66 THE THREE PRESIDENTS. 



The first on foot was Jacques Legris, who aiming a fierce stroke at 

 the Sire de Carrouges, wounded him in the thigh ; but the latter 

 collecting all his strength, in great wrath struck down his antagonist 

 to the ground ; they closed immediately, and struggled hard for the 

 mastery, each endeavouring to gain the upper hand, which at first 

 seemed to promise for Jacques Legris, who being younger and more 

 active, closely pressed the Sire de Carrouges. But the latter, ham- 

 pering the arms of Jacques Legris, disengaged his own left hand, and 

 drawing his dagger, cried out in a broken voice, " Say, say, that 

 my quarrel is good lest your soul descend to hell without ab- 

 solution." " Never," exclaimed Jacques Legris, and as he spoke 

 he strove, by violent efforts, to disengage himself; but the dagger of 

 Carrouges gleaming for a moment in the air, in the next had pierced 

 his side, and his heart's-blood dyed the blade. He strove, but 

 ineffectually, to raise his own weapon, but his arm fell powerless by 

 his side, and, with a deep moan, he gave up his soul to God. 



At the same instant, and while a shudder at his violent death per- 

 vaded the assemblage, a man covered with dust pressed through the 

 crowd in great haste, and rushed towards the pavilion of the marshal. 

 *' My lord, my lord," said he, in a hurried whisper, " the baillie of 

 Caen has sent me in all haste to you, in order to inform you that we 

 hold in prison the wretch who confesses to have committed the crime 

 on the lady of Carrouges ! the proof of which is contained in this 

 parchment." And he presented to him a long scroll, to which were 

 appended the seals of office ; while the corpse of the unfortunate 

 Jacques Legris was being dragged out of the field by the feet. 



THE THREE PRESIDENTS. 



THE British Institution has recently opened with an Exhibition of 

 some of the works of Reynolds, West, and Lawrence ; a room is 

 devoted to each of these masters, so that their individual, as well as 

 their comparative merits may be estimated. The comparison be- 

 tween Sir Joshua and Sir Thomas is certainly unfavourable to the 

 latter ; but at the same time it is unjust, for his genius was of so 

 opposite a character that it is difficult to appreciate it, when brought 

 into close contact with that of Sir Joshua. There is too much devilry 

 in Sir Joshua's pencil for the elegance and suavity of Lawrence his 

 force of effect and sunny breadth put out the other's milder light. 

 The very carefulness of drawing and delicacy of finish of the last 

 President appear weak, when brought into collision with, the glowing 

 colour and natural simplicity of style of the other. Sir Joshua knocks 

 Sir Thomas to pieces. Upon entering the middle room, after having 

 feasted one's eyes upon the contents of the north end of the Gallery, 

 the works of the latter appear painted with rose pink and white : the 

 most vigorous touches seem petty, the broadest effect flat, and the 

 finest expression insignificant. As well might a comparison be insti- 

 stuted between the physiognomy of the two painters as between their 

 pictures. Look at the portraits of the men each by his own hand ! 



