Fine Arts.

small sea-coast scene by Thomas Cvoswick , "Looking Out , " in which a great idea of space on a sea line is conveyed , and a wonderful amount of artistic feeling developed within a few inches by the simplest means . An out-of-fashion picture by Gastineau has exceeding merit in its particular style—it is called " A Chapel in Wales . " On the left is a mountain in front of a chapel , the mountain shelving downwards to the right to form a background , tho

centre broken by a copse that leads the eye to a- narrow bright river , flowing like a silver ribbon through a broad valley . The harmonious blending of colour in this landscape is specially observable , if anything , it maybe thought too mild and weak in the treatment ; but nevertheless it is infinitely preferable to the " Cheese yolk , cobalt blue , and flash of lightning across the sky" style , now so predominant . The " Old Church at Chester , " an early work of S . Pi'out , is remarkable for a noble oak and some vigorous painting

of foliage , not usual with this artist . "A Tarn , by Sunset , " Burnet , dark and mysterious , with a depth of dark light ( if such an expression be allowed ) in the distance is contrasted with " Rock work , " by McEwen , where across a bare white rock is thrown some brown spraying foliage , while a river clashes wildly its broken foaming waters to the front from a sombre background . A Landscape , by Devint , with a castle in the background , and a stretch of river smoothlflowing round an abrupt point leaves little to

y desire . There are , of course , some fine specimens of David Cox ; bnt special notice should be given to an early drawing by this master of a Mountain Slope , which possesses all the air , ancl feeling , and force of his later style . "Dutch Boats going out of Flushing , " by J . AV . Eobins , is a masterpiece of sea painting , reminding artists of Turner ' s early sea pictures . The lowering clouds in the distance , the storm light in front , the sharp gale blowing off the wave tops into spraythe free sailingthe actual animated life of the fishing

, , boat _ going off to fche distressed vessel , the clash and hurry of the heaving , scampering water , combine to form a picture of which any gallery might be proud . There are some gay , bright sketches by Newton , Stone , D . Cowper , and others , which exhibit all the elegance ancl graceful sentiment of these artists . The gallery is open for gratuitous admission , and the collection will fully repay the trouble of a visit .

MR . MAYALL . M . Mayall , of Regent Street , has just opened for public view a new series of album photographic ' portraits of the Queen , the Prince Consort and the various members of the Royal Family . These are remarkable forclearness of outline , vigour ancl truthfulness of expression , grace of attitude , and the most delicate accuracy of detail . They are also distinguished ba skilful arrangement of liht ancl shade

y g , and by a purity ancl mellowness of tone , which gives to each of these something of the brightness , softness , ancl precision which are commonly found in line engravings . The series comprises no fewer than thirty-six different photographs , some of the subjects being in groups , and others in single figures ; and in the collection will be found excellent portraits of the Crown Prince and Crown Princess of Prussia , and the Prince Louis of Hesse , fche affianced of Princess

Alice . There are five single portraits of the Queen , all very truthful and characteristic , ancl in every respect admirably executed . Everyone should view the portraits , ancl very many , we feel assured , will not be satisfied with a single view .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . P . M . SERGEANT MAJOR AVING , PROV . G . PUEST . At Truro , on Tuesday , the Gth inst ., in the 65 th year of his age , died John AA'ing , of the Royal Miners' Artillery Militia , late Sergeant Major in the 17 th foot , add Prov . G . Purst . ofthe Ancient Order of Freemasons in Cornwall . This brave old soldier , whose death is a subject of sincere regret to a large circle of friends , was a native of Hertfordshireand entering the in 1814 he served

, army , at various stations in the Mediterranean ancl in India . By meritorious service , he rose from tho ranks to be regimental sergeant-major of the 17 th foot , and in that capacity lis was engaged in the Affghanistan war , and was present at the storming and capture of Ghuznee . The brave Sergeant was in possession of several medals ; one for the capture of Ghuznee and Khelut , a gold medal presented him by the officers on his leaving the 17 th Foot , and the much silver medal

prized presented by the Queen from a special recommendation of the Duke of Wellington for good conduct ancl meritorious service . During his residence in Cornwall he has formed a large circle of of friends , not only among those persons connected with the Militia , but more especially among the order of Freemasons , who were well able to appreciate ancl to acknowledge his valuable

