Much of the freshness and faithfulness of Mr. Creswick's pictures are due to his practice of painting them iu the open air, and direct from the object or from nature—a practice now common enough, but which among oil-painters he was one of the first to adopt as a regular habit. But every picture he has painted bears testimony to this direct study of nature, and to his own thorough enjoyment of his occupation. Neither in cumposition nor colour has ho worked by rule : and if, as is sometimes the case in his later pictures, we desiderate a little more richness and variety iu the colour, we feel that the painter so thoroughly comprehends the particular idea he wishes to embody, that we distrust cur own impression, and readily accept his reading of the text.
Mr. Creswick has made numerous designs for various publications, and has for some time been engaged in preparing a series of views of Welsh scenery for lithographiug ou a large scale; he has.also executed Items! etchings. He was elected R.A. in 1851.
CRtVIER, JEAN BAPTISTE, born at Paris in 1693, was the son of a journeyman printer. He studied under Rollin, and afterwards became professor of rhetoric in the college of Beauvais. After Relliu'a death he undertook to continue his Roman History,' of which ho wrote eight volumes. He is leas diffuse and digressiva than his master, though not so pleasing iu his style of composition. He also published an edition of Llvy in 6 vole. 4to, 1748, with notes. The work by which he is best known is Histoire des Empereurs Remains jusqu' it Constantin,' 6 vol.. 4to, Paris, 1756. The author has scrupulously adhered to the ancient authorities in the statement of facts, but his narrative is deficient in interest and force. Crdvier wrote also 'Histoire de l'Univeraitd de Paris,' 7 vols. 12mo 1761, which is iu great measure an abridgment of the larger work olEgasse du Boulay ; and Ithdtorique Frangaiae,' 1765, a good work, which has been frequently reprinted. Crdvier died at Paris in December 1765.