsborough's pictures display a considerable degree of taste, feeling, and fancy, particularly in the choice of the subject; but we cannot disguise our opinion that they often border upon manner, which injure the beauty and simple effect of the original composition.

"The names of Wilson, Gainsborough, and Hogarth, are associated with the proudest recollections of British genius.

"Of the first it is not too much to say, that he was the finest landscape painter that ever lived. Even the

great Claude himself must yield to Wilson, the palm of excellence. To the grandeur of composition, extent of distance, tenderness of tone, and magic of atmosphere displayed in the pictures of Claude, a greater warmth, and richness, and fullness, and mellowness of colour, a better massing and management of fore-ground, and a bolder and more masterly handling, utterly divested of all undue littlenesses of detail, are added in those of Wilson. It is lamentable to think that such a man should live almost neglected, and die almost in penury. His body now lies in the church-yard of Mold, a little obscure town in Flintshire, without even a stone to distinguish its place. But

'Genius, like Egypt's Monarch, timely wise, Constructs his own memorial ere he dies!'

"Glorious, indeed, is the memorial in the present instance! While our breasts swell with national exultation as we survey the precious accumulation, let the remembrance of the fate of him to whom we owe the feeling induce us to be careful (to use the benevolent and liberal words of the Governors of the British Institution) that the exertion of such talents may never again remain unrewarded during the life of him who possessed them.'

"Who is there with a heart so cold to the beauties of nature-so alienated from all that is touching in the sweet simplicity of rural life-as to be insensible to the charms of Gainsborough's pencil? Free from the cold restraint of academic rules-perhaps too much despising them--but fully possessed with all the better and more generous feelings of his art, this truly English and truly original painter luxuriated in the representation of those scenes amidst which his boyhood was spent, and the tender recollection

of which frequently intruded on the less pleasing cecupation of his more mature life. The present Collection is enriched with many of his most engaging productions; and the contemplation of them will afford a delightful refreshment, even to those whom a taste more cultivated and refined--or at least presumed to be so-may have restricted to the study and admiration of the severer performances of art.

"Without meaning in the slightest degree to depreciate the merit of Zoffani, we confess that we do not think he is properly associated with those great men, of whose genius we have been feebly endcavouring to express our opinion. His pictures eviuce a close observation of nature, an extraordinary power of imitating individual objects, a laborious attention that is truly astonishing, but many of them exhibit so total an absence of general effect, or of the proper subordination of parts, as to resemble a harlequin's jacket, or one of the patch-work quilts which our grandmothers have bequeathed to us. Some of his theatrical compositions, however, are exempt from this defect; and he has been very successful in fixing on his canvas those trausient expressions of face and figure, in which the skill of a great actor is so eminently displayed."

The Directors and Governors of this Establishment have awarded the first prize, of 200 guineas, to Mr. Allston, for his large Picture of "The dead man restored to life by touching the bones of the Prophet Elisha;" the second premium, of 100 guineas, to Mr. Monro's Picture of " The Disgrace of Wolsey;" and the third premium to Mr. Hofland's Picture of "The Storm off the Coast of Scarborough."

THE late Admiral Rowley, younger brother of Sir William Rowley, Bart. one of the representatives of the County of Suffolk, in the present Parliament, may be considered almost as an hereditary claimant of naval honours and distinction. His grandfather, Sir William Rowley, K. B. an eminent Commander in the reigns of George I. II. and III. was promoted to a flag in the year 1743; in 1749, he received the honorary appointment of RearAdmiral of Great Britain; in 1751, he was made one of the Commissioners for executing the office of Lord High Admiral; in 1753, he was elected one of the Knights of the

ANON.

most honourable Order of the Bath, continuing to hold the office of Commissioner of the Admiralty, through three commissi ons, till the winter of 1756; and, on the death of Lord Anson, in 1762 he succeeded that noble man (his junior in rank) in the station of Admiral of the Flect-the highest in the service. His son, Sir Joshua, father of the subject of this memoir, entered the navy at a very early period of life. He was made a Lieutenant in 1747, and a Captain in 1753. At the unfortunate affair of St. Cas, in 1758, he commanded one of the divisions of flat-boats, appointed for the re-embarkation of the troops. His conduct

aut support for twenty minutes: such, at least, was the opinion of the immortal Nelson.

