Page:Romance & Reality 3.pdf/181

Rh They are indications of wealth—articles of luxury—bought far more with reference to what others will think, than to what we ourselves will feel. A gentleman fills his gallery with paintings, and his sideboard with plate, on the same principle. Then, as to objects of art that attain the greatest popularity among us—which are they? Portraits of ourselves, our wives, children, brothers, uncles, nephews, nieces, and cousins. We like paintings of horses, bulls, dogs, &c.; or we like small scenes from common life—children, especially if they are naughty—and a set of breakfast or tea-things are irresistible. In sculpture, who will deny our preference for busts, or our passion for monuments? What are the casts which enjoy most plaster-of-Paris popularity? Napoleon in his cocked hat—the Duke of Wellington—Tam-o'Shanter and Souter Johnny—though even these yielded in attraction to china Madame Vestris or Liston as broom-girls." "The prettiest casts that ever found favour in our island eyes," added Lorraine, "were the reading and writing Cupids. People bought them out of compliment to their own little chubby cherubs. 'Pretty dears!' I once heard