delightful art of engraving will refer to Speed's Theatre and History of Great Britain, to Powell, or Burton, to the illustrations in Pennant, drawn and engraved by the self-taught Moses Griffith, the mezzotintos in Broughton, the woodcuts in Mr. Hughes's Beauties of Cambria, and to other works of a similar nature, it will be immediately seen that each publication o'erstepped its immediate precursor in graphic precision and beauty. Having advanced so much, it becomes our bounden duty to add that no work delineating Welsh scenery has appeared so creditable to its compilers, as the one under notice, especially to Mr. Gastineau; for his unceasing perseverance, beautiful drawing, and generally correct judgment in the selection of his subjects, demand our praise; and to him do we chiefly attribute an unusually large sale of impressions, which the work really deserves, and on which we congratulate its spirited proprietors. We formerly had occasion to differ from Mr. Gastineau in the choice of a few of his drawings; and, though from the very late receipt of the latter numbers, we have scarcely had time to examine their merits or defects, certainly not to introduce any allusions connected with their past history, which might have given a slight interest to the present review, we are glad to observe that he has recently devoted his attention to the really grand, to the towering mountain, the deep ravine, the expansive lake, and the rushing cataract: there are, however, in the numbers before us, exceptions, and of them we shall presently speak unreservedly. The views in No. 11 are, Bangor, Iscoed, the entrance into Holt, Chirk Castle, and the Town of Corwen. The two first are very neat engravings of attractive landscapes. The view of Chirk Castle contains little more than the old fortress, but what there is, is done well, the light is uncommonly well thrown upon the sheep in the left foreground. Corwen is a faithful likeness of the town, which, with its romantic background, forms an interesting specimen of the scenery on the Holyhead road. Mr. T. Barber is the engraver of these views, Mr. J. C. Varrall of the others. No. 12 contains Harlech Castle, seen from the Tremadoc road, Ruins of Dyserth Castle, engraved by Mr. Varrall, and Ruthin and Harwarden Castle, by Mr. W. Radcliffe. Harlech and Dysarth are majestically grand, but there is a sweet solitude and repose in Harwarden, that renders it, in our opinion, the best specimen in the number. No. 13. Conway Suspension Bridge, and Conway Castle, both exceedingly well done. Let the connoisseur observe the contrast between the roughness of the water in the one, its limpid softness in the other, he will then agree with us, that Mr. Gastineau and the engraver, Mr. S. Fisher, have acquitted themselves very creditably. Llyn Ogwen, with its adjoining towering eminences, is beautiful, the lights and shadows very happily flung; but Gwrych, the castellated seat of D. Hesketh, esq. appears to us here much larger than it is in nature; as an engraving, we have no fault to find. Llyn Ogwen and Gwrych are engraved by Mr. H. Adlard. No. 14 contains Rhuabon and Llantisillo Churches and scenery; both very well done, but the latter is our favorite; Mr. H. Adlard is the engraver.-Mold Town possesses no particular attraction, but the fourth engraving, Harlech Castle, from another point of view, is very grand. Mr. W. Wallis is the engraver. No. 15. Penmon Mawr, a very beautiful marine view, as also is Criccieth Castle; engraved by Mr. G. Watkins. The others are Wynstay and Northop village: we could have wished a view of Wynstay embracing the Llangollen hills; though well drawn and engraved, it has here the appearance of a fine mansion, in uninteresting flat grounds, whereas Wynstay Park is not quite without picturesque undulation, though confessedly, the park is for the most part level, and the view would have been more interesting had it been backed by the hills to the north-west. The beautiful tower of Northop church is a valuable feature in the last engraving. Mr. Lacy is the artist. No. 16. The two first engravings are Caer gwrle, in Flintshire, and Pont y Pair in Carnarvon, each very beautifully executed. The reflection of the sun's rays in the distance, and through the arches of the bridge, are admirably done, engraved by Mr. J. Starling. The next is Plas Newydd: to omit a passing word on this fairy-land were unpardonable; every one has heard of the retirement to Plas Newydd by Lady Eleanor Butler and Miss Ponsonby. Can the observer imagine a place more calculated for seclusion, or breathing a sweeter spirit of contentment, and the recollection of the departed flings a sacred halo around. Mr. Gastineau has, with that accuracy