f Bedford, than
by the presence of Winter and Spring. By placing the two former behind
his Grace, and turning one of them away from the eye of the spectator,
the sculptor has even left it so doubtful whether he has or has not
taken the liberty of changing the natural course of the seasons in order
to effect this, or some other purpose, that we have known some persons
mistake--unless we are ourselves mistaken--Summer for Autumn and Autumn
for Summer; and others puzzled between Summer and Spring. It is true,
the seasons in our climate, are sometimes so strangely disordered and
confused, that if Mr. Westmacott should plead that in this part of the
design, he has chosen rather to imitate nature than the antique, and
English nature rather than the nature of any other climate, we should
probably be silenced.

It may also be pleaded with great truth in favour of the artist, that in
consequence of the arrangement which he has adopted, there is in every
view of the monument, something of merit and importance to gratify
public attention. In front, there is the statue itself contrasted by the
plainness and simplicity of the unadorned side of the pedestal. On the
east side there is the most beautiful of the bas-reliefs: on the west,
the most interesting view of the seasons, and what there is behind, God
knows. The public are not yet permitted to walk round it.

We will now endeavour to explain the symbols and metaphors which Mr.
Westmacott has invented or adopted, as well as we are able, in the order
in which they present themselves on the monument. Spring is very
properly represented as rising a wreath of blossoms and other early
flowers, among which the lily is distinguishable; the genius of Autumn
is pouring forth her abundance of English fruits and vegetables (for
there is nothing exotic) from a cornucopia; Summer, as far as can be
seen from without the enclosed area of Russel-square, has a butterfly
perched on his hand, intimating that this is the season when this
beautiful insect bursts from its chrysales into new life; and Winter
sits shrunk and sheltered by drapery from inclemencies of which, to be
strictly correct, it should appear to have been the cause.

The character and style of Mr. Westmacott's boys or genii, are something
between that of Fiamingo, and real life. Those of Summer and Autumn
especially, possess much of infantile grace; but the genius of Winter
appears disproportionably small, and the space left for hi