The Natiunal Purtrail Gallery, though an entirely independent institution, will be conveniently noticed here. The importance of forming a gallery of portraits of eminent Englishmen had lung been Insisted on by historical students before it attracted much public interest or the notice of the government. But thanks mainly to the tealoue and persevering advocacy of Earl Stanhope (then Lord Mahon), the subject was at length listened to. The Houses of Parliament gave a favourable response to a direct appeal, the government proposed a grant for 20001., and the Gallery became a reality. By a treasury warrant dated December 2nd, 1856, a " board of trustees for the National Portrait Gallery" was appointed, and early in 1857 the machinery was got into operation, 31r. George Scharf, a gentleman best known to the public by the admirable outlines with which lie has enriched many valuable works, but known also to art-RW(10ms as one of the most accomplished of living English art-critics and arehmologists, being appointed secretary and keeper—the real working officer of the institution. By the end of the year, not only had the whole been got into good working order, but 23 portraits had been hung on the walls of the temporary apartments assigned by the government to the collection in 29 Great George Street, Westminster. Of these portraits, 15 were purchased, 8 were donations. Up to the present time (August, 1800) 74 more portraits have been added. Of the 97 portraits now in the gallery, 62 have been purchased and 35 donations.
In the commencement of their work the trustees were singularly 'successful : the foundation-stone being laid by the Earl of Ellesmere, in the presentation of the famous Chandos Shakspere—which the Earl had purchased at the Stowe sale in 1848 for 355 guineas ; and the purchase by the trustees of a characteristic portrait of ' Sir Walter Raleigh' the picture mentioned by Aubrey, who saw it at Downton, where it remained till its removal to the National Portrait Gallery.
As little is generally known of the state of the gallery, we will enumerate its contents, noting separately the presents and the pur chases, and commencing with the former. Following Shakspere in order of time was a portrait of William Wilberforce, by Sir Thomas Lawrence—a picture left unfinished by the painter, the head, a very forcible one, being alone completed ; Viscount Sidmouth, a water colour drawing by G. R.chmond ; Spencer Perceval, painted by Joseph, from a mask taken after his assassination, and wearing a some what death-like but kindly expression : these three portraits were all bequests by Sir R. highs. James, first Earl Stanhope, the distin guished statesman, by Sir Godfrey Knellcr, presented by the present earl. Thomas Stothard, RA., by James Green, presented by Mr.
J. H. Anderdon—a good likeness, as may be supposed from its having belonged to his friend the poet Rogers, at whose sale it was pur chased by Mr. Anderdon. The poet Thomson, by Paton, "more fat than bard beseems," and heavy-eyed withal. George, first Viscount Torrington, painted by Sir Godfrey Kneller, and presented by the present viscount. John Foxe, the martyrologist, painter unknown, presented by the Society of Antiquaries. Wright of Derby, painted by himself -a second-rate painter, but a cheerful, intelligent-looking man—presented by Mr. W. M. Rossetti. The sculptor Nollekens, painted by F Abbott, leaning on his favourite bust of Fox, and holding his sculptor's tools in his hand, presented by Mr. Labouchere. Sir Francis Burdett, by Phillips, a good likeness, presented by his daughter. Lord Chancellor Talbot. by Richardson, presented by the Hon. Mrs. J. Talbot. The well-known portrait of Sir James Mackintosh, in his robes as Recorder of Bombay, painted by Sir T. Lawrence in 1803, presented by the son of Sir James. Robert Burns, also well known by the engraving, here ascribed to Nasmyth and Raeburn : it formerly belonged to Burns's friend and publisher, George Thomson, and was presented by Mr. J. D. Dillon. John Philip Kemble, by Gilbert Stuart ; and his sister, Mrs. Siddons, painted by Sir William Beechcy, in 1793: both these were presented by Mr. J. T, Helaine. An excellent head, by Reynolds, of the celebrated Earl of Shelburne, and first Marquis of Lansdowne, presented by the present marquis. An Intelligent and characteristic, though somewhat faded portrait, by Reynolds, of old Admiral Boscawen, presented by Viscount Falmouth. A profile portrait (artist unknown) of General Wolfe, formerly the property of the Princess Charlotte, presented by the King of the Belgians. A miniature of Athenian Stuart, presented by his son. Keats the poet, painted by his friend Severn, and presented by Mr. Travers. President Forbes, of Culloden, presented by Sir John Forbes. Dr. Edward Jenner, by Northcote, presented by Mr. J. C. Moore. Dr. Nathaniel Hooke. presented by Lord Boston. Sir Charles Bell, presented by his widow. John Knox, the gift of the Duke of Buccleuch. James Gillray, the caricaturist, painted by himself, the gift of Col. Begot. Sir Stamford Raffles, given by his nephew. The lit. Hon. Thomas Winnington, presented by Sir Thomas Winnington. Sir Francis Chantrey, painted by Phillips, presented by Lady Chantrey. The Seventh Earl of Derby, presented by the present Earl Matthew Pr.or, painted by Richardson, presented by the Earl of Derby. Sir Leoline Jenkins, presented by the Rev. J. M. Treherne. And lastly, a medallion by Chantrey, of Henry Kirke White, presented by Dr. Boot.