Obituary.

services . As a last tribute of respect the brethren of the Fortitude Lodge , ( No . 153 , ) together with several members of the Phoenix Lodge , ( No . 415 , ) assembled at tho Lodge , yesterday , at four p . m , ancl according to Masonic custom , wearing white gloves , with a white crape band on their left arm , they proceeded to the Militia Barracks , where they were joined by the deceased ' s relatives , friends , officers , and companions in arms , under the command of tAVarclancl

Cap . , accompanied by the brass bands of the Militia and the A olunteer Rifle Corps , playing the Dead March in Saul , the mournful procession marched from the barracks to the St . Mary ' s burial ground . The coffin of the deceased was homo en the shoulders of six privates of the Militia , ancl was covered with a Union Jack as a funeral pall , on which rested the sword and shako of the lamented sergeant . On reaching the Lich-gate of tbe mortuary chapel of St . Mary's

the Masonic brethren opened rank right ancl left , ancl permitted the military procession to enter the burial ground . Here it was met by Bro . E . G . Harvey , the Rector , who officiated throughout the burial service , at the special request of the W . M .. of the Fortitude Lodge , of which the deceased was for so many years a worthy and efficient member . On reaching the grave the brethren stood on either side during the remainder of the service , and at its

conclusion each member of the mystic order dropped a sprig of acacia into the grave , with the Masonic lamentation " Alas I my brother . " So universally beloved was the late Sergeant Major AVing that an immense crowd assembled at the funeral , and thss streets through which the procession took its way were thronged with pitying spectators . After the service hacl been concluded the brethren and the Militia again formed up procession , and whilst the latter marched to their barracks , the former re-assembled at the Lodge-Room , with a full hope that their departed brother had quitted this earthly lodge to await his Great Master ' s final summona to everlasting happiness in the life to come .

Public Amusements.

PUBLIC AMUSEMENTS .

CRYSTAL PALACE GARDENS . The terrace gardens and flower beds at this season of the year forms one of the great attractions of the Crystal Palace . As the disposition of the flowering plants this season has excited unusual attention , it is anticipated that a short description of the varied arrangements of the beds and parterres will be read with interest . As is well known , there is a range of six fountains on the terraces at the Crystal Palace . These are surrounded with lats

grass p , ornamented with hundreds of flower beds . It is to these latter that attention is specially directed , and it may at once be stated that at no former period have they been more luxuriantly brilliant than at the present time , their appearance reflecting much credit upon the . care bestowed upon them by Mr . Gordon , the company ' ssuperintendent of tho out-door gardens and park . The fountains nearest to the north and south wings are surrounded brhododendron bedsThe

y . next pair of basins are encircled by chain beds of yellow calceolarias and scarlet geraniums , with margins of light variegated allysum . The seven square beds of flowers forming the inner decorations of these clumps are made up with margins of blue lobelias and the variegated leaf geranium , having in the centres purple petunias , orange tropceolums , yellow calceolarias , purple unique geraniums or intermediate stocks , yellow tropceolums , scarlet geraniums , or rose petunias—the whole

presenting a most beautiful diversified appearance . The clumps round the central pair of fountains have each nearly forty beds , all in the most brilliant flowering order . Those around the auracarias have an inner and outer margin of white cerastrium , filled up with blue dwarf lobelia . The small standard acacias are encircled with beds of orange gazania splenclens ancl tropceolum , with variegated geraniums for edging . The long line of beds fronting the lower terraces produce , perhaps , the most brilliant effect of all

, having an outer margin of purpleking verbenas , enclosing lines of Christina geraniums , with a centre of bright scarlet Crystal [ . Palace geraniums . Looking along the length of the terrace these present a superbly magnificent , appearance . The intermediate beds around the pedestals of the marble vases and statues are composed of geraniums of various foliage ancl colour . It would be a great omission not to notice the numerous parterres

of regular and brilliant colour which line each side of the great walks leading to the central round basin . Disposed in straight lines , capable of being viewed from a slightly elevated position , they present the most charming contrast of colours . The margins are formed of variegated allysum with purple nosegay geraniums in the middle ; they have cerise unique geraniums on each side of them , These are again bounded by two rows of purple kin" verbenas , having between them and the margins also two rows of