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the even tenor of his way to the bank, where arrived, he pinned the coon down to the ground, by retaining his hold upon his breast. Ringwood got hold of his head, and the other four dogs catching hold in various places, soon killed him. After he had been disabled, the puppies caught him, and gnawed and bit him, to wreak their vengeance upon him for sous ing their heads in the mud-—thus aping their fellow-men when placed under similar circum stances. Cousin Aristides had both coons skinned, and their hides nailed up on the walls of the barn, among other trophies of his skill as a huntsman. Old David barbecued the flesh, some of which we all ate, and which the ne groes consider quite a dainty. ijomc Corasponlrentt. For the Southern Literary Gazette. NEW-YORK LETTERS—NO, 29. Rathbun Hotel, New York , ) Nov. 15, 1848. j JTy Dear Sir , —The beautiful collection of pictures now at the Gallery of the Art Union, is attracting so large a share of public atten tion, and the approaching distribution of them (22nd of next month,) among the sub scribers, is such a general theme of converse, that 1 feel persuaded some account of the ex hibition must be a matter of interest to your readers. Some admirable reviews of the Gal lery have lately appeared in several of our principal journals, and, as 1 cannot tell the tale better than they have done, I will borrow from them for this occasion. The following notices from the Courier & Enquirer, besides giving you a good idea of what our iellow members of the Art Union are to expect this season, will serve as a little insight into the names and standing of our Artists. Before I commence the extract, let me remind your readers that no time is to be lost, if they would participate in the advantages of the coming distribution. Let them, therefore, for ward their subscriptions without delay. After some prefatory remarks, our review er says: 44 Every member knows that whatever his fortune in the distribution of the paintings, he is secure of*a copy of the annual engra vings ; but every one is not aware of the par ticular value and interest of those for the pre sent year. Besides the large steel engraving from Huntington’s beautiful picture ol ‘Queen Mary signing the death warrant of Lady .lane Grey,’ every member will receive a fo lio copy of Rip Van Winkle, with six large outline illustrations designed and etched by Darley. These unique and classic drawings are some of the finest productions of this able and popular artist, and we congratulate the Management upon the very felicitous idea of presenting the public with works of such a character. Before we come to the Paintings, let us say a word of the bronze medals to be distri buted this season.—Of these, there are no less than 450, half of them commemorative of the genius of the great painter, Allston; and the others of Gilbert Stuart. We hope that this plan of providing medals illustrative of Ame rican art, may be continued until we have some memorial of all our eminent artists. Asa consecutive review of the Gallery would be too voluminous for this article, we shall abridge our labor by speaking of all the works of the same artist in one notice, and that we may be very impartial, we will refer to the contributors in alphabetical order. V. G. Audubon.—Startled Deer, is a care ful and truthful picture. The deer are excel lently well done, as might be expected from Mr. Audubon's ability as a painter of such subjects. The 44 Moon Rising,” is not less truthful and interesting, if we except, per haps, a tone of too intense blackness. G. H. Baker. —The “Romp,” by this ar tist, is a very meritorious work, especially in the coloring of the flesh, which is pure and Render. The character, too, is well given. The “Mother's Prayer,” is exceedingly pow erful in expression—painfully so; care and anguish speak in every line of the mother’s face, as she looks upward in prayer, by the bed-side of hei wasted and dying child. Bingham. — 44 The Stump Orator,” is a large group of rough fellows, listening to the ora SdHDMUM &OIfHIE AiE ¥ SIFTS* tion of a long demagogue. It is executed with the nicety of a daguerreotype, but with the monotony also. Every separate part, though, is a picture in itself, replete with strong character; so that one recovers, on closer examination, from the unpleasant im pression the first glance may have made upon him. J. G. Chapman. —We find here four pic tures from Mr. Chapman’s pencil, and they are not the less welcome from his being him self far from us. The principal composition is a historical landscape, commemorating the intrepid retreat of Washington and his tired troops to Fort Necessity; after this is a pret ty marine piece, with large figures, called “Children on the Sea Shore.” Then follows an “ Italian Peasant Woman,” and the head of a deer. F. E. Church. —We are glad to meet again with the picture of “Theßiver of the Water of Life.” Ii was a favorite with us last spring, at the Academy. The Late Thomas Cole. —The celebrated series of grand landscapes, called the Voyage of Lfc , and among the most masterly works of the lamented Cole, forms the feature, par excellence, of the present exhibition. All the city members haveseenand admired them again anti again ; and few of the subscribers in the most remote parts of the land, but have heard of them many times and oft. The se ries, which is to be distributed as one prize only, embraces four very large pictures, em blematic of the course of human life. The story opens in the first with childhood ; then follows youth, succeeded by manhood, and ending with old age. They are the produc tions ox one of the greatest masters of his time, and are full of the brightest evidences of his lofty genius. None but a poet, and a poet of the highest powers, could have produ ced such a work as this; for the noble verse could not speak more eloquently ormore for cibly. They teach great truths with a sim plicity and force which never fails to touch and mend the heart. So valuable a prize as this has never before been ottered in this or any other similar institution, and it is not to be wondered at that the hope of gaining it should induce thousands to enrol their names in the subscription books of the Art Union.