FOREIGN NEWS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume II, Issue 94, 23 October 1852, Page 4

FOREIGN NEWS.

FRANCE. The President of France, and his intrigues with the great Continental powers to secure their approval of his assumption of an heridetary Imperial Crown, are fully exposed in a series of articles and official papers in the Times. It appears that Bussia, Austria, and Prussia have determined to abstain from any interference with the internal affairs of France, so long as the treaties of 1815, with respect to territorial boundaries, are observed. But that while these Powers are careless as to whether Louis Napoleon reigns by the title of President or Emperor, they do object to, and will not acknowledge him as hereditary Emperor by virtue of his descent from the Bonaparte family, or as inheriting the Empire as the heir of Napoleon ; neither will they consent to his making the Empire hereditary in his own family. This decision of the great powers has severely mortified Louis Napoleon. , It may, however, rouse the national pride of France in his favour. The celebrated Picture Gallery of Makshal Sodlt, acquired through plunder in Spain, and containing several of the chefd'mivres of Murillo, has been broken up and disposed of, the sale exciting immense interest. The Correspondent of the Times in Paris gives the following vivid description of the bidding for the " Conception of the Virgin," universally esteemed to be Murillo's master-piece. " The order of sale was. here interrupted for the purpose of allowing the great pictures of the day, four in number, to be disposed of, the first of which was the 'Conception of the Virgin,' by Murillo, 8 feet 6 inches in height, by 3 feet in width. This almost divine picture represents the Virgin in the act of" being carried up to heaven. Her golden hair floats on her shoulders, and her white robe gently swells in the breeze, a mantle of blue at the same time falling from her shoulders. Groups of angels and cherubim of extraordinary beauty sport around her in the most evident admiration, those below thronging closely together, while those above open their ronks, as if not in any way to conceal the glory shed around the ascending Virgin. All the writers on the Spanish school of painting agree in declaring this to be the chef d'amvre of Murillo ; and never, perhaps, did that great master attain to such sublimity of expression and such magnificent colouring. The biddings fully responded to the high character of this great work. The first bidding was 150,000f., but that price seemed so inadequate to the value of the picture, that offer after offer soon brought the price up to 400,000f. The

three great competitors up to this point were the Marquis of Hertford, an agent for the Queen of Spain, and another agent for the Emperor of Kussia. The biddings then continued with great spirit until they reached 500,000f., when an involuntary round of applause burst out at that sum being reached. At 528,0001". a pause ensued, but the biddings were again resumed, and, almost without a check, the great price of 580,000f. was reached. Here the gentleman for Spain, who had been apparently determined to have the picture, paused. He again, however, went on for a bidding or two more, when at last, on 586,0p0f. (£23,440) being offered by a gentleman in front of the auctioneer, the Spanish agent gave in, and the picture was knocked down amid loud cheers of admiration at such a price being given. But this applause became absolute enthusiasm when it was ascertained that the purchaser was 3VI. Nieuwerkerke, the director of :the National Museum. The crowd rushed forward, shaking him by the hand and cheering most heartily. The auctioneer then announced in due form, that the purchase was for the Museum of the Louvre, and the cheers redoubled. In fact, the delight appeared universal, and it was several minutes before the sale could proceed. Two other Murillos, one, 'St. Peter in Prison,' and the other, 'Jesus and John, children,'were purchased by M. Thurneyssen, the banker, for the Emperor of Russia, the price of the former being 151,000f., and of the latter 63,000f. ' The Christ carrying his Gross,' of Sebastian del Piombo, was also purchased by the same gentleman for the Emperor of Russia for4l,ooof. It is well known that the late Marshal had refused 80,000f. for this picture."