E381020B. Findens’ Tableaux (1839).
The Literary Gazette, 20 October 1838, pp. 661–662.
As reprinted in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 4, 402–403.
This well-conceived series embrace a subject replete with interest for every human heart. The virtues and affections of woman; the moral sustenance and balm of life. What circle do they not brighten and cheer, what individual breast do they not warm and solace? The Tableaux are of sufficient variety to illustrate the excellence of young and old; of matron, wife, widow, and maiden, under many straits and trials, and in positions of danger and difficulty, as well as of happiness and sunshine. The “Cartel,” the “Romaunt of the Page,” the “Buccaneer,” the “Greek Wife,” the “Novice,” the “Sister of Charity,” &c. indicate the nature of the subjects which the painter has embodied, and of the poems or prose stories which have been framed to illus- [p. 662→] trate them. The engravings do honour to the burin of the Messrs. Finden, and those artists whom they have associated with them in this task,—the Messrs. Holl, Egleton, Freeman, Hall, Scriven, and Hollis.
The literary contributions are by Miss Mitford, Miss E. Barrett, J.R. and H.F. Chorley, J. Hughes, J. Kenyon, F.A. Osgood, R.E. Townsend, and Amelia Opie. They all possess merit, and we are sorry that we can only select one example of them; and, in so doing, be directed as much by the eligible length of the piece, as by any superiority, though it reflects no disgrace on the name of Mr. Kenyon.
[The review concludes with “The Greek Wife” by John Kenyon; this we omit.]
Reviewed:
Findens’ Tableaux, ed. M.R. Mitford, London: 1839.
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