PEEPS AT THE PRINT-SHOPS.
LAWRENCE'S works still form the best attraction of the print-shops ; and to those which we have already noticed are added—portraits of Mrs. FAIRLIE and of Dr. Woi.LAsT ow, engraved by LEWIS; and of the Duke of Reichstadt, or Young NAPOLEON, as he is commonly called, by BROMLEY. This last is a beautiful piece of line engraving, in imita- tion of the original sketch, and very remarkable for clearness, firmness, delicacy, and harmonious flow of line. It is not, however, to our taste, so suitable a medium for sketches as chalk etching or lithography in skilful hands—it is too liny, wiry, and cold ; but this objection ap- plies to the style of engraving, not to its execution by the engraver. The head of Young NAPOLEON augurs well of his capacity and character : looking at it phrenologically, it possesses the perceptive, reflective, and imaginative faculties, with firmness and benevolence. The face of the youth (taken about the age of twelve) strikingly resembles his father in the eyes, nose, and chin; but the mouth is weak, though not bad. It is a remarkable head, independently of the interest with which we look at it as the portrait of the son of NAPOLEON. The head of Dr. WoLtasTost possesses high intellectual character, as the face does expression. The eyes, in particular, are acutely intelli- gent, and have that brilliancy which LAWRENCE so successfully depicted. The contour of the bald forehead bears some resemblance to those of CANNING and of Sir THO3rAs himself ; but its dome-like shape, broad and compact, distinguishes it from theirs. The National Portrait-Gallery is so nearly what it should be in the excellence of its engravings and the accuracy of its likenesses, which are for the most part reduced copies from the best portraits, that we the more earnestly wish it were everything that the lovers of art could desire. The design of the work is excellent, and its execution has been int. proving ; and its moderate price will insure it an extensive popularity.
The Third Part of the Landscape Illustrations of Waverky is worthy of its commencement. The views are extremely pretty and interesting.
The first number of the Costumes of the Pyrenees, lithographed by Mr. HARDING, is well got up. The drawings are in this artist's bold, broad style, and have a good effect. The costumes are picturesque, but not particularly striking, and want the charm of variety. They coma recommended to us, however, by the excellence of art. Mr. SHARP has put forth another of his clever lithographic imitation of of Mr. HATTER'S Sketches, in the shape of " The New Muff;" a pretty child, with an arch.expression of her fine eyes, looking out from under the shade of her bonnet, bespeaking our admiration of her ermine muff. It reminds us of a similar designby Sir JOSHUA REYNOLDS.
Some Sketches of the Ruins and Scenery of South Wales, by J. E. R. RoBINsoN, drawn on stone by the artist and J. S. TEMPLETON, serve to give an idea of the beauty of the romantic scenery in that part of the country ; but except as regards the general effect, they are not particularly remarkable as specimens either of art or lithography. Any representations of such scenery must be picturesque; what the artist has added by way of pictorial embellishment, if we may judge from the monotony of the foregrounds in every plate, is not very valuable or original.
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