the picturesque details of the old houses in the "Place de la Bass Vieille Tour, Rouen;" and Charles Vacher beautifies the walls with sunny memories of Italy and the Lago Maggiore. The "Return from the Harvest" is an exquisite little picture, carefully finished, and exhibi's, as it ought to do, a marked improvement in this artist's work. Nothing can be fresher than Mr. Thomas Robins' marine views: his "Vessels running into Flushing Roads,' ""Fishermen dredging off the Nore," and "Spit Buoy, Portsmouth, in the distance," affect us in imagination with the scent of sea-water; nor is he less graphic in his view of "Rochester." John Absolon's "Going to Market" (Crecy) is a faithful picture; the sandy road, the yellow green of the fields, the trees, like overgrown mushrooms, the rude way-side cross, the distant windmill, and picturesque group of wayfarers, are admirable; but we cannot express the same satisfaction with his "Genevre;" we do not like the subject, and the artist's treatment of it looks to us "stagy." Mrs. Harrison, as usual, scatters about flowers, fruit, and birds'nests: her" Fairlight Glen," is a charming little composition of the kind, which is not rivalled by Mrs. Margett's "May and Birds' Nests," which separate would be perfection, but together are wanting in that which gives the chief charm to such subjects-fidelity to nature. This lady's grapes and pine-apples' abound in the latter ingredient, and, while feasting the eye, tempt the appetite. Our space is so limited that we despair of pointing out the twentieth part of the pictures which we marked with this intention, but we cannot overlook Augustus Bouvier's "Daughter of the Mist," most delicate, and exquisite in colouring and manipulation. This artist's" Departure into Captivity" is, to our imagination, one of the most striking compositions in the gallery. The grouping is beautifully managed; and, in the desert space and clear atmosphere in which it is set, has the effect of an There is a pre-Raphaelite engraving in relievo. carefulness in this artist's pictures, with a gracefulness of outline and delicacy of colouring, which promise much. Mr. James Fahey has not been idle this season. We particularly noticed his "Lincoln," which is an interesting picture. The efforts of Mr. E. H. Corbould's pencil are very prominent, both from their size and the perfection of the painting. His "Village Stile" is a pretty picture; but it does not detain us as some others do. The quilted petticoat of the girl is quite a wonder. Then there are some gems by L. Haghe, two especially on the first screen-the "Fair Reckoner" and "Comfortable Quarters," so rich in colouring, so minute in details, and exquisitely finished, that, like the artist, we know not how to express our value of them.* We regret that we cannot do justice to the merits of many more pictures in the collection which shared our admiration in common with those we have mentioned, but our space is filled. THE TOILET. (Specially communicated from Paris.) COSTUME FOR SPRING DRESSES. bracelets. MA Y. Although both these dresses are made high, open corsages are beginning to return: they are a good deal trimmed, with lace bows of ribbon, &c. The varieties of materials for bonnets in straw are innumerable, representing lace, ribbon, guipure, or raised embroidery, mixed sometimes with velvet, with chenille or lace. The Tuscan-straw bonnet, trimmed with feathers or with flowers, and little or no ribbon, is always grande dame. The last invention is the Chapeau Sombrero. The Chapeau Sombrero is in pink crape gauffré, trimmed with a blonde fringe at the edge, and twisting into the interior: between each spiral is a branch of white heath. SECOND DRESS.-A gown of green moire anOn one side, and quite at the edge of the brim, tique, decorated with green velvet, forming wide there are two coques and a traverse of pink ribbon, undulations. The contours of the velvet are illus-holding two long sweeping plumes, like those of a trated with little green stars of raised embroidery. Sombrero. Corsage mousquetaire, representing a plastron of green velvet, ornamented with agrafes of passementerie. The basques are bordered with a wide green velvet. Sleeves demi-large, with an undulating band of velvet and traverses of passementerie. White under-sleeves of two deep rows of gathered embroidered muslin. Embroidered mus. It is rumoured that in a little while the proportions of the bonnets are to increase. One thing is quite certain, and that is, that they cannot diminish; and as the mode must change, the rumour seems probable. * We find no price attached in the catalogue. HONEYCOM B. THE IMPORTANCE OF COMPREHENSIVE VIEWS ON HISTORICAL AND SCIENTIFIC SUBJECTS.We detest and we despise that narrow-minded bigotry-if it ought not rather to be termed that weak and short-sighted hypocrisy-which exclaims that religion is being rooted from the land because it is found that the earth goes round the sun, and that this earth has been in process of formation for some thousands of years longer than is