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moment can doubt。 That nothing is easier to render it absurd and
monstrous； is a position as little capable of dispute by anybody who has
beheld another cartoon on the same subject in the same Hall； representing
a Ghoule in a state of raving madness； dancing on a Body in a very high
wind； to the great astonishment of John the Baptist's head； which is
looking on from a corner。
Mr。 Maclise's handling of the subject has by this time sunk into the
hearts of thousands upon thousands of people。 It is familiar knowledge
among all classes and conditions of men。 It is the great feature within the
Hall； and the constant topic of discourse elsewhere。 It has awakened in
the great body of society a new interest in； and a new perception and a
new love of； Art。 Students of Art have sat before it； hour by hour；
perusing in its many forms of Beauty； lessons to delight the world； and
raise themselves； its future teachers； in its better estimation。 Eyes well
accustomed to the glories of the Vatican； the galleries of Florence； all the
mightiest works of art in Europe； have grown dim before it with the strong
emotions it inspires； ignorant； unlettered； drudging men； mere hewers and
drawers； have gathered in a knot about it （as at our back a week ago）； and
read it； in their homely language； as it were a Book。 In minds； the
roughest and the most refined； it has alike found quick response； and will；
and must； so long as it shall hold together。
For how can it be otherwise？ Look up； upon the pressing throng who
strive to win distinction from the Guardian Genius of all noble deeds and
honourable renown；a gentle Spirit； holding her fair state for their reward
and recognition （do not be alarmed； my Lord Chamberlain； this is only in
a picture）； and say what young and ardent heart may not find one to beat
in unison with itbeat high with generous aspiration like its ownin
following their onward course； as it is traced by this great pencil！ Is it
the Love of Woman； in its truth and deep devotion； that inspires you？
See it here！ Is it Glory； as the world has learned to call the pomp and
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circumstance of arms？ Behold it at the summit of its exaltation； with its
mailed hand resting on the altar where the Spirit ministers。 The Poet's
laurel…crown； which they who sit on thrones can neither twine or witheris
that the aim of thy ambition？ It is there； upon his brow； it wreathes his
stately forehead； as he walks apart and holds communion with himself。
The Palmer and the Bard are there； no solitary wayfarers； now； but two of
a great company of pilgrims； climbing up to honour by the different paths
that lead to the great end。 And sure； amidst the gravity and beauty of
them all… …unseen in his own form； but shining in his spirit； out of every
gallant shape and earnest thoughtthe Painter goes triumphant！
Or say that you who look upon this work； be old； and bring to it grey
hairs； a head bowed down； a mind on which the day of life has spent itself；
and the calm evening closes gently in。 Is its appeal to you confined to its
presentment of the Past？ Have you no share in this； but while the grace
of youth and the strong resolve of maturity are yours to aid you？ Look
up again。 Look up where the spirit is enthroned； and see about her；
reverend men； whose task is done； whose struggle is no more； who cluster
round her as her train and council； who have lost no share or interest in
that great rising up and progress； which bears upward with it every means
of human happiness； but； true in Autumn to the purposes of Spring； are
there to stimulate the race who follow in their steps； to contemplate； with
hearts grown serious； not cold or sad； the striving in which they once had
part； to die in that great Presence； which is Truth and Bravery； and Mercy
to the Weak； beyond all power of separation。
It would be idle to observe of this last group that； both in execution
and idea； they are of the very highest order of Art； and wonderfully serve
the purpose of the picture。 There is not one among its three…and…twenty
heads of which the same remark might not be made。 Neither will we
treat of great effects produced by means quite powerless in other hands for
such an end； or of the prodigious force and colour which so separate this
work from all the rest exhibited； that it would scarcely appear to be
produced upon the same kind of surface by the same description of
instrument。 The bricks and stones and timbers of the Hall itself are not
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facts more indisputable than these。
It has been objected to this extraordinary work that it is too elaborately
finished； too complete in its several parts。 And Heaven knows； if it be
judged in this respect by any standard in the Hall about it； it will find no
parallel； nor anything approaching to it。 But it is a design； intended to be
afterwards copied and painted in fresco； and certain finish must be had at
last； if not at first。 It is very well to take it for granted in a Cartoon that a
series of cross…lines； almost as rough and apart as the lattice…work of a
garden summerhouse； represents the texture of a human face； but the face
cannot be painted so。 A smear upon the paper may be understood； by
virtue of the context gained from what surrounds it； to stand for a limb； or
a body； or a cuirass； or a hat and feathers； or a flag； or a boot； or an angel。
But when the time arrives for rendering these things in colours on a wall；
they must be grappled with； and cannot be slurred over in this wise。
Great misapprehension on this head seems to have been engendered in the
minds of some observers by the famous cartoons of Raphael； but they
forget that these were never intended as designs for fresco painting。
They were designs for tapestry…work； which is susceptible of only certain
broad and general effects； as no one better knew than the Great Master。
Utterly detestable and vile as the tapestry is； compared with the immortal
Cartoons from which it was worked； it is impossible for any man who
casts his eyes upon it where it hangs at Rome； not to see immediately the
special adaptation of the drawings to that end； and for that purpose。 The
aim of these Cartoons being wholly different； Mr。 Maclise's object； if we
understand it； was to show precisely what he meant to do； and knew he
could perform； in fresco； on a wall。 And here his meaning is； worked out；
without a compromise of any difficulty； without the avoidance of any
disconcerting truth； expressed in all its beauty； strength； and power。
To what end？ To be perpetuated hereafter in the high place of the
chief Senate…House of England？ To be wrought； as it were； into the very
elements of which that Temple is composed； to co…endure with it； and still
present； perhaps； some lingering traces of its ancient Beauty； when
London shall have sunk into a grave of grass…grown ruin；and the whole
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circle of the Arts； another revolution of the mighty wheel completed； shall
be wrecked and broken？
Let us hope so。 We will contemplate no other possibilityat present。
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IN MEMORIAMW。 M。
THACKERAY
It has been desired by some of the personal friends of the great English
writer who established this magazine； ｛1｝ that its brief record of his
having been stricken from among men should be written by the old
comrade and brother in arms who pens these lines； and of whom he often
wrote himself； and always with the warmest generosity。
I saw him first nearly twenty…eight years ago； when he proposed to
become the illustrator of my earliest book。 I saw him last； shortly