If there was any ground, and we are inclined to believe there was, for
the objection urged by the judicious few against that interesting series
of illustrations of English history, Lodge's _Illustrious Portraits_,
namely, that in engraving the portraits selected, truth had often times
been sacrificed to effect; so that one had a better picture, though a
less faithful copy,--such an objection cannot be urged against a work to
which our attention has just been directed, Harding's _Historical
Portraits_. In this endeavour to bring before us the men of past time,
each "in his habit as he lived," the scrupulous accuracy with which Mr.
Harding copies an old portrait has been well seconded by the engravers,
so that this work is unrivalled for the fidelity with which it exhibits,
as by a Daguerrotype, copies in little of some very curious portraits of
old-world worthies. The collection is limited in extent; but, as it
contains plates of individuals of whom no other engraving exists, will
be a treasure to illustrators of Clarendon, Granger, &c. Among the most
interesting subjects are _Henry VIII._ and _Charles V._, from the
remarkable picture formerly at Strawberry Hill; _Sir Robert Dudley_, son
of Elizabeth's favourite; _Lord Russel of Thornhaugh_, from the picture
at Woburn; _Speaker Lenthall_; and the remarkable portrait of _Henry
Carey Viscount Falkland_, dressed in white, painted by Van Somer, which
suggested to Horace Walpole his _Castle of Otranto_.
Messrs. Sotheby and Co. will sell on Thursday next, a small but superb
collection of drawings by modern artists; and on the following Monday
will commence a six days' sale of the third portion of the important
stock of prints of Messrs. Smith; comprising some of the works of the
most eminent engravers of the continental and English schools, including
a matchless collection of the works of the Master of Fontainebleau,
engraver's proofs of book plates, and a few fine drawings.
We have received the following Catalogues:--J. Peteram's (94. High
Holborn) Catalogue, Part CXI., No. 5. for 1850 of Old and New Books; and
J. Miller's (43. Chandos Street) Catalogue No. 5. for 1850 of Books Old
and New.
* * * * *