104 BIRMINGHAM SOCIETY OF ARTS. 



groups, complete in themselves, the general effect is perfect and 

 harmonious. The scene thus nobly represented, is the ancient chi- 

 valric ceremony of the knights making a vow, at a grand festival, 

 at which, in times of yore, the peacock performed an important part. 

 " Between the courses of the repast, two damsels entered the hall, 

 advancing to the sound of solemn minstrelsy, and bearing the pea- 

 cock roasted in its feathers, in a golden dish, to each knight in suc- 

 cession, who made his vow, and sanctioned his resolution by appeal- 

 ing to God and the Virgin Mary, the ladies, and the peacock. The 

 dish was then placed on the table, and the lord of the festival de- 

 puted some renowned knight to carve it in such a manner that each 

 might partake." — See Saint Palaye and others, Histoire de Chival- 

 rie. In the centre of the ]>icture, stand the two fair damsels with 

 their glittering burden : each perfectly beautiful : one dark, — the 

 other fair-haired. The splendid plumage of the peacock, in which 

 every feather is painted with ornithological exactness, yet grand 

 effect, droops over the golden dish to the floor of the dais, or plat- 

 form, on which the ceremony is performed. In the act of taking 

 the vow, stands a knight, completely armed, save the helm ; with 

 his sword raised" over the peacock, and the ladye of his love, leaning 

 on his shoulder, looks down towards an attendant, who kneels to 

 fasten on the spurs. Another fair and graceful dame, gorgeously 

 apparelled, (as are they all) assists at the ceremony. To the right 

 is a group of two knights and their dames, shewing well by con- 

 trast : the first, merrily laughing at the gay and sportive creature 

 who is tying a scarf over his armour ; and his companion well-nigh 

 as sorrowful as the fair girl who is weeping on his neck. In the 

 one corner of the picture sit the old harpers and other musicians, 

 whose varied faces and figures are a study in themselves. Opposite 

 to these are some fat, sleek monks, evidently enjoying the good fare 

 which the festival gives them, and luxuriating in idleness, ease, and 

 gluttony. Along the well-stored tables are ranged knights and la- 

 dies, — the coquette, the demure, the gay, the grave, — each playing 

 her part, and looking her loveliest. Among the most pleasing is a 

 young mother, holding her fair boy upon his father's knee, while he 

 plays with the warrior's sword; at their feet lie the shield and 

 helmet, in the painting of which, and of the chief knight's armour, 

 the art seems to have excelled itself: one would almost believe that 

 Mac Clise, together with the chivalric lore of olden times, had 

 gained some knowledge of their " gramoury," and had turned wi- 

 zard ; for such a wonder-working pencil seems to possess more than 

 mere common cunning. Nor are the countenances of the ladies, or 

 their brave and brilliant attire, less exquisitely delineated : and the 

 proud war-steeds, which, with pranksome curvet and arching neck, 

 are pacing through the castle court, are each perfect in form, and 

 varied in position. But it is an useless task thus to catalogue, as it 

 were, the materials of this magnificent work, — it is, indeed, " de- 

 scribing the indescribable." 

 -87 landscape. — Composition. — Barrett. Very fine ; but to our 



