REVIEWS OF PRINTS AND ILLUSTRATED WORKS. 203 



Here the restricted limits of " The Analyst" and my health compel 

 me to conclude, without having even half executed my intended outline ; 

 and I must reserve the pleasure of continuing some critical observations 

 on this very splendid exhibition, in the next number of the publication, 

 as a literary volunteer. 



Sept. 14, 1834. 



REVIEWS OF PRINTS AND ILLUSTRATED WORKS. 



" Landscape Jllnstrations of the Poetry of Burns ;'* London, Cochrane 

 & M'Crone, 11, Waterloo Place. 



In fulfilment of our promise to make these exquisite achievements of art the sub- 

 ject of our critical comment, we hasten with pleasure to the task. The first, a 

 vignette view of " the birth-place of Burns," drawn by W. Booth, from the original 

 sketch taken by Stothard, in 1812, is, from association, one of particular interest ; 

 the " clay-built cottage," the trees, the high bushes, the banks, and the rural path- 

 way with the blithe lasses engaged in an innocent causerie, are happily brought 

 together so as to produce a picturesque combination. The figures are most 

 deliciously put in, with an elegant rusticity breathing of the painter whose pencil 

 was grace and loveliness : the print is brilUantly executed by R. Brandard. The 

 succeeding illustrations are from drawings by D. O. Hill, who has displayed in 

 these specimens the most favorable proofs of his power. " The monument to Burns, 

 on the banks of the Doon, Ayrshire;" by R. Graves, is, possibly, a little too 

 laboured ; the scene is clustered with a promiscuous assemblage of visitors — fashion- 

 able belles and beaux, seated on the sward with music books before them ; and old 

 men, and Highlanders in the national costume, making merry, apart. The design 

 presented innumerable difficulties to the engraver ; it is crowded, and bears evident 

 traces of over anxiety ; greater simplicity would have rendered it much more 

 impressive, and drawing-room groups utterly destroy the poetical proprieties of the 

 scene ; the " Muse of Coila" would have been meet mourner at the monument of 

 her favorite bard. The view of " Tay-mouth" is beautiful in the extreme ; in fact, 

 a chef-d'oeuvre ; the figures are small brilliants. " The Braes of Ballochmyle," by 

 W. J. Cooke, a romantic and richly-wooded scene, with the river winding through 

 flowery and broom-clad banks ; a slight heaviness of handling in the principal trees 

 is a drawback on the general attractiveness of the engraving. "The Birks of 

 Aberfeldy," by R. Brandard, are enchanting ; nothing can exceed the sharpness, 

 spirit and deUcacy of the Artist's burin. " Lincluden College," by W. Outhwaite, 

 tliough cleverly engraved, is not so imposing in character as we might have expected ; 

 the sun-light effect is very successfully given. "The Field of Bannockburn," 

 felicitously executed by E . Goodall, cannot be dwelt upon without intense interest ; 

 the exquisite little figures introduced are so many Unks of association with the story 

 of that memorable scene. " Dumfries, from Castledyke," by E. Goodall, is engraved 

 with surprising harmony ; and the design full of taste. " Coilsfield, with the 

 Castle of Montgomery restored," not one of Brandard's happiest contributions ; 

 there is a tendency to the false glitter of mere black and white, and the figure of 

 the bard is an absolute spot which defaces rather than embellishes the plate ; the 

 foliage of the trees in the distance is touched in with the charming freedom and ve- 

 racity for which the artist is eminent. " Ayr," by W. Millar, a graceful illustration 

 tenderly executed. " Nithsdale," by W. J. Cooke, is also extremely beautiful; the 

 incident of the bard seated on a httle eminence, and penning a stanza, is judiciously 

 imagined. 



Upon the whole these are embelUshments of uncommon excellence, slightly vary- 

 ing in the degrees of that excellence, as must be the case where a variety of talent 

 is called into requisition ; but still sustaining throughout a claim to a most liberal 

 share of encomium. Brandard's productions are among the gems of the series. As 

 specimens of art they would grace any portfolio ; and as illustrations of Burns they 

 must be welcome and valuable to every admirer of that gifted individual. 



ho. III. 2d 



