Bloody Heath. _Erica cruenta._
Dedicated to _the Holy Innocents_.
[434] Gregory on the Boy Bishop.
[435] Fenn’s Letters, i.
[436] Dugdale’s Orig. Jurid.
[437] Acts ii. 13-15.
~December 29.~
_St. Thomas_, Abp. of Canterbury, A. D. 1170. _St. Marcellus_, Abbot
of the Acæmetes, A. D. 485. _St. Evroul_, Abbot, A. D. 596.
_Sculpture._
Much has been remarked in the course of these sheets respecting
painting, which, if our artists will labour, they may elevate to a
height that will honour their country, and amply reward themselves. It
is a mistake to suppose that _real_ talent is not appreciated. Precocity
is not talent till it has ripened; it usually withers and falls beneath
the only test of greatness, labour: patrons experience this, and sicken.
Whenever genius labours, it finds patrons.
Sculpture in the English school seems of late to have advanced further
than painting, in their simultaneous efforts, and in this department of
art, Ireland is likely to compete with England.
At the distribution of medals by sir Thomas Lawrence to students, at the
Royal Academy, in the month of December, 1825, Mr. John Gallagher and
Mr. Constantine Panormo, natives of the sister country, received the two
medals for sculpture. It is a happy augury for the Royal Dublin Society
that these young men were the first individuals sent hither by that
institution for the purpose of improvement; and it must be highly
gratifying to Mr. Behnes, with whom the Royal Dublin Society placed them
as pupils, that his tuition so qualified these youths, that they
excelled their numerous rivals, and carried both the prizes. So
extraordinary an instance is creditable to their native country, whose
national establishment fostered them, and whose protection they have
distinguished by their perseverance.
* * * * *