eyes from so strange and novel a picture. At length the deputy, with unblushing familiarity, walked up to Wilkes, and asked whether he did not think that his night-cap became him?"Oh! yes, Sir," replied Wilkes, "but it would look much better if it was pulled quite over your face."

a white cotton night-cap. Wilkes, who was discourse upon the Gospels, and the Maso-encountering every variety of danger, certainly a high-bred man, and never accus-retic analysis of the verses and paragraphs. suffering, and fearful incident, to the getomed to such exhibitions, could not take his The Apostolic writings are also found in neral impressions of the new and the two volumes, upon vellum. These four vo- wonderful. lumes, in all probability, compose the only perfect copy of the New Testament in EuThe information, which we may truly rope, written in the language of Abyssinia.say every reader is desirous to obtain on Another volume contains the constitu- these points, is scattered over many and tions of the Apostles. Another has the title expensive works; some of them old and of Synaxar, and is an history of the Saints scarce, others more modern, but still not venerated in Abyssinia. all within the means of the middle classes. To these the present publication is in itself a library, and a library of more unmixed entertainment we never visited.

Boswell was speaking of some Scotch nobleman, who was very fond of planting, and had ornamented his domain with some very fine and beautiful forest trees. "Where could this possibly be?" said Wilkes; "I travelled through the country with an American servant, and after we had visited various places in different parts of Scotland, I inquired of him what his general opinion was of the country?" "Oh Sir!" replied the American," it is finely cleared."

We shall close these selections for the

The Arabic manuscripts are numerous and valuable.

It may not, perhaps, be impertinent to subjoin, that among Bruce's manuscripts is a Coptic manuscript on Papyrus.

It was found among the ruins of Thebes, in Egypt. It is written in the Sahidic or Theban dialect of the Coptic, that is, of the language of the Pharaohs. The above manuscript has been described by Dr. Woide.

The original plan of a collection of this kind was formed by the lamented Dr. Leyden, whose "Historical and PhilcSettlements of Europeans in Northern sophical Sketch of the Discoveries and and Western Africa," was published in Edinburgh in 1799. This valuable work met with the success due to its merit, and led the way to an undertaking on an enlarged scale, to embrace the history of the entire Continent as far as European On his first return from his remote and ally wrote a part of this work, when his intelligence reached. Dr. Leyden actuprotracted travels, he had some questions proposed to him on the subject of the Bible labours were interrupted by that voyage in the language of Abyssinia, by a venerable The intense anxiety felt by all classes to India, which, to the grief of many adand highly distinguished member of our of men in regard to the discoveries on miring friends and the loss of his country, Church, which he answered very satisfac- the Continent of Africa, recently stimu- never had a return. Upon this foundatorily. He afterwards voluntarily undertook lated by expeditions sent out expressly tion the present able Editor seems to to translate literally a number of proposed by Government, as well as by individual have proceeded, and, we are informed, texts from the Pentateuch of the Abyssinian efforts to explore these marvel-abounding has incorporated Dr. Leyden's researches Bible, in order that they might be compared with the English version. He did do regions; the romantic and perilous ad- with his own extended production, which, this, but they were unfortunately mislaid ventures of the travellers; the tragical besides including the whole known hisamong his numerous papers. They, how- termination of some of their lives; the tory of Africa, traces the progress of disever, are most probably in existence, and great natural phenomenon of the Niger, covery on that Continent from the earmay hereafter appear. and the ardent curiosity attached to the liest ages whence records are derived. A very ingenious clergyman, who was secret fate of that mighty river; the exalso well versed in the Oriental languages, traordinary moral and social condition of limits as ours, it is impossible to afford It will at once be seen that within such made a Catalogue Raisonné of Bruce's manu- the inhabitants, their manners and cus-tests of the manner in which this excelscript library, which of itself would be very acceptable to the learned world. The manu- toms; the mystery of African geography; lent compilation is arranged, of the skill scripts, however, it is to be hoped, will not the vague reports of great cities and with which information is abridged while be permitted to remain buried in Scotland, strange empires in the interior; in short, all its essentials are preserved, and of the but, as they are of the greatest importance to the elucidation of Scripture, will hereafter be deposited in some of the public libraries

HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF DISCOpresent with some extremely interesting VERIES AND TRAVELS IN AFRICA. By information relative to literature. Of the late JOHN LEYDEN, M. D. enlarged Bruce, the traveller, with whom the Sexa- and completed to the present Time, &c. genarian corresponded on a friendly foot-by HUGH MURRAY, ESQ. F. R. S. E. ing, it is statedCo. Edinburgh, and Longman and Co. 2 vols. 8vo. Published by Constable and London, price 27s.

of this country.