consistent with the traditional interpretation of the Mosaic history. But we protest still more strongly against that superficial illuminism which snatches at every imperfect discovery of human science to gratify a mad and impious vanity, by destroying all that the reason declares sacred-all that the inmost soul pronounces divine. Great moral and social problems, of the highest import to all of us, are in progress of solution. Each day is apparently bringing us nearer the consummation. Let us aid the workers; or at least not interrupt, nor ridicule, nor malign them. But when all is done, we have no doubt that here, as in everything else, it will be found that, however we may have roughhewed our ends, it is a divinity that has shaped them. From an article on "Psychological Enquiries," in The Critic. THE RUSSIAN CLERGY. In Russia, as in all civilized countries, religious ceremonies still retain all their ancient influence. They afford the peasant a brief season of pleasure and emancipation, and a relaxation from toil which enables him to revel in is a relic of the old patriarchal manners, that prevailed so long over Northern Europe. EARLY RISING.-Said the distinguished Lord Chatham to his son, "I would have inscribed on the curtain of your bed and the walls of your chamber, If you do not rise early you can make progress in nothing. If you do not set apart your else, to break in upon them, your days will slip hours of reading-if you suffer yourself, or any one through your hands unprofitably and frivolously, and unenjoyed by yourself."" NOVELTY AND RESTORATION. - In religious matters a remarkable instance of a gradual corruption and a sudden reform is the point already noticed-the keeping of the Scriptures in a language unknown to the people. This was a most enormous innovation, since the sacred writers manifestly addressed themselves to Christians of all ranks. But it was overlooked because it was no sudden innovation. The Latin language went out of use gradually. No one can fix the precise day or year on which a fresh translation was first needed. But when men did perceive the need, and translated the Bible into modern languages, this was a great and palpable novelty. And, as such, it was vehemently opposed; though, in reality, it was in spirit a restoration of the original state of things-the placing of the Scriptures before the people in a language which they understood.-Whateley on the Rise, Progress, and Corruptions of Christianity. TRUTHFULNESS.-There is a great deal of talk intoxication. The Russian clergy are said to being in the present day about truth, and "shams," exceedingly depraved and equally ignorant. Many of them pass their lives in disgraceful intoxication, which renders them incapable of discharging their religious duties. The priestly office in that country is regarded, not as a sacred calling, but as a means of escaping slavery and attaining nobility. The monks, priests, and deacons that swarm in the churches are nearly all sons of peasants who have entered the church, that they may no longer be liable to the knout, and, above all, to the misfortune of being made soldiers. But they cannot disguise the stain of their birth, and are despised and looked down upon by the petty nobles. It is no uncommon thing for one of the latter to raise his hand to strike a pope, while the former humbly bows his head to receive the chastisement. As usual in the Greek Church, all these popes are married and have large families. They receive nothing from the state, and it is the unfortunate serfs who are obliged to support them. At Easter the Russian must fulfil his religious duties, and then he is at the mercy of his priest, who makes him pay as dearly as he can for absolution, and keeps a regular tariff, in which offences and punishments are set down with minute precision. Thus, for a theft, so many dozen eggs; for breach of fast, so many chickens. The thought of complaining to his lord of the pope's exactions never enters his head; for if he were to adopt such a course, he would think himself damned for all eternity. At Easter, there are presents of painted eggs, brandy, and kissing is carried on promiscuously. During the whole of Easter week, the peasant as a right to embrace whom he pleases, not even excepting the Emperor and Empress. This and "humbugs;" but through it all one cannot help feeling that as much falsity often exists in the minds of those who declaim most loudly upon the subject, as in the very persons with whom they are finding fault. Theories of truth are, for the most part, untrue. It is practical truth which we want-conscientiousness-the agreement of the daily life with the principles upon which it is professed to be governed. Let these be what they may-high or low, religious or merely moral, founded upon right or mistaken judgment-if the constant effort of the heart is to keep the principle and the action in accordance, there is a hope-more than a hopealmost a certainty, of improvement; for the foundation of the character is true. And so, on the con trary, if we allow ourselves, in ever so slight a degree, to hold principles which we do not try, in spite of constant failure, to carry out in practice, the germ of improvement is wanting, for the foundation of the character is untrue.