GALLERY OF PORTRAITS,-No. I. HARDING.-We like, occasionally, to take a stroll into the picture rooms of our artists, to refresh our eyes with their new productions. It is not a little flattering to our local pride, that Boston is at this time, the peculiar abode of talented painters, and that the public taste yields a most cordial response to their efforts. We have, among us, one who has long been acknowledged the first living painter of heads, and another, whose productions in the historical department, promise no less distinction.Both of them are reposing on their laurels, in triumph, while he, whose name stands at the head of this article, is fast unfolding his glories to view. He is a rare instance of the success of native power, unaided by school discipline. But a few years back, we believe, he emerged from the Western wilderness, with nothing to recommend him but the mechanical talent of painting a sign; while but the other day, he was in England, painting dukes, poets and statesmen at twenty guineas a head. Be tore he left the country, it will be remembered he had a very successful run in Boston. It was then quite the fashion for every one how ever old or ugly, to sit for a portrait, and Harding's room used to be hung round with a circle of heads, while the originals were standing by to challenge a resemblance. He was then noted more for the fidelity of his likenesses, than for the boldness of his touch or expression. It will be perceived that since his return, the former has not diminished, while the latter is more distinct and conspicuous His style has lost much of its early stiffness and constraint, and his portraits look more like animated beings.

⚫ It was our fortune about two years ago to meet this artist at Glasgow. He was then on his return from a professional visit to the Scotch Duke of Hamilton, whose picture he had with him, and a copy of which, we believe, now adorns his room. It was the first effort of the artist which induced a favorable estimation of his powers. He seemed to havo gone out of the mechanical track of giving a mere likeness, and to have embodied some thing like flesh and blood. We could not render him a greater compliment than to say, that it was in manner of the best portrait painter of the age. He had likewise a head of Mr Coke, of Norfolk, at whose princely do-mains he had found a welcome, and whose

munificence had secured to him the patronage of the distinguished and eminent. A few of these foreign essays he has brought hither, among which we notice the Duke of Sussex, an excellent character face, and which we are glad to perceive is perpetuated by a fine engraving of the original. The author of Vir. ginius, James Sheridan Knowles, is also among this collection. A capital subject, successfully painted.

During his present sojourn, Mr Harding has been well followed, and has produced some fine heads. He has been peculiarly happy in procuring such subjects as are well known, and likely to confer celebrity on his productions. We shall proceed to notice a few of them, in brief: Solicitor General D.-This is a half length, and presents the manly Solicitor in his best drawing room attire. It is a likeness, which strikes every one at a glance, and and is equally distinguished for the brilliancy and truth of its colouring. When we last had a peep at the Solicitor, he was in excellent company, surrounded by a coterie of ladies, and seemed to cast one of his happiest smiles toward a divinity on his right.

Miss M.- bis beautiful effort will unquestionably add "a feather to the painter's cap of fame." He has produced a lady, "the observed of all observers" and there is no flattery in the likeness. If the picture be defieient in any thing, it wants a characteristic playfulness of expression about the lips, which are too much compressed to expose the rich enamel within, and give freedom to the features. We have heard it intimated, and by a female connoisseur too, that the face exhibited a thoughtfulness which did not belong to the original, while it was unmarked by her spirit and vivacity. This, however, is a point of criticism which we shall leave where it began, with the simple remark that we are satisfied with the artist's success in so difficult an achievement.

L B. Esq.-A noble head combining character and boldness of expression.

Miss H. A.-A half length and somewhat historical-the good lady in a matron's cap, has a book in her hand, which we take to be an "abridgement of New England." The drapery of this picture is natural and easy, and the likeness vividly accurate.

It is unnecessary to particularize the other additions, which have been recently made to

this room. Sufficient have been named to give a tolerable idea of the ability of the artist, and of the progress he has acquired in his profession. It is not easy to tear the wreath from the brow of the veteran to plant it on that of the young aspirant; nor shall we, pursuing an ignoble example, essay to do so. The coun

try is wide enough for men of genius, and there is the best disposition to reward their labours. Let then the veteran, whose locks are silvered in the cause, recline on his laurels;-to invade his repose, were to arouse to arms the warrior whose glories are written in undying achievements.

NORTHWOOD. This is, we believe, Mrs Hale's first effort in the department of novel writing, and judging from the justness of outline, and truth of colouring with which she brings before us the manners and customs of our native New England, we venture to prediet for her the attainment of an enviable celebrity and a deserved popularity. We have had the pleasure of numbering Mrs Hale among the contributors to our pages, and there are few who have not read with pleasure her sweet and heartfelt effusions over the signature of Cornelia'-yet we do not therefore feel under any restraint in speaking freely of her recent publication, for it cannot be denied that it has faults, though none that are glaring, and deficiencies,--but they are such as the authoress can easily and readily supply. There are also in this novel many beauties of an unusual kind,—not merely sufficient to redeem it from tameness, insipidity or insignificance,but beauties which at once attract the eye, and elicit our warmest approbation. We have seen elsewhere, more boldness in the developement of intellectual capacity, more vivid. ness in descriptive scenery, and more actual skill and power exerted in laying open the inmost recesses of the human heart; but we have not often seen more propriety and carefulness in constantly preserving for the individuals of the tale, the same fashioning of mind and tendency of disposition with which they are first introduced to us-nor more regard to the cause of morality in unfolding the better feelings of our nature, and the milder traits of character. We do not feel that feverish excitement in reading Mrs Hale's book, which precludes the possibility of laying it down till the perusal of it is entirely accomplished, but it has the better quality of affording increased delight and satisfaction when taken up for the second or even the third time. It needs a litte more vivacity and sprightliness to give it a rapid cir

culation, and occasionally more conciseness in the narrative,-but we cannot but congratulate the authoress on her success, and with hearty good will we welcome her appearance in the amusing path of literature which she has now entered.