The following are some of these manuscripts:

The Old Testament in five volumes, which do not contain the Psalms, but have a copy of Ludolph's Æthiopic Psalter.

every thing which can excite the human
mind, seems to be combined in order to
throw a surpassing degree of interest over
all the branches of this subject.

pervading taste and diligence which in these volumes connects the original Author with the patient Editor. We shall only briefly state, that it fully performs We know of nothing within the circle what it proposes; and lays before us a of science at this period more stimu- vivid map of Africa from the era of Egyplating than the state of Africa; and we tian learning to this good hour of British are not surprised to find that there are brave and persevering inquiry. The This was transcribed for Mr. Bruce at Gon- no publications more generally attractive contents of the work are principally the dar, by scribes of the country, upon vellum. than travels into that quarter of the following:-The discoveries of the anThe character is clear and beautiful, and there are marginal variations. Many of the globe. Indeed, travels are always a fa- cients, commencing with the Phenicians books begin and end with a prayer; and as vourite species of reading; and it is not under Necho; and passing through Grethere was never before in Europe a perfect extraordinary that they should augment cian, Roman, and Arabian expeditions, copy of the Ethiopic Scriptures, means their claims upon the public, when they to that period when the darkness of Eushould be taken to supply the Christian lead us with all the attractions of fiction rope began to be illuminated by the reChurch in Africa with a complete copy of the through the regions of reality, and bring vival of literature. The voyages, settleThe fourth volume contains the book of to delight our minds not only the contem- ments, and travels of the Portuguese are Enoch. There is moreover the New Testa-plation of nature and humanity in all the next sources whence intelligence is ment in Æthiopic, in two volumes, also upon their strangest forms and appearances, drawn. To these succeed the discovebut obtained by an agency which adds ries of the French as detailed by Janne

Bible.

vellum.

The first volume contains a preliminary the piquancy of individual intrepidity, quin, Brue, Adanson, Saugnier, Brisson,