which generally distinguishes him, drawn the escutcheon appearing over the middle window, sad emblem of mortality. Basingwork is well engraved by Mr. H. Jordan, and carries the mind back to olden time, but pass we on to No. 17. Bettws y Coed, in Carnarvon, and Tal y Llyn, in Meirion, demand our unqualified approval; engraved by Mr. H. Adlard. The two other plates are, the Town-hall at Ruthin, and Wrexham Town: they do not, we think, possess much attraction, though creditable, as works of art. The continental traveller will perhaps recollect the entrance to Mechlin, which bears a striking likeness to this drawing of Wrexham. Mr. Wallis is the engraver. The plates in No, 18, are Penrhyn Castle, and Llangollen Church. The Castle scene is uncommonly grand, but we do not see any thing in Llangollen church which entitles it to a place in the work; the two last are very well engraved by Mr. C. Mottram. Machynllaith Town and Llanberris Lake are the last plates; the former is accurately drawn, and the latter presents us with as much of the sublimity of the place as can be effected in so small a plate. Engraved by Mr. H. G. Watkins. No. 19. The Town of Dolgelleu and Llanelltyd Church. The bridge, in the former plate, is not a true representation of the original: and in the second, that part of Cader Idris Mountain, called the Cyvrwy, does not appear high enough, for the peak of Pen y Gader is, at least, as far distant from this point of view as the Cyvrwy; and why the Pen is represented so much lower we know not. Very creditably engraved by Mr. T. Lacy. Views in Llangollen Vale, and of Chirk Aqueduct, are faithfully and beautifully done. Mr. T. Barker is the engraver. No. 20 presents us with the Pass of Llanberis and Rhaiadyr y Wenol; they are each strikingly romantic. The engraving of the Pass, by Mr. H. Adlard, is very successful. The next are the Harbour at Holyhead and the South-Stack Lighthouse, near the same place. Mr. T. Higham has succeeded in giving us a night view of the Lighthouse, without producing the dark confused effect often apparent in moonlight views. No. 21, contains, in the first page, Cader Idris and Llanfachreth Church, engraved by Mr. T. Barber; and the Fall of the Conway and View in Beddgelert Vale, by Mr. J. C. Varrall. The View of Cader Idris is very judiciously chosen, and an admirable specimen of Welsh scenery for the uninitiated Cockney to gaze on. The Conway, and View near Beddgelert, are beautiful: but we were greatly puzzled, on reading "Lanvachreth Church, Isle of Anglesey" this is a most ridiculous mistake: this Llanvachreth is in Merioneddshire, and not in Anglesey. Such an error may pass current with the Jemmy Green's and Tommy Snooks's of Cockaign, but what will the legend-loving men of Merionedd say in being so dealt with? Will they allow the beauties of Nannau, the interest of the Goblin Oak of Glendwr, and of Hywel Sele, to be transferred to Mona, by the worthy gentleman who jumps, with whole parishes in his pocket, from one county to another, as did Old Nick when he ran away with the Wrekin hill under his arm, and dropped it plump down in Salopia's beauteous plain? Seriously speaking, such errors are not only ridiculous, but very discreditable and injurious; for the reader cannot store his mind with correct information, if he is to be misled by the grossest violations of geographic truth. We trust we shall not have to notice a similar instance of inaccuracy: we are ever gratified in rendering just praise; and in our examinations of Jones's Views, we have had occasion to speak often, not only in terms of common approval, but of rapturous delight. We really hope the hints now given will produce that attention which is necessary to accuracy in the forthcoming portion of the work. No. 22. We congratulate our South Wales friends on the appearance of this Number; it seems to be the commencement of a series of Views in their division of the Principality; and though, generally speaking, the rugged wildness of the north has no parallel in the scenery of the south, still the latter is infinitely more rich in monastic ruins; and we are sure the drawings of these interesting relics cannot be in better hands than Mr. Gastineau's. The first views are Pembroke Town and Castle, and Pembroke looking west: they are very well done; the engraver is Mr. J. C. Varrall. The second page contains two delightful Views of the Devil's Bridge and its adjacent Cataract; but here we are again constrained to find fault: Mr. Gastineau has not drawn the bridge correctly, or rather he has omitted to give us the iron balustrades which surmount it. Those who have seen the Devil's Bridge within the last ten or twelve years, must remember its balustrades