STATUE.—­But when shall it be done, Bob?  To-morrow?

PEEL.—­Not precisely to-morrow; but—­

STATUE.—­Next week, then?

PEEL.—­I can’t say; but don’t be impatient—­rely on my promise, and wait awhile, wait awhile, my dear friend.  Good night.

STATUE.—­Oh! confound your wait awhile.  I see I have nothing to expect.

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THE BEAUTY OF BRASS.

Tom Duncombe declares he never passes McPhail’s imitative-gold mart without thinking of Ben D’Israeli’s speeches, as both of them are so confoundedly full of fantastic

[Illustration:  MOSAIC ORNAMENTS.]

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PUNCH AT THE ART-UNION EXHIBITION AGAIN

Limited space in our last number prevented our noticing any other than the Sleeping Beauty; and, as there are many other humorous productions possessing equal claims to our attention in the landscape and other departments of art, we shall herein endeavour to point out their characteristics—­more for the advantage of future purchasers than for the better and further edification of those whose meagre notions and tastes have already been shown.  And as the Royal Academicians, par courtesy, demand our first notice, we shall, having wiped off D. M’Clise, R.A., now proceed, baton in hand, to make a few pokes at W.F.  Witherington, R.A., upon his work entitled “Winchester Tower, Windsor Castle, from Romney Lock.”

This is a subject which has been handled many times within our recollection, by artists of less name, less fame, and less pretensions to notice, if we except the undeniable fact of their displaying infinitely more ability in their representations of the subject, than can by any possibility be discovered in the one by W. F. Witherington, R.A.  If our remarks were made with an affectionate eye to the young ladies of the satin-album-loving school, we should assuredly style this “a duck of a picture”—­one after their own hearts—­treated in mild and undisturbed tones of yellow, blue, and pink—­and what yellows! what blues! and what pinks!  Some kind, superintending genius of landscape-painting evidently prepared the scene for W.F.  Witherington, R.A.  It displays nothing of the vulgar every-day look of nature, as seen at Romney Lock, or any other spot; not a pebble out of its place—­not a leaf deranged—­here are bright amber trees, and blue metallic towers, prepared gravel-walks, and figures nicely cleaned and bleached to suit; it is, in truth, the most genteel landscape ever looked on.  Nothing but absolute needlework can create more wonderment.  Fie! fie! get thee hence, W.F.  Witherington, R.A.