Correggio: Albrecht Diner: Mabuse.—9. The Georgian age: portraits of Madame de Pompadour and Benedict XIV.: the House of Hanover: Gainsborough's portraits of Hurd, Fischer, Colonel St. Leger, Hoppner's Lord Moira: the West gallery: West's merits and defects :the Death of Wolfe :the collection as a whole.
I
If Hampton Court had not its unique charms of situation, or its delights of architecture and building, it would still be visited for its art collections. Tapestry, china, pictures are here which the connoisseur spends many an hour over, and which characteristically recall important periods of English taste. The china itself might give excuse for a volume to an enthusiast. Queen Mary II.'s beautiful Delft jars and bowls, and ornaments of all kinds, the relics of her "Delft ware closett," still add harmonious colour to the dark walls of galleries and little chambers. In the Queen's gallery are some charming specimens of the best Delft work, with the royal arms and cypher of William and Mary, the motto "Je maintiendray," and emblems of the three kingdoms. A case in George II.'s private chamber has some exquisite Oriental china. But it is impossible now to linger over this. Two special collections of pictures have been already spoken of—the "Beauties" of Lely and the "Beauties" of Kneller. The other pictures need a further examination. Before them a word may be said about the tapestries, which represent almost every period of the manufacture from