FATHER CLEMENT This work has hardly enough of incident to entitle it to the character of a story, but yet sufficient to gain it some readers among those who must be lured into the paths of instruction by the wiles of fiction. The fashionable and prevalent disregard for serious or religious reading has compelled our most zealous writers to resort to the fascinating shape of a tale, for the sake of a more general diffusion of wholesome truths. The necessity of trepanning readers into goodness may be a subject of deep regret, but the evil is surely lessened by those who, in the production of religious stories, show their disposition to fight against error at all times, and with all weapons.

This volume is little else than a controversy on the errors of the Catholic and the Protestant churches, maintained by the personages of the tale who are of different persuasions, yet still maintaining a perfect appearance of harmony and good will in their conversations. The characters are represented as possessing amiable dispositions,-are disposed to respect each others' difference of opinion, and appear more anxious for the elucidation of truth than for the advancement of their individual dogmas. The principal aim of the author is to show the operation of the Bible upon intelligent and ingenuous minds, and this is delightfully evinced in these interesting pages, which are written in a style generally easy and pleasing, and sometimes in bold and glowing language. The errors of both Catholicism and Protestantism are exposed with much impartiality, and the interest that is excited in the

perusal of the book arises principally from the new and striking light in which many of those errors are placed.

AMERICA. We have perused this work of Alexander Everett's with that delight which is excited by contemplating the successful accomplishment of a difficult task. Embracing a concise, but distinct view of the events of the last five important years ;—a clear and satisfactory account of the policy that has regulated the civilized world within that time;-an accurate statement of the present condition and relative situation of the powers that exist, together with apparent reasonable conjectures concerning their future operations,-the work presents a rich display of knowledge in politic. al science, and of the power and influence of the nations which are now the objects of interesting consideration.

The satisfactory expositions which are given of those resources, and the mode of bringing them into successful operation, which afford the greatest security to national existence and power, as well as to individual happiness; and the elegant illustrations given of sound principles, by references to well known events, will render this book eminently useful to our countrymen, not only from the information it eonveys, but by exciting a patriotic adherence to the principles of our union, under all the local excitements that must of necessity be produced by sectional interests.

He

The author clearly defines our system of government, and has detailed in an interesting manner, the difficulties that were encountered in obtaining the Federal Constitution. gives a sketch of Adams and Jefferson; and proposes that Mount Vernon,-already consecrated by the remains of unparalleled human greatness, which repose there,-should be set apart by national legislation. These last subjects occupy a large share of a work devoted to generalities, but we can well rejoice at the introduction of sentiments so congenial to patriotic feelings.

We must, however, hesitate, in assenting to some of the prognostications advanced by the author. He says, that the present system of European politics is likely to continue "for centuries to come." It appears much more probable that the seeds of civil freedom sown in the eastern world, will grow and spread in conjunction with those of general knowledge, till they produce an entire regeneration of the bodies politic. Although the nations may wear a quiet smile, like a summer's day, the elements of a dark, fearful, and uprooting storm may be gathering.

He observes that "the west of Europe is crushed beneath the giant mass of this political Colossus," as he calls Russia; and continues "the natural termination of the progress of events, which is now going on, will be the union of the whole continent into one military monarchy"-and then-" A civil war in Russia would very probably give to that empire the only element which it wants, I mean, an ambitious, ardent, and successful military chieftain, in order to effect the request of the whole of Europe." Is it probable that this can be true? Can Russia continue to suppress the quick spirits of Austria, Prussia, and Germany, the haughty pride of the Spaniard, the pa triotic enthusiasm of the Frenchman, the dog. ged obstinacy of the Hollander, when their apprehension of one oppressive monster, who is, at the same time, rending his own bowels, has produced a combination among them? Would not such an attempt, however cunningly made, by exasperating the timid and rousing the brave, tend rather to produce a state of feeling, which would cause a result exactly opposite to that expected by Mr Everett, viz. a convulsion and dismemberment of the Russian empire? But conjecture is almost vain when such circumstances as that of the Duchess of Marlborough's gloves, can change the fate of nations.

Mr Everett argues further, that if Britain loses her colonial empire, she will also lose her naval supremacy, "and sink into a dependency of the neighbouring continent." Should an union of good fellowship extend over the continent, this may be so; but should it be, as we apprehend it must, one of restraint,—if indeed, it ever exists at all, then the Island Empire will be able, from its own resources, to maintain its own independence. The author's views are vast, and his conceptions grand, no less so, than his theories are just,— but on these subjects he has oustripped our comprehension, if he has not the truth. We have noticed likewise some small errors, as, when he calls it an incongruity, for a government to unite "boundless prodigality in the public expenses, with a strict accountableness of all the agents;" a palpable mistake, for, we can only imagine the former to exist as a principle, in close conjunction with the latter, as nothing would sooner bring inevitable ruin than their separation; therefore, they are not inconsistent.

The book is written in a clear, elevated, forcible style, which at once inspires enthusiasm for th subject, gratifies the curiosity it excites, and enforces the conviction, that Mr Everett is a master of political science.