— That member will be fortunate, indeed, to whose Jot it may chance to fall C. P. Cranch.— ltalian Scenery—The Ru ins of the Palace of the Colonna. This is the last picture which the artist, who is now studying abroad, has sent home; and it evin ces a very marked improvement in his man ner. Vincent Colyer. —Mr. C’s “Crayon stu dy of David,” is a capitally conceived and a very ably executed work. J. F. Cropsey. —The two small pictures of this artist are quite deserving of his repu tation. A. B. Durand. —We are glad to find here several of the happiest works of the distin guished President of the Academy. The large view of Dover Plain is in his most suc cessful manner, and is a much admired and coveted picture. If it should not full to our lot next month, we shall he satisfied with the “ Village Church by Moonlight.” We should be very glad to have an engraving fiom the Art Union of oneof Mr. Durand s landscapes. No such subjects have yet been published, and we are sure that nothing could better please ihc public taste. T. Doughty. — 44 Moonlight —winter,” is a large and admirable picture. The sky is very beautiful, and the silvery beams of ihe newly-risen moon fall so sweetly over bill and lake, that despite the chilly snow which envelopes the ground, one feels, in gazing at it, wonderfully disposed to wander forth and muse, with maidens fair, on poetry and love. P. P. Duggan. —The “ Battle Sketch,” by this able artist, is a very spirited and at tractive picture. The study in crayon, of 44 Daniel in ihe Lion’s Den,” is one of the best works of the kind which we have seen for many a day. The head of Daniel is not to be excelled. Charles Deas. —We have a pretty bit of Western Scenery by this gentleman, and two other excellent pictures in his particular class of subjects; one, “The Wounded Pawnee,” and the other, 44 Sioux, Playing Ball.” F. W. Edmonds-. —“The Strolling Musi cian,” is of that pleasant, home character which, when well portrayed, (as it always is in the bunds of this artist.) never fails to please both the eye and the heart. This work contains many figures, admirably dis posed. to tell the story —simply the visit of a traveling organist and his monkey to the homestead of a rustic familv. J S. JL Gifford. —We are gratified to find several excellent pictures by this young ar- tist. They arc full of good feeling for na ture, and give evidence of far more than or dinary talent. The view on Esopus Creek is a very pleasing study. Regis Gignoux. —Two inimitable Snow Scenes; a composition from Thompson's 44 Spring,” and a line picture of Alpine Scene ry, are the contributions of this artist. J. W. Gi .ass.— Wo axe much pleased with this artist's picture of 44 Cromwell’s Soldiers Destroying the Sign of the King’s Head, in 1642.'’ It is unquestionably the best work we have had from his pencil. The two little equestrian pictures called “ Shadows,” and “Too Late,” are very excellent. For the other works, especially the Landscape and the Marine, we have but little fancy. L. Grube. —Some clever Fruit Pieces. T. H. Hinckley. —An admirable picture of Cattle, and a. Landscape, with dogs watch ing for game. No artist among us paints such subjects better than Mr. H. J. Hamilton. —“ Hay Boats on the Rari tan,” a “River Scenes” and “ Showery Day,” all effective pictures. D. Huntington. —Mr. H's fine picture of “Queen Mary signing the death warrant of Lady Jane Grey,” is the subject of the pre sent engraving, which, we doubt not. will be highly valued by the subscribers. Besides this work, the artist has several others in the Gallery. A delicious little hit of woodland and water, called the “Trout Brook,” —one almost fancies he sees the shade of Ihe ven erated Walton, musing on the pleasant banks of this gentle stream. Next comes a beauti ful Italian Scene; and last of all, but not least, a spirited picture of la bclla Italia. — The mind irresistibly wanders to the olden time and to classic haunts, as the eye falls on this poetic landscape. It is apparently paint ed with haste, but is very effective and full of sentiment—a strong characteristic of all the works of Mr. Huntington, whether he labors with portraits, muses with history, or dreams with landscape and poetry. J. W, Hill.-— The pictures of this artist are landscapes in water colors. There are several portfolios of similar works in the catalogue. Each portfolio is one prize, and contains pictures by various persons. W. Hart has several good landscapes, among them a cleverly executed 44 Scene near Lansingburg,” and 44 Coming from the Mill,” a pretty composition. R. Havel. —View from Catskill Mountain House. George Innes.— This gentleman's pictures are greatly superior, this season, to his for mer efforts. The “ View on the Hudson,” and the landscape called “ Peace and War,” are both of great merit, and will be sought after at the distribution. Charles Jarvis. —“ The Bird Fancier,” is a pretty subject, carefully studied. Wm. S. Jewett.