-Katharine Ashton. TEARS AND LAUGHTER.-God made both tears and laughter, and both for kind purposes; for as laughter enables mirth and surprise to breathe freely, so tears enable sorrow to vent itself patiently. Tears hinder sorrow from becoming despair and madness; and laughter is one of the very privileges of reason, being confined to the human species.-Leigh Hunt. THE CEDARS OF LEBANON.-The prophecy of Isaiah has long since been fulfilled, and " Lebanon is turned into a fruitful field," "the rest of the trees of his forest are few, a child may write them." The cedars of Lebanon scarcely occupy a space equal to two acres of ground. Present cares, and preparations for the future, | render this a very busy month for the gardener or amateur; but there is compensation in it: the reward of past labour smiles upon him in opening flowers and unfolding leaves; and every day adds some new beauty to the beds and borders, some new incentive to exertion and hope. Watering, sowing, transplanting, cutting, and hoeing, are among the numerous and necessary duties of the month. Annuals.-Sow for autumn flowering everything that is worth having, and keep up a succession of half-hardy annuals, biennials, and perennials; plant and transplant those that have been grown in the house: morning or evening is the best time, and showery weather the most propitious. In doing this, care should be taken to ascertain the habit, height, and colour of the flower, so as to regulate its situation and effect. Anemones, when in bloom, should be shaded, to preserve the colours; and in dry weather require water. If the ground is wanted subsequently, they may be carefully lifted after the flowers are past, and planted in any spare place in the garden. Auriculas.-Those in blossom should have the decaying flowers removed as they occur, their presence only tending to weaken the plant. Cut down the flower-stalk after blooming, and give abundance of air. Begonias.-The beauty and variety of these plants richly repay their culture: increase the supply of moisture as they advance, and shift them into larger pots if large specimens are desired. They require a rich loamy soil. Creepers, of every description, should have their branches thinned and trained; and care should be taken to do this before the overgrowth becomes ontangled. Cuttings of Roses may now be planted; set them two joints deep, in a shady situation. Herbaceous perennials of all kinds may be propagated in the same way. Dahlias.-Towards the middle, or end of the month, plant the tubers in the open ground, in a rich soil, making the holes for the roots eighteen inches deep, and setting them about three feet apart. Cover them with rich mould, mingled with sand, and if the soil be of too light a texture, add loam. They require plenty of water, and in order to strengthen the plants, and ensure good blooms, it is recommended, when they have attained a foot in height, to cut off all the smaller shoots, leaving only two or three to each root. Look carefully after the earwigs and caterpillars, which are great destroyers of these plants; and stake them properly to preserve them from the wind. Hydrangeas.-If the shoots are too thick, they should be thinned this month, leaving only the strongest. Some of the points may be put in as cuttings. These handsome half-hardy plants are easily cultivated, and if planted in peat earth, may have their pink clusters of blossoms transformed to blue. Half-hardy Plants, such as scarlet Geraniums, Calceolarias, Verbenas, &c., may now be bedded out. Lobelias.-A rich soil, and moist situation, agree best with all the large-growing varieties. They have a fine effect, whether scattered about or grown in beds, especially Lobelia fulgens and L. Cardinalis. The earlier they are planted out this month, the better. Pansies must be liberally watered in warm weather, adding a little liquid manure once a week. Propagate by cuttings, in a cool and shady place, for autumn flowering. The youngest plants produce the finest flowers. Some persons strike the offshoots under a shaded hand-light; but they root just as well in the open air. Pinks.-Thin the stems of the choice varieties to one, and reduce the buds to three: water them once a week with manure-water, and be careful in tying up the stems not to tie over a joint. Picotees. The same directions will apply to them, substituting water for liquid manure, and applying it freely every morning. Roses. Stop and tie the climbing varieties where necessary; thin out overcrowded and weak shoots, and propagate from them: fork the ground well about the roots, and water (sparingly at first) with liquid manure. Small beds of dwarf-roses look well, and standards budded on wild stocks add much to the effect of a grass-plot. Be careful to remove sideshoots and suckers. |
