persons like a winding-sheet.  Young virgins, according to custom, appeared in a state of nudity; many of them had wild flowers stuck behind their ears, and strings of beads, &c., round their loins; but want of clothing did not seem to damp their pleasure in the entertainment, for they appeared to enter into it with as much zest as any of their companions.  Of the different coloured tobes worn by the men, none looked so well as those of a deep crimson colour on some of the horsemen; but the clean white tobes of the Mohammedan priests, of whom not less than a hundred were present on the occasion, were extremely neat and becoming.  The sport terminated without the slightest accident, and the king’s dismounting was a signal for the people to disperse.

“We have here endeavoured, to the best of our ability, to describe an African horse-race, but it is impossible to convey a correct idea of the singular and fantastic appearance of the numerous groups of people that met our view on all sides, or to describe their animation and delight; the martial equipment of the soldiers and their noble steeds, and the wild, romantic, and overpowering interest of the whole mass.  Singing and dancing have been kept up all night, and the revellers will not think of retiring to rest till morning.”

* * * * *

FINE ARTS.

MR. HAYDON’S EXHIBITION.

Mr. Haydon has completed his Xenophon and the 10,000 first seeing the Sea from Mount Theches—­a brilliantly glowing page of Grecian heroism, and a splendid specimen of the highest order of historical painting.  It represents the celebrated retreat of the 10,000 valorous Greeks, with Xenophon at their head, whose only hope of release from one of the most perilous situations—­was to reach the sea.  The action of the picture is thus described by the artist: 

“This, of course, was accepted—­they altered their course, and, while the army was in full march over Mount Theches, the advanced guard, in coming to the top, came suddenly in view of a magnificent valley, with the SEA in the extreme distance, glittering along an extended coast, and mingling with the hazy horizon!

“The whole guard burst out into a furious shout of enthusiastic exultation the SEA! the SEA! was echoed along the whole army, below in the passes; Xenophon, from the uproar, thinking they were attacked, galloped forward with the cavalry;[1] but seeing the cause, joined in the shout!  The feeling was too powerful to be resisted—­men, women, and children, the veteran, the youth, the officer, the private, beasts of burden, cattle, and horses, broke up like a torrent that had burst a mountain rock, and rushed, headlong to the summit!

“As each, in succession, lifted his head up above the rocks, and really saw the SEA, nothing could exceed the affecting display of gratitude and enthusiastic rapture!—­some embraced, some cried like children, some stamped like madmen, some fell on their knees and thanked the gods, others were mute with gratitude, and stared as if bewildered!