Literature. Reviews.

the elder Brunei , with the Thames Tunnel in the background ; Archbishop Tillotson , by Mrs . Beale ; Huntington , the preacher , "S . S . ; " Sir AVilliam Herschel , astronomer to King George III . ; John Hoivard , the philanthropist—poor , hut authentic ; the Right Hon . Thomas AA'iunington—a beautiful enamel , by Zincke , presented by his descendant , the member for BeAA'dley ; Sir Francis Chantrey—a fine picture , by Phillips , the gift of Lady Chantrey ; and James , seventh Earl of Derby , and Mat

Prior , the poet , both pictures of importance , presented by Lord Derby . The most important , however , is the AA'ell knoAvn Fraser Tytler portrait of Mary , Queen of Scots . The picture is thus described : — "It represents the unfortunate Queen in youth and during the happiest period of her life . She appears as Queen of Franco , Avith her recollections of Scotland in the back-ground , wherein a distant view of Edinburgh is introduced , Avhilst her possession of the tAvo Crowns is marked by the

quarterings on a shield , which hangs on a tree at her right side . The picture represents her to the knees , standing in a richly jeAvelled dress of black and white , holding her gloves in her right hand , and with the other raising the end of a long pendant of jewels attached to the girdle , so as to SIIOAV a badge consisting of a column surmounted with a crown betAA'een the letters Al ' . R ., and encircled within the legend 'Foes et virtus miscentttr in uno' This device is recognized as peculiar to Francois II .

The minute finish of the chains , brooches , enamels , cameos and pearls would satisfy even the most exacting antiquaries . The trees of the landscape are very tolerably painted , but tho city of Edinburgh—Avhich the toAA'n aud castles most probably represent—is done in a somewhat slovenly manner . The coat-of-arms has been painted in thin colours after the trunk of the tree was finished , and consequently has been to a considerable extent rubbed off . In a good light , howover , the three flours de lis and the Scottish lion are clearly traceable in their respective quarterings . The lion is incorrectly painted yellow upon a red ground , a mistake probably arising from tha AA'ork having been entrusted to a

foreign artist . Mary wears the accustomed ruff round her neck ; but iu lieu of the bent , curved headdress and veil so generally known , her light brown hair is merely confined in a light caul of net , edged with little puffings of Avhite satin , which extend also doAvn the stiff high , black epaulettes surmounting the sleeves . The only ring visible is ou her left thumb . The hands are long and bony , but of a delicate Avhite colour , and painted with great truthfulness .

The face is pretty and very pleasing , but Avith very vacant expression . The eyes large and blue-grey . The eyebroA \ "s high arched , the nose long and rather aquiline , the mouth closed and rather pouting , —according altogether very closely Avith the features of the monument Avhich James erected to his mother iu AVestminster Abbey . The chin appears small and very narrow , compared Avith the Abbey monument and . the Morton and Blairs portraits ; but this is partly caused by the .

ruff projecting over the surface . The age at which she is represented is very different . The general appearance of tho picture is pale and somc-Avhat grey , as if faded , but the condition is excellent . It was originally painted on pannel , and has been most skilfully transferred to canvas . The picture formerl y belonged to a portrait painter named Stewart , and came into the hands of a London dealer named Givennap , of whom Air . fraser Tytler , so Avell known by his ' History of Scotland , ' purchased it . The armorial bearings , and the absence either of the dolphins , or of the

scutcheon ot pretence for England , go far to shoiv that this picture was painted during the life of her husband Francis the second , in 15 G 0 . Mr . Tytler himself went so far as to consider—and that Avith great probabilitv "ii his side—that this is the identical portrait Avhich Alary is described ¦ is having sent to Elizabeth , and which , perhaps , by the policy of her ministers Avas never delivered . No name of painter has been proposed Avith anything like certainty . It is most probably by a native French

artist—a mere hired court-painter , who was not expected to do much more than map the features and to display the rings and trinkets to the greatest advantage . The genuineness of the Avork is beyond all dnu' > t . : uid has escaped even the average amount of restoration and repairs , two joints of the pannel may still be traced through the sky , on the right side , and down her face , through the comer of one of her eyes , as low as the festooned chain on her stomacher . It has boon carefully

engraved b y Henry Shaw . " Blenheim Palace is again shown to visitors . After the loth of Fcbr « ary , and through the summer months , Blenheim is open to visitors > y tickets , which are sold at the entrance gate at the fixed charge . of one smiling each person . There is a separate charge of one shilling for the S-udons , and all proceeds from these admissions are appropriated to e writable purposes . The pictures have been revised , and correct labels , : earm the name of the artist aud smbjeo » of the picture , are in contem-

Literature. Reviews.

plation . The private rooms and galleries abound m portraits , aud theso have been placed under the supervision of Mr . George Scharf , the Secretary of the National Portrait Gallery ; who has , at the same time , prepared an official catalogue of all the paintings in the public apartments , which will bo sold to visitors , and the proceeds of Avhich Avill likewise be devoted to some charitable institution .

Poetry.

Poetry .

BR OTHER HOOD . nV GERALD M . ASSKW THERE ' no dearth of kindness In this world of ours ; Only iu our blindness AVe gather thorns for itoAvers ! Onwards we are spurning—Trampling one another . While Ave are trulv A'earning

At the name of ' Brother !" There ' s no dearth of kindness , Or love among mankind ; But in darkling lonc-uess , Hooded hearts are blind ! Full of kindness tingling , Soul is shut from soul . When they might he mingling In one kindred whole .

There ' s no dearth of kindness , Though it be unspoken . From the heart it builded . Rainbow smiles in token — That there be none so IOAVIV . But have some angel touch : Yet , nursing loves unholy , We live for sell too much I

As . the wild rose bioometb , As runs the happy river , Kindness freely floweth In the heart , for ever . I ' . nt if men will hanker river for golden dust . Kiugliest hearts will canker , Brightest spirits nisi .

There ' s no dearth of kindness In this world of ours ; Only in our blindness AVe gather thorns for ( Iowa's , O , cherish God ' s best giving , Falling from above ! Life were not worth living Were it not for love .

The Masonic Trinity.

THE MASONIC TRINITY .

r . i- BRO . wirmxo . YA ' IIKX the clouds of earthly sorrow Hover o ' er our pathway here , From what sources shall we borrow Light the darksome way to cheer , Lo I celestial light is breaking , While a voice of music saith .

Mortal ! from thy sleep awaking , See the angel form of faith . See you tempted , erring brother . BoAv'd by sorrow , sunk in grief . Strive the syren ' s voice to smother With the words of sweet " relief . " Tell him of that home celestial ,

Whose bright doors ere long shall ope —• Point him ' mid the storms terrestrial To the soul ' s sure anchor—Hope . Onward , brethren , ' tis our mission . Thus to soothe each other ' s woes ; Till " Our Master" grants " dismission , " Till our eyes in death shall close . Brethren , let us fondly cherish That supremest virtue here , Charity , Avhich ne ' er can perish While our tenets we re-fere .