&c. The early English adventurers, | After they had concluded this ceremony, God, quite restored. On the 20th, also, I Thompson, Jobson, Stibbs, &c. &c. are they came, on a sigu from me, nearer to the looked for Mulgrave's Islands in all direc then ransacked for their stores, and the ship without the least fear, but had no kind tions, but did not find them, and convinced facts gathered by the African Institution of provisions to sell, except some unripe myself that they must be laid down wrong cocoa-nuts. Before an hour had passed, the on the map. As the ship wanted some reare again extracted to fill this portion of Rurik was surrounded by thirty-six boats. pairs, and I was obliged to hasten to KamtsMr. Murray's work. The cries of the savages were so loud, that chatka, I gave up looking, with the resoluApproaching nearer our own times, we on board the ship were obliged to halloo tion to solve the riddle next year. poor Park affords copious supplies, and to one another to be heard. In every boat On the 21st of May we again discovered the productions of Browne, Horneman, sat also an old man, who seemed to be a some low islands; on the shore of which Nicholls, and Jackson, are laid under kind of commander, who had no other busi- a great many people were assembled, who contribution to perfect the picture. The ness than to hold up a palm branch, the seemed to look at our ship with astonishwell-known sign of peace. Only these old ment. interesting narratives of Adams and Ri- men wore their thumb-nails two inches long, out doubt an invitation for us. In the afterOn many places we saw fires, withley complete the matter of the first vo- probably to signify that they belong to high-noon, on the leeward of these islands, we lume; thus embracing the discoveries of er classes. In vain I endeavoured to get them again discovered some new islands to the the ancients, the discoveries during the to come on board the ship-none of them South. On the following morning a boat middle ages, and the discoveries and tra- ventured to do it, nor would they permit came. The savages in it showed us fruit, vels in the interior to the latest period. their subjects. As I saw that no provisions and invited us by signs to come on shore; The second volume contains the travels barter for some of their things; the sale was ship than was necessary to speak convewere to be had, I permitted my people to but would not venture to come nearer to the in the maritime countries of Africa; in very brisk, and the noise redoubled: of all niently with us; though we took consideraAbyssinia from Covilham and Alvares to our goods they set the greatest value on ble pains to entice them to us. We hoisted Bruce and Salt; in Egypt collected from large nails: before we showed them these, out a boat, into which Lieutenant SchischDenon, Hamilton, and Legh; in Barbary they would not for any price part with their mareff, the naturalist Chamisso, and the from Keating, Ali Bey, Macgill, Bla-lances; but as soon as the nails were shown painter Choris, got, and took some presents quiere, and Tully; in Sierra Leone from them, every one eagerly gave his lance for a with them. At first the savages suffered them Beaver and the African Reports; in nail. These islanders may be compared in to come, without fear, close to them; and even Southern Africa from the intelligent Bar- Marquesas Islands, but the latter have much the boat. But they suddenly went away, row, Lichtenstein, &c.; in the East from more pleasing countenances. It is remark- throwing some fruit and a very handsome Vasco de Gama, &c. &c. When to all able, that the Pearhyn Islanders do not mat into our boat. A second boat came from these we add admirable geographic and tattoo their bodies, but, instead of this, the island and joined the first. It seemed general views of Africa from the best scratch them all over. On many of them as if they consulted what to do, but their authorities-a clever abstract of the the-I saw bloody furrows crossing each other decision was not in our favour; for they ories respecting the Niger-a general view very irregularly over the whole body. The population of this island seems to be, in proof the natural history of the country portion to its extent, very considerable. A from the pen of Professor Jameson-and tempest gathered, the thunder roared, and a a general view of the moral and political violent wind and rain forced me to leave the state of that Continent, we are sure we island. The islanders seemed to be very shall have described the nature of a work sorry at our departure, and following us with which will procure us thanks for hideous cries for half an hour into the open pains, from all those who may be in-sea, clambered up the ship's side and atduced to peruse it on our report.

our

stature and size with the inhabitants of the seemed inclined to let the officer come into

tempted to pull out some nails. This obliged me to have a musket fired over their heads. They perhaps had never before heard a EXTRACT from the Journal of the Circumnavi- musket shot, for scarcely did they hear the gator OTTO VON KOTZEBUE, sent to his report when they threw themselves into the Father. Communicated by the latter-water and dived under. After a while they Kamtschatka, 10th June 1816.

(Continued.)

appeared again with frightened faces, but
soon recovered themselves, reached their
boats, and began their work anew, till our
departure obliged them to quit us.

would not permit our boat to come near to them, and kept themselves at a considerable distance from the ship; but gave us to understand, by signs, that we might follow them on shore, where we should be supplied with fruit. Unfortunately I could not fulfil their wish, as every moment was precious to me.

