t space for any
particular criticism, but must refer to Mr. Durand's admirable
landscapes; the Greek Girl and full length portrait of General Scott by
Mr. Kellogg; Mount Desert Island by Mr. Church; The Defence of
Toleration by Mr. Rothermel; The Edge of the Wood by Mr. Huntington; Mr.
Gignoux's Winter Sunset, and other pictures in the same department by
Richards, Cropsey, and Kensett; and portraits by Elliott, Osgood, Hicks
and Flagg,--are the works which strike us as deserving most praise.

* * * * *

The _Bulletin of the American Art-Union_ for April, describes the
opposition to the institution of which it is the organ, as directed by
"envy, malice, and uncharitableness," and intimates that it is
occasioned by the inability or unwillingness of the committee to
purchase the trashy productions of incompetent painters constantly
offered to them. We submit to the gentlemen connected with the
Art-Union, that they should not suffer the hirelings they may sometimes
employ upon the Bulletin, thus to refer to such artists and such men as
Durand, Wier, Kellogg, Elliott, and many others, who have ventured to
think that their Association does not present altogether the best means
to be devised for the promotion of the fine arts. Taste may be displayed
in writing, as well as in buying pictures.

* * * * *

There was recently sold at auction at Paris, for 2,700 francs, a picture
by GIRODET, which in its time caused not a little amusement to the
Parisians. It was originally a portrait of an actress of the Theatre
Francais, who married a rich banker. Girodet tried to get the pay for
his picture, but the lady and her husband obstinately refused. Hereupon
he transformed her into a Danae, receiving the shower of gold, adding
other figures, such as a turkey cock representing the eagle of Jove,
which rendered the whole work as laughable as it was uncomplimentary to
its subject. It was exhibited in one of the expositions in the time of
the empire, and no picture was ever more successful with the public.

* * * * *

KOTZBUE, a historical painter, now residing at Munich, has nearly
completed a large picture representing the battle of Zuellichau, in 1759,
where the Germans under General Wedel were defeated by the Russians
under Soltikoff. The work is highly praised, and its author even
compared with Horace Vernet for vividness of narrative, tru