— The landscape called the “ Lover’s Walk,” is one of the artist’s best productions in this department. He is generally more successful, however, with other subjects. J. F. Kensett. —The most important of Mr. lvs pictures is the fine scene on the Anio, Italy. Among the others are some excellent bits of water-fall, glen and forest scenery. E. Leutze. —“The Mission of the Jews to Ferdinand and Isabella,” by this distin guished painter, is a bright gem in the exhi bition. Many hopes are set upon it, and we cherish something of that sort ourself, when we speculate upon the results of the coming distribution of prizes. The story told in this masterly picture, is that of the Inquisitor- General Torquernader interrupting the confer ence of the monarchs and the Hebrew’ depu tation, with his angry exclamation, “Judas Iscariot sold his master for thirty pieces of silver. Your Highnesses would sell him anew for thirty thousand; here he is, (throw ing a crucifix upon the table,) take him and barter him away!” E. H. May.— Mr. May's “Lutherat Nu remberg, refusing to recant,” is a much and justly admired work. It is excellent in de sign and color, and tells its story effectually. This story is that of the moment when Serra longa asks of the Reformer, “ When all for sake you, where will you take refuge V’ To which Luther replies, (pointing and looking upwards with the eye of faith,) “under Heaven,!” Wm. S. Mount. — The only picture of this popular artist, which we iindhere, is the amusing one of “Loss and Gain,” which was recently exhibited in the Academy of Design. S. S. Osgood. —A very poetical 44 Head of the Saviour;” a half-length female figure, with a ‘“Mandolin;” and a little group of figures, “ Drawing Lots,” are the contribu tions of this artist. T. S. Officer. —This able miniature pain ter has, among other works on ivory, a sweet female figure, called “ Holy Eyes,” in illus tration of Moore’s lines— • “ As shining beacons solely, To light to Heaven.” J. T. Pef.le . —We have here three most admirable works by this excellent artist.— All of them are pictures of rural life, a class of subjects which never fails to please the popular taste. Jn the largest composition a lassie is feeding her “Pet Lamb,” while by her side stands her youthful lover, iresh from his labors in the surrounding fields. Anoth er is a girl seated in the midst of her barn yard friends, the hens and chickens. The third and most pleasing, is called “Bird- Nesting.” The principal figure, a sweet child of but few summers, is gazing on the stolen nest and eggs, which she holds in her hand ; seated on a bank by her side is a boy holding up the old bird by its claws, and be tween these two figures peeps a third at the newly gotten treasure. We prefer this pic ture to any we have before seen by this ar tist. T. A. Richards.—“ Summer Showers,” is the title of a large landscape composition by Mr. Richards, in which all the features of a wide-spread and beautiful landscape arc seen under the alternate effects of rain and sun shine. A grove of forest-trees rises on the right of the grassy bank in the foreground ; beyond is a sketch of woodland and meadow, skirting the banks of a distant lake, which is spotted here and there with fairy islands, and is Hanked by wide ranges of remote hills.— Besides this picture, the artist has several others, principally views on Lake George, in New Jersey, and on the CaNkill Mountains. W. llanney.—“Veterans of 1776 return ing from the War,” is a very merry picture. The old soldiers are going home in a very di lapidated condition. Their equipage is a rude cart, drawn by a ruder steed. One of the oc cupants of this vehicle is doing some fiddling, to which another of the party on foot is per forming a grotesque dance. The worthy who acts as postillion, is looking back in de light at this graceful performance. In the distance other stragglers are indistinctly seen. Altogether, the dramatis personal are a very philosophical crew, indeed, and one can't help liking them. T. P. Rossiter.— “The Convalescent” is a half-length of a young girl, bolstered up in an easy chair, and just regaining her lost health and beauty. In such pictures, Mr, Rossiter is always happy. J. B. Stearns.—The two historical pic tures by this artist are evidences of very rap id progress. In the “Trial of Andre,” the unfortunate soldier is making his defence be fore the board of officers,. commissioned for the purpose by Gen. Washington. All the portraits Introduced have been carefully paint ed from-authentic originals, which gives the picture great historical value, apart from its merit as a work of art. We are quite as much pleased with “ Washington on his Mis sion to the Indians,” in which the daring young hero has reached his peculiar destina tion, and is holding a talk with a large con course of red-men. These works are valua ble additions to the gallery, and to our na tional art. F. It. Spencer.—The “Print-Seller,” by Mr. Spencer, is a half-length of a boy. ft has good character, and is painted.with capi tal effect: Allen Smith, Jr.—“ The Young Mechan ic'’ pleases us very much. The artist is quite unknown to us, but from the talent which this picture evinces, we shall wait further efforts from his pencil with interest.. The subject is the interior of a carpenter’s shop, with fig ures. Every part is executed with the most commendable observation of nature. A. 11. Wenzler.—The large view in the Catskills, by this gentleman, is a truthful stu dy from nature, and in so far is a valuable work. It is, however, too deficient in picto rial effect and in color, to give much pleasure to the general observer. We may call it the 44 raw material” of a picture not yet “cook ed,'’ as Mr. Toots would say, with the artis tic fire. Edwin White. —This gentleman's pictures are highly creditable to his genius, in the per formance as well as in the promise. With a soul happy in conception, a hand ready to execute, and a mind resolutely bent on pro gress. he will unquestionably arrive at excel lence in his art. “The Old Age of Milton,” and “ The Old Age of Galileo,” are both fe licitous subjects, treated with excellent effect, and envied will be he to whose Lot they fall. 227