The construction of their boats and their dexterity in managing them are remarkable. The boat has only one sail of finely-plaited mats, and with it they turn and guide the vessel with a skill which would do honour to Europeans. Nine or ten men were in each; and on the left sat the commander, on a raised seat covered with coloured mats. The order which prevailed in the boats, and in On the 30th we saw the woody Pearhyns general the sensible behaviour of these Islands, which the rising smoke showed to islanders distinguishes them very much to be inhabited. They seem to me to have My intention was to cross the Equator at their advantage. Their faces bear strong great resemblance to the Coral Islands, but the 180th degree; but the incessant calms, resemblance to the negroes, the colour is do not rise much above the surface of the accompanied with the most oppressive heat, pretty black. Their dress consists of two water: they in like manner constitute a induced me to take a more northerly course, mats, braided and ornamented with much chain almost circular, united by coral-reefs, to reach a latitude in which the monsoons art; one of which is before, and the other which form accordingly in the middle some are more steady. I intended to examine behind, tied around their waist and hanging thing like a basin, into which it seems im- the North part of Mulgrave's Islands. On down to the knee. On the neck they wore possible to penetrate on account of the reefs. the 19th of May I crossed, according to my handsomely-worked ornaments, made of Their woods consist chiefly of palm trees. calculation, the chain, but saw no land: mother-of-pearl; and on their heads, red or As it was late, I tacked during the night. then sought for them more to the West, but yellow wreaths of feathers. Early on the 1st of May a great many ca- to my astonishment could not find them The passage between these two island noes rowed to us, each of which contained there; and then steered again towards the groups is two (German) miles broad, and about twelve or thirteen men. I lay to, in North. During a sudden gust of wind, which safe. The second group, which is quite like hopes that they would bring me some pro- tore some sails and ropes, I received a blow the first, seemed to me to be uninhabited, visions; but this was not their intention. on the head which threw me down sense. neither did I see any cocoa-trees. As they They approached the Rurik within about less. In about a quarter of an hour I again are not marked upon any map, I take them the distance of 20 fathoms, and then left off came to myself, but still remained delirious. to be a new discovery, and give them the rowing; and all of them began in concert a The surgeon was afraid that I should never names of Kutusoff and Suwaroff. They lie very melancholy song, which they accom-recover my senses. I remained so some in latitude 11° 49′ 46′′ and in longitude panied with the most frightful grimaces. hours. On the following day I was, thank 189° 54'

The following extract from an American Paper (the National Advocate) which arrived this week, gives an additional interest to this. narrative, by conferring political, as well as scientific, importance on Russian voyages. "The Russians, whom we have imagined to be a heavy and dull people, without spirit or enterprise, are giving us daily proofs to the contrary. They have taken possession of one of the islands in the Pacific Ocean, not far from the Sandwich Islands, and have already fortified the same. They will now derive the advantages of the whaling trade, one of the most profitable and necessary pursuits for the Russians, who consume great quantities of oil. We shall shortly find that nation, with their resources and active government, in every part (To be concluded in our next.)

Editor! I am afraid you have not welled, and maddened; but in vain! the considered either your difficulties or your pestilent tormentors were irremoveable. dangers." Ira quæ tegitur nocet;" but His cries availed not; they filled his comfort ye! this is only one half of your mouth and choaked his throat: his efforts troubles. You review new books, forsooth; were fruitless; they blinded his eyes, and every censure makes an author and his clustered round his brain, and stung him partizans your foes. You criticise the to distraction. You and I alone saw, Drama; have you forgotten, or did you and pitied, and tried to save him; but never attend to what Shakespeare says of alas, our work of pain and danger was the Players' good words, "After your not crowned with the success due to our death you were better have a bad epi- humanity. It is true we drowned off the taph, than their ill report while you live;" persecutors, but at the same time we you will be pilloried in a farce, carica- almost drowned the persecuted; and tured by Matthews, and transfixed by as when at last he was freed from his many thousand shafts of ridicule as the hellish periwig, the torments it had bewit of modern dramatic writers can sup-queathed, like the shirt of Nessus, were ply. You also criticise the Arts;-artists so intolerable that it was mercy which are even more irritable than the "irrita- sped the mortal bullet through the heart bile genus vatum :" you will look well on a of the victim. Sign-post! You have Sketches of Society LETTER FROM THE EDITOR OF THE LITERARY and Manners; venture not to censure or

of the world."

Very-ORIGINAL CORRESPOND

ENCE.

GAZETTE TO HIMSELF.

Need I apply this remembrance of our early life to you, in whose fate I take so reprove, or there will be no society for warm an interest? No! I leave it to you, and your manners may be practised yourself, who are just as able to feel as Though this is the first letter in solitude. Your very negatives will I am to enforce its appositeness. I have ever wrote to you, I trust you will ex-embarrass and plague you as much as only to assure you, that if, in spite of cuse the familiarity of the address, and your positives. You avoid Politics; but my warning, you determine to persevere

My Dearest Friend,

the more especially as I can assure you I hear as many condemn this abstinence in your mad attempt, you shall have my

"Vive sine invidia, mollesque inglorius annos Exige" We will then be happy with one another,

I am

Your Sincere Friend

and Unchangeable Well-wisher, The Editor of the Literary Gazette. Literary Gazette Office, 267, Strand. 30th July, 1817.

Adieu.

