PORTRAIT GALLERY OF ILLUSTRIOUS AND EMINENT PERSONAGES OF THE NINETEENTH CENTURY; WITH MEMOIRS, BY WILLIAM JERDAN, ESQ. F.S.A. M.R.S.L. M.R.A.S. ETC. DEDICATED, BY PERMISSION, TO THE KING. VOL. III. LONDON: FISHER, SON, & JACKSON, NEWGATE STREET. 1832. ADDRESS. OUR Third Volume of the NATIONAL POTRAIT GALLERY is now before the Public. On presenting its precursor, we said, "It does not consist with the spirit of a work which is only anxious to deserve well, that it should resort to professions, or have recourse to that system of boast, which is but too much employed to catch popularity. We trust, however, it will not be considered unbecoming in us to state, that we have spared no pains, to make our biographies correct and authentic-no endeavours, to procure and perpetuate the best class of portraits. To the former, every means of inquiry within our power has been directed; to the latter, the employment of distinguished artists has, in almost every individual instance, effectually contributed." We now appeal, with strengthened confidence, to the proof that this assurance was not given without the practice and the purpose 'of carrying it truly and fully into effect. We appeal to our last twelve month's production, for portraits of the greatest individual interest, for works of the highest art, and for memoirs, if brief, characterized by a degree of originality and authenticity, we will proudly assert, unexampled in the difficult and delicate record of personal contemporary history. And we are equally proud of the result; of the largely increased and increasing value attached to our publication. In assuming its title, we were well aware that we must do much to earn it; and it is delightful to us to learn, from every concurrent testimony, that we have, within three years, established it as, indeed, a NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY. Neither diligence nor expenditure will be spared, in endeavours to make it still more deserving. |