Captain Rowley remained in the Mediterranean some years, till the Cumberland was ordered to England to be repaired.-On the 14th of February, 1799, he was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral; but he had no oportunity of hoisting his flag, till he was appointed to the command at Sheerness, in 1801. Whilst there, his exertions were deemed so beneficial in forwarding the views and wishes of the Admialty, that, henceforward, he was constantly employed. On the 9th of November, 1805, he was made a Vice Admiral.In April, 1807, he hoisted his flag at Deal, where he continued till February, 1808, when he was appointed to succeed the late Vice Admiral Dacres, in the chief command at Jamaica.

On that station he afforded eminent satisfaction to every class of persons. The pumerous addresses, which were presented to him from all quarters, bore ample testimony of the general expression of public gratitude, for the unremitting zeal and attention which were shewn by the Admiral, to the various interests connected with the shipping and commerce throughout the island.

Having enjoyed the command at Jamaica upwards of three years, * Admiral Rowley, to the general and deep regret of all who knew him, was taken from this earthly scene, by an attack of fever, on the 7th of October, 1811. The public loss sustained by his death was strongly marked by the universal grief apparent at his funeral. The following particulars, relating to the last sad duties of survivorship, on this occasion, are copied from The Kingston Royal Gazette, of October 12, 1811, which was forwarded to the writer of this memoir, by the kingston Editor, immediately after the event.

"It is with sincere regret that we aunounce, this week, the deccase of Bartholomew Samuel Rowley, Esq. Admiral of the Bluc, and Commander-in-Chief of his Majesty's squadron on this station; which melancholy event took place at the Pen on Monday evening, between nine and ten o'clock. The Admi ral had enjoyed uninterupted good health from the period of his arrival in this climate, until about a fortnight previous to his dissolution, when he had a very severe attack of fever, which continued with sach violence, as at length to affect his mental faculties, and, notwithstanding every medical assistance was rendered him, all efforts to save his life proved unavailing. His remains were interred in the churchyard of this city on the following afternoon, with every houoar due to his rank. The procession set out from the Pen, at about a quarter past five o'clock, at which time, on a signal being made to the flagship, the ships of war and forts commenced firing

He was promoted to the rank of Admiral of the Blue, on the 31st of July, 1810.

viz..

The Chief Justice.

The Attorney-General,

The Speaker of the House of Assembly. Members of the Privy Council, Members of the House of Assembly, Gentlemen of the Island, Na val and Military Officers, according to seniority, two

and two.

"On reaching the top of King-street, the procession was met by a brigade of troops, under the command of Colonel Douglas, of the 55th regiment, which, with a detachment of marines, with arms reversed, preceded the funeral until it arrived at the Parade. The company then leaving their carriages, and the body being taken out of the hearse by the late Anmiral's largemen, the procession passed along on foot to the church, through a space lined by the troops and marines, the bands of the 18th and 54th regiments playing a dead march.

"The service was read in the most impressive manner, by the Rev. John Campbell; and on the body being committed to the grave, a discharge of 45 rounds, from the field-pieces of the corps of Royal Artillery, with intervening vollies of musketry, closed the ceremony."

To that warm heart and friendly disposi tion which had endeared the deceased Admiral to a numerous and extended circle, the following tribute was also paid, by the Editor of the kingston Paper :

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The good qualities of this worthy man and amiable companion, assisted the deep interest which accompanied his public loss; we have scarcely ever seen a funeral, where so general a feeling of regret in all parties prevailed, In the true mourners who attended the bier, we could discover the various modifications of sorrow, as they appeared in the calm resignation of reverential respect, an in the manly tear of generous affection: and a congenial sympathy appeared visibly in the surrounding witnesses of the impressive ceremony.

"If we cannot offer topics of consolation to allay the grief of the dear friends, to whom he was 0 shortly about to return, this humble record of the estimation in which his character was held in this island, may afford some mitigation of it, when time shall have mellowed the affliction for his loss into a pions and tender recollection of his virtues."

Heraldic and Genealogical Particulars. Sir William Rowley, K. B. whose naval services are alluded to, at the commencement of the proeding Memoir, died in 1768.