E. L. G.

it can boast of greater truth than most as a blank in your publication, as approve best aid, and the ardent co-operation of "Dears" at the top of epistolary corre- of it for keeping out debasing humours. my friends. But oh, my dear Sir, be spondence. But I hear you exclaim, Why Every pseudo-poet, whose unfledged muse otherwise advised. take the trouble of writing to me, since you affront by not admitting her eyases in mortal ha❤ you may at any private time let me know to your nest, will hold you what you desire in person? To this my tred. If your literary intelligence is not a for you may be assured that answer is, that I am of opinion a formal string of puffs, publishers will abominate and public communication will have more as much as authors abhor you - they weight on your mind; and since I don't will print against you gratis (a rare grudge the trouble, you need not grudge practice with them) all that revenge will the postage between us. write, and you had better be broiled, To come to the point then; I am crelike St. Bartholomew, than endure these dibly informed and believe, that you have tortures. If you do not compose paneundertaken the responsible office of edit-gyrics on the wholesome common-place P.S. I desire my best compliments ing the Literary Gazette; purporting to of de mortuis nil nisi bonum, abstain, as may be presented to Tom and Dick-I fill a chasm in the over-stocked periodical you value your miserable life, from bio- hope you have succeeded, as indeed you literature of this scribbling era, and to graphy; though the evil that men do ought, with Aldeborontiphoscophorniolay as it were a moving panorama of the lives after them, there would be no dis- but this is no time for private matters. learning, arts, sciences, political history, cretion, which is the better part of valour, and moral and intellectual and ornamen- in allowing its vitality in your pages. In tal advance of the age, continually before fine, your case is desperate, and if one your readers." Audentes fortuna juvat!" bard exclaimed, but my good fellow, the strength of Hercules, united to the talents of the admirable Creighton, and the calculative Ten thousand greater perils diddle powers of the American Boy, would not The ass who doth with goose-quill meddle. suffice for the execution of so vast a task. I remember, and well may you, a sorI am afraid you have over-rated your rowful sight-a hive of bees, with an capabilities, as my talkative friend in the infernally mischievous Queen Semiramis Chapter Coffee-House calls them. Nay, at their head, took it into their fancy to even if you possess the allies you muster form a settlement on the jowl of an on the parade of your Prospectus, will honest, unsuspecting mastiff, who was the confederation be firm and united in lying asleep in the sun, dreaming no the field of the Work? Can you trust in doubt ubi mel ibi apes; but he was your Regulars and rely on your Volun- dreadfully mistaken, for the Philistines teers? If not, the Lord have mercy upon were soon upon his capital, where there your rash soul, for you will soon have a was no honey. The poor dog howled, host of enemies. Ah! Mr. Editor! Mr. shook his ears, scampered, rolled, foam

"Ah me! what perils do environ
The man who meddles with cold iron!"

ORIGINAL POETRY.

You may with greater truth add in agony, of Love," &c. The idea appears to us to be as

We are indebted for the following very sweet Poem to Mrs. Henry Rolls, author of the "Home beautiful as new, and the composition worthy of the subject.

SMILES.

What is that smile-that o'er the cheek
Of artless, blooming childhood strays ;---
That revels in the dimple sleek,—
That charms the mother's tender gaze?
"Tis the bright sun of April's morn,

That rises with unsullied ray;
Nor marks the clouds, that swift are borne.
To wrap in shades the future day!
What is that soft-that languid smile,-
That mingles with a tender sigh;-
Light spreads the timid blush the while,
And sweetly sinks the melting eye

"Tis the bright dew-drop on the rose, Sweet remnant of the early shower, That will its ripened leaves unclose,

And to full fragrance spread the flower!
What is that smile-whose rapturous glow
Passion's impetuous breath inspires,
Whilst Pleasure's gaudy blossoms blow,
And the eye beams with guilty fires?
'Tis the Volcano's baleful blaze,

That pours around a fatal light ;-
Whose victim dies, that stops to gaze;
Whence safety is but found in flight!
What is that sad, that transient smile—
That dawns upon the lip of woe ;-
That checks the deep-drawn sigh awhile,
And stays the tear, that starts to flow?
"Tis but a veil cast o'er the heart,

