170 FINE ARTS. 



« 



towards the civilization of our Cambrian neighbours, in Mr. Ros- 

 coe's opinion at least. His account of the South Stack Lighthouse 

 and the Rothsay Castle steam-ship wreck, though not very novel, is 

 very circumstantial ; and the former subject is well illustrated by 

 Mr. Creswick's view, where the flocks of Gulls, Guillemots, &c., 

 flying about, make the air exhibit the phenomenon of a black and 

 white snow-storm. The magnificent and gloomy scenery of Llynn 

 Idwal is admirably depicted. The Menai Bridge does not appear 

 to us a happy portrait of our old friend — it does not convey an idea 

 of the vast height and dimensions of that wonderful structure. 

 Barmouth, too, is far from a " flattering likeness." " The falls of 

 the Ogwen into Nant Frangon," with the deep, rocky glen, and 

 mountains soaring high above the clouds, make a splendid view. The 

 Fall of the Machno is another spirited and sparkling picture. In 

 the tenth number (which, by an oversight, we are noticing last 

 instead of first) is a fine picture of Cattermole's, representing Prince 

 Llewellyn and his Barons banqueting in his palace, near Aber. 

 The rather gloomy expression of all the other countenances, and the 

 deep, anxious thought which may be traced on that of the Prince, 

 seem to tell a story of ill news having reached the palace — perhaps, 

 of an English incursion — the thought of which not even the skil- 

 ful harper can dissipate. There is much fine grou})ing and spirited 

 drawing in this fine plate. The Vale of Ffestiniog, by Cox, is a 

 scene of quiet, rural, picturesque beauty ; where the winding river, 

 the rich woods, with pleasant residences peeping from their verdant 

 slopes, and towering peaks of craggy mountains rising in the back- 

 ground, form a scene uniting, in a singular decree, the beautiful and 

 sublime of British landscape scenery. In this view, as in that of 

 the Rhaidyr y Wenol, Mr. Cox has been extremely happy in the 

 point of view ; though the falling sheet of water in the latter plate 

 seems to us as displaying a flatness and fixedness not desirable in 

 such subjects: but the work, '^ take it for all in all," is one of such 

 beauty, that to cavil at small and only occasional imperfections were 

 ungenerous and hypercritical 



Mauncts Botanic Garden. Nos. 133, 134, and 135. London; 

 Simpkin and Marshall 



The plates of flowers in this elegant work are so correctly drawn, 

 delicately engraved, and carefully coloured, as to prove admirable 

 portraits of the beautiful originals. Being so arranged as for each 

 volume to be complete in itself, this work is well adapted for pre- 

 sents, now that the study and culture of flowers has become so fa- 

 vourite an occupation with the young and fair portion of society. 



