Mr. E. A. Walton is perhaps seen at his best in
' The Duck Pond,' No. 27, a charming drawing, re-
markable for its subtlety of tone and delicate scheme of colour. The artistic completeness and refinement of expression in this artisfs work have a rather deleterious effect on most of the pictures placed near it. He has several other drawings all full of painter-like qualities, and particularly noticeable for richness of colour and strength of effect, marred in one or two instances by a slight tendency towards density and solidity in the masses.
Of the six drawings by Mr. James Paterson, some of which might surely have been better hung, we might single out 'Early Spring near Dunglaston,' No. 143, and 'Under Craignee,' No. 179. The former, a very fine drawing, serious, almost severe in design, large, simple, and broad in treatment, sombre in colour, and complete in tone, is somewhat marred by a slight mannerism in the grey of the greens. Work of this kind is entirely devoid of that triviality in multiplying of petty irritating details, answering to no end or purpose, which earn the bubble reputation so many painters seek, and which the unenlightened parvenu searches for so diligently, and when found rewards so generously. The other drawing, ' Under Craignee,' is remarkably fine in the reserved quality and tenderness of the tone, and is full of expres- sion of that peculiar sentiment of Nature when in repose. Mr. Hunt has, amongst others, two drawings, viz. ' The Village Cobbler,' No. 10, and ' Old '34,' No. 211, which, while remarkable for their rich, full colour, sound drawing, and clever characterisa- tion, and in the latter presented with consider- able humour and spontaneity, yet are wanting in a certain charm of expression, specially noticeable in ' The Cobbler,' to which water-colour, as a medium, lends itself. Mr. J. H. Lorimer has three charming drawings of architectural subjects, most interesting in their artistic qualities, and beautifully executed. In the work of Messrs. T. Scott and R. B. Nisbet we have good examples of the result of a certain accomplished capability and precision, of a rather mechanical kind, however. Their work is lacking in artistic vitality, being commonplace in concep- tion, and uninteresting in expression. Of the several drawings by Mr. Robert Little, we prefer his ' Ancestors of Maximilian,' No. 174, a study, almost in monochrome, well drawn and skil- fully painted, and possessing more spirit than his other works. C. J. Lauder is represented by several drawings of Continental interiors, of which ' The Cathedral, Antwerp,' No. 7, is a very good example. Executed in pale grey tones, which are cleverly empliasised by the darks surrounding the altar-piece and the colour of the stalls and pulpit. ' The Cottar's Kitchen,' No. 216, and ' The New Dress,' No. 237, by Mr. Tom M'Ewan, are interior motives, prompted by tlie sympathetic feeling for the sentiment of home and child life so strong in the artist. While always having something to say, and never wanting in vitality, a lack of technical ability in his work often seems to hinder him in giving expression to a more definite and perfect artistic rendering in the completeness of his pictures. Hung in a prominent place is the ' Solway Sands,' No. 155, by Mr. A. K. Brown. The sky is evidently the motive of the picture, and while possessing a certain sweetness, is thin in colour, very flat, and completely out of tone with the landscape, which should be much darker. The cattle and figures introduced in the distance are rather pottering, and lacking in artistic intention in the result.
' Old Bridge of Dee,' No. 157, by Mr. William Young, is a small drawing painted with evident appreciation for the architectiu-al structure and feeling of the old bridge. His ' Auld Ayr — TJie Twa Brigs,' No. 4, is slightly black and mannered in colour and lacking in subtlety. It is perhaps wise to remember that painting portraits of places is not art, artistic motive and impulse being of vital importance.
Among other exhibitors are Messrs. T. A. Aitken, who has several drawings, of which ' Glencoe,' No. 242, is powerful and spirited, though rather lacking in refinement of colour ; Alex. Macbride, who has .several very sAveet and pleasant drawings ; J. G. Laing, Wellwood Rattray ; R. W. Allan, whose ' Dordrecht Cathedral ' is very interesting, bright, and sparkling in colour ; Andrew Black, Jos. Henderson, David Murray, J. Denovan Adam, and P. Macgregor Wilson, and others.
The general eflfect of the rooms has been made o very pleasant by a skilful scheme of decoration.
Above the pictures is a frieze of grey canvas, stamped with a design, rich and bold in form, and most simple and artistic in effect. George Henry.