When youth's gay dreams have pass'd away; When joy's faint lingering rays depart,

And the last gleams of hope decay!
What is that bright, that fearful smile-
Quick flashing o'er the brow of care,
When fades each fruit of mental toil,

And nought remains to check despair?
"Tis the wild lurid lightening's gleam,
Swift bursting from a stormy cloud ;-
That spreads a bright destructive beam,-
Then sinks into its sable shroud!
What is that smile-calm, fixt at last,

On the hoar brow of reverend age,
When the world's changing scenes are past,
And nearly clos'd life's varied page?
"Tis the rich glowing western beam,
Bright spreading o'er the darkening skies;
That shows by its mild parting gleam,
A cloudless-heavenly-morn shall rise!
Dunchurch, July, 1817. M. ROLLS.

EPITAPH

IN CARSHALTON CHURCH-YARD.

Tom Humphreys is here by grim Death beguil'd,
Who never did harm to man, woman, or child;
And since without foe none yet e'er was known,
Poor Tom was nobody's foe, but his own:
Lie light on him, Earth, for none would than he
(Tho' heavy his bulk) trip it lighter on thee.

Died Sept. 4, 1742. Aged 44 years.

THE FINE ARTS.

LAST SUPPER; by LEONARDO DA VINCI, from

the CHARTREUX at PAVIA.

In our last Number we mentioned the exhibition, in Pall Mall, of this splendid work, which we now proceed to describe and examine. The subject is the Feast or Passover of the Last Supper, in which we see Jesus Christ seated at table with the twelve Apostles:-the text is,

"But behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me, is with

me on the table."-Luke xxii. 21.

When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, Verily, I say unto you that

beauty of its design, the exquisite air of the that in more instances than one the Mi-
heads, the grand simplicity of the draperies, lanese connoisseurs were mistaken in as-
and notices a curious circumstance that St. cribing to his pupils the authentic paintings
John has five fingers on one hand:-The pic- of their celebrated instructor.
ture must have been repainted at this period, Thus several have been given to Salaino,
for Richardson in 1726-7 speaks of all the and others to Luini, though the former had
Apostles on the left of Christ as very faint, not powers for the execution of such im-
and those on the right as entirely oblite- mortal scenes, and the latter was more re-
rated:-Barry in 1770 states that it was being markable for his sweet delineation of female
repaired, i. e. spoiled; but there was still softness than for grandeur of design and
enough of the truth, expression and free composition. Much of this confusion is
pencilling of the master to excite his enthu- attributable to the multitude of imitators
siasm. The present picture is, on the con- whom the merits and glory of Leonardo
trary, in fine preservation. In its dimensions caused to spring up; but we cannot think
and design it is a transcript of the work to that even the most successful of them could
which we have just alluded, displaying how- send such a picture as this is from their
ever several variations in parts which in our pallet. In the presumption then, that it
favour of its being the work of the same cal artist, but almost entirely by his hand,
opinion convey the strongest argument in was not only of the time of this philosophi-
hand, though in its early history it was we shall proceed to the history and details
ascribed to Mark Oggionno, a scholar of L. of this admirable Cenacolo.
da Vinci. In the picture at Milan the head of "It had been long in the possession of
Christ was unfinished' (according to a tradi- the Carthusians in their convent at Pavia,
tion because the painter could not express (says the Descriptive Catalogue) when on
his own sublime idea of the Saviour); on the suppression of that order, and the sale
the canvas it is finished; and there are also of their effects in 1793, it became the pro-
some alterations in the costume as well as perty of a citizen of Milan, the actual owner
in the arrangements of the table-there is, of it." Lanzi declares that it supplies the
for example, a dish of fish in the Milan pic- loss of the original; Santogostini in 1671
ture, but in that of Pavia only the Paschal ascribes it to Oggianno, and says it is as
Lamb. It does not appear probable that a beautiful as that at Milan; Baldinucci,
pupil, however eminent, of so venerated a Scotti, and recently the Abbé Guillon in a
master would have ventured in copying to dissertation read to the French Institute,
make these innovations; and were the head deliver similar opinions of its surpassing
of the Redeemer equal to the genius of beauty. The latter amateur endeavours to
