ENGLISH SCHOOL, ooooo WEST, ... PRIV. COLLECTION. 1597875 CROMWELL DISSOLVING THE PARLIAMENT. The Parliament met for the first time in 1640, which, afterwards sentenced to death King Charles the first. That assembly had likewise abolished the house of peers, and was therefore looked upon as being the only authority ruling England. However Cromwell having had an opportunity of displaying high military talents and showing his bravery, prudence and even dissimulation, acquires at length à boundless influence among his military companions. He availed himself of it by putting an end to the arbitrary authority of the Parliament,' and on April the 10th 1683, having entered unexpected, he broke off the debates, briefly upbraided several members with their vices and unpopularity, declaring that God having done with them, the assembly was dissolved. Imme- ́ diately, and on an agreed signal; sone soldiers are entering the house, drive out the members and shut the doors. Such is the scene that Benjamin West has described with a very high talent. Cromwell in the center of the composition stands there with a calm, dignified and cool air, ordering the sceptre to be taken away, as being a bright rattle which seemed to be the emblem of the authority which the Parliament usurped. This picture was painted for Lord Grosvenor, and forms part of his collection, it was very well engraved in 17.. by John Hall. Breadth, 12 feet 10 inches; height, 9 feet, 7 inches. 强 CROMWELL DISSOLVANT LE PARLEMENT. C'est en 1640 que se réunit pour la première fois le parlement, qui plus tard condamna à mort le roi Charles Ier. Cette assemblée avait aussi aboli la Chambre des pairs, et se trouvait ainsi la seule autorité qui gouvernât l'Angleterre. Cependant Cromwell ayant eu l'occasion de déployer de grands talens militaires et de faire connaître son courage, sa prudence, même sa dissimulation, finit par obtenir une influence sans bornes parmi ses compagnons d'armes. Il en profita pour faire cesser l'autorité arbitraire du Parlement, et le 10 avril 1653, entrant sans être attendu, il interrompit les débats, reprocha brièvement à plusieurs membres leurs vices, leur impopularité, et déclara que, Dieu ne voulant plus d'eux, l'assemblée était dissoute. A l'instant et au signal convenu, des soldats entrent dans la salle, la font évacuer et ferment les portes. Telle est la scène représentée par Benjamin West avec un talent supérieur. Cromwell calme, plein de dignité et de sangfroid, occupe le centre de la composition. Il donne l'ordre d'enlever le sceptre, brillant hochet, qui semblait être l'emblème de l'autorité usurpée par le parlement. Ce tableau a été peint pour lord Grosvenor, et fait partie de sa collection; il a été très-bien gravé en 1789 par Jean Hall. Larg., 12 pieds; haut., 9 pieds. ENGLISH SCHOOL. 000000 REYNOLDS. ooo PRIVATE GALLERY. PAINTING. This allegorical composition is often designed under the tille of Childrens Academy. Reynolds the painter has described there a young child standing before an easel, attempting to draw the portrait of a little girl sitting before him ; notwithstanding her being naked, one of her companions endeavours to enhance her gracefulness by placing a feather in her head-dress which, however, is not fit for her years. Reynolds was very fond of painting children, and no doubt this picture was a true description of nature. It was carefully performed and for a long while the property of the author, who, on his death bequeathed it to his friend Lord Palmerston. From that time it has always been in the possession of this nobleman's family, and was engraved in the pencil way by F. Howard. Breadth, 4 feet 3 inches? height, 3 feet 6 inches? |