112 BIRMINGHAM SOCIETY OY ARTS. 



The third bottle (No. 4) which was sealed and covered with a 

 single piece of sail cloth, came up with very little water in it, and 

 the cork and cover of cloth pitched quite perfect. 



The fourth bottle (No. 3) with the covers of linen, was broken, 

 except the neck where the line was fast. 



The fifth bottle (No. 2) which had a long glass stopper, was 

 about half full of water. 



The globe (No. 1) came up in all respects as it was sent down, 

 with not one drop of water in it. 



Time of experiment, one hour. 



I remain, Sir, yours, &c. 



H. T. M. 



Chester, Sept. 12, 1836. 



BIRMINGHAM SOCIETY OF ARTS. 



EXHIBITION OF PAINTINGS BY THE OLD MASTERS. 



We have had several such truly magnificent collections of pic- 

 tures by the old masters amassed within the walls of this institu- 

 tion, that we cannot but deem the opinion of some contemporary 

 prints, that the present exhibition is superior to any of its prede- 

 cessors, rather an unfair decision. We are apt to think most highly 

 (in many instances) of that which we have seen most recently ; and 

 with such a gallery as this before our eyes, even we ourselves, per- 

 haps, do less than justice to the gems of art which have gladdened 

 us in former years. We will, therefore, avoid all opinion on this 

 subject, prudently observing, with Mrs. Malaprop, that " caparisons 

 are odorous ;" and straightway proceed to employ the brief space to 

 which a pressure of scientific matter limits us, in pointing out to 

 our readers a few of our especial favourites in this truly splendid 

 collection. 



Portraits of a Lady and Child, by Vandyck, is, without any 

 doubt, the loveliest portrait in the rooms ; and we question if Bri- 

 tain contains its parallel. Every peculiar charm and perfection 

 which characterise the paintings of this eminent master are here as- 

 sembled ; and over all is thrown a something more than painting, 

 an indescribable effect which makes us think the history of the 

 beings before us some half- remembered tale, and fancy strives to 

 supply what memory has not to give. The figure of the lady, robed 

 in black, is graceful and composed ; no consciousness of the painter's 

 eye being fixed upon her appears in her sweet, calm, and beautiful 



