SCENE FROM " MIDSUMMER-NIGHTS DREAM." 39 



colour has all the sweetness, and the execution all the firmness, which characterise 

 his best works. 



Widely different from this is the " Scene from Midsummer Nighfs Dream. Titania 

 and Bottom; Fairies attending — Peaseblossom, Cobweb, Mustardseed, Moth," &c., 

 introduced by the following quotation : — 



" If we shadows have offended. 

 Think but this (and all is mended), 

 That you have but slumber'd here 

 While these visions did appear. 

 And this weak and idle theme, 

 No more yielding but a dream. 

 Gentles, do not reprehend : 

 If you pardon, we will mend : 

 And, as I am an honest Puck, 

 If we have unearned luck 

 Now to 'scape the serpent's tongue. 

 We will make amends ere long ; 

 Else the Puck a liar call : 

 So good-night unto you all. 

 Give me your hands, if we be friends. 

 And Robin shall restore amends." — 



Epilogue. 



Admitting the exquisite colouring and charming execution of this picture, I confess 

 it never gave me any pleasure to look at it. The idea of a beautiful female 

 fondling what seems to be a non-descript animal is repugnant to the feelings : take 

 away the head of the ass, and the objection is gone ; but then the poet's concep- 

 tion would go with it. Peaseblossom, seated on a delicate white rabbit, is a sweet 

 little " bit." The work is finely engraved by Mr. S. Cousins. Another picture 

 of the year was "A Highlander," a sportsman in Highland costume advancing 

 over the crest of a rock, which raises him in relief against a sky covered with 

 clouds that forebode a heavy fall of snow : in his hand he carries an eagle he has 

 recently shot. The figure has marked character. A not unsuitable companion to this 

 was "Lassie," a Scotch girl standing at the edge of a brook, which she seetns 

 preparing to cross; by her side are two fawns. The background shows a most 

 attractive passage of landscape— a glimpse of verdant hill-side broken by incidental 

 objects. The sixth picture, " The Last Run of the, Season," is enhanced in painfulness 

 by its truth of representation : a fox lies on the ground in a state of utter exhaustion, 

 too plainly indicating that it, at least, has had its " last run " for the season, present 

 and future : the dogs must be at his heels. 



In 1852 Landseer was absent from the Academy exhibition ; but to the British 