so ill conforming to the style of the masonry they are discernible from the lowest part of the abyss ; and however picturesque the bridge may appear without them, we have only to repeat the sentiment, that truth should never be sacrificed to effect, which has most assuredly been done in the instance before us. No. 23, consists of St. David's College, Lampeter, and Havod House; the latter is uncommonly well done: it is a lovely retreat, worthy of the taste of Mr. Johns, its late proprietor, a gentleman whose high literary character and scientific acquirements require no encomium from us. The College is also well drawn; but it labours under a disadvantage in being placed by Havod, the pictorial beauty of which is not exceeded by that of any residence in Wales: Mr. J. Varrall is the engraver. Remains of Aberystwith Castle, and view in the Vale of Rhydiol, give a correct representation of an old fortification conspicuous in Cambrian History; and known, as it is, to the large companies of English fashionables who frequent the now important town of Aberystwith, it is unnecessary to give it further publicity. The view in Rhydiol Vale is pretty, though quite devoid of that ruggid sublimity which characterises several of the other engravings. LITERARY NOTICE. Messrs. Parbury, Allen, and Co. have published, in 1 vol. 8vo., "The past and present State of the Tea Trade in England, and of the Continents of Europe and America; and a comparison between the consumption, price of, and revenue derived from, Tea, Coffee, Sugar, Wine, Tobacco, Spirits, &c." LONDON AND PROVINCIAL NEWS. ECCLESIASTICAL. The Lord Bishop of St. David's has been pleased to collate the Rev. Thomas Thomas to the valuable rectory of Disserth, in the county of Radnor, with the chapelry of Bettws Disserth annexed, vacant by the death of the Rev. Charles Griffith, A.M.: and the Rev. Lewis Price Jones to the rectory of Llanbadarn Vawr, in the same county, void also by the decease of the said Rev. C. Griffith. His lordship has also collated the Rev. S. W. Saunders to the vicarage of St. Ismael, and perpetual curacy of Dale. The living of St. Ismael's is in the patronage of the Lord Chancellor, who was pleased to attend, in this presentation, to the recommendation of the Lord Bishop of the diocese. Dale is in the gift of Lloyd Phillips, esq. of Dale Castle, Pembrokeshire. The Rev. John Frederick Churton, of Downing College, Cambridge, has been presented by the Lord Bishop of Chester to the perpetual curacy of Threapwood, Cheshire. The Lord Bishop of St. David's has collated the Rev. Richard Venables, D.D. to the Archdeaconry of Caermarthen, void by the death of the venerable Archdeacon Payne. The Rev. Charles Watkin Wynne Eyton has been appointed to the living of Shocklach, in Cheshire, vacant by the death of the Rev. Peter Ravenscroft, patron Sir Richard Puleston, bart. ROYAL ANGLESEY MILITIA. We perceive from the Gazette of Tuesday last, that William Barton Panton, esq. has been appointed Second Lieutenant, in the place of H. Jones, esq. promoted. North Wales Circuit. THE JUDGES. South Wales Circuit. Before Mr. Justice ALDERSON. 14 July. Cardiff .... on Saturday 7 July Caermarthen.. on Saturday 14 21 Before Chief Baron LYNDURst. Pool...... on Saturday Dolgelly on Wednesday 18 Carnarvon .. on Saturday 21 Beaumaris.. on Wednesday 25 on Saturday on Wednesday 1 Aug. Presteigne on Wednesday 1 Aug. Ruthin.... 28 Cardigan..... on Wednesday 25 Brecon Chester INFIRMARY AT BRECON. It has been decided that the building of an Infirmary shall be commenced forthwith the marquis Camden has very handsomely given sufficient ground for the purpose. Sir Charles Morgan also, with his usual liberality, made an offer of a very desirable spot for the building, but the situation was not considered so eligible as the former.-Upon a reference to the list of subscribers, it will be observed that George Price Watkins, esq. with a public spirit only to be equalled by his benevolent feelings, has given a splendid sum to an Institution, which has for its object medical and surgical relief for the indigent and distressed. It will be seen that the same feeling has actuated other gentlemen connected with the county, and we have no doubt that so good an example will be generally followed. CAREDIGION NANT PADARD LLANBERIS. The annual meeting of the members of this institution was held lately at their society-house, where the business of the day was gone through by the committee in the morning: at eleven o'clock the members went in procession to Llanberis church, where, after morning prayers, an appropriate discourse was delivered by the Rev. M. Hughes, of St. Ann's the members then returned to the society-house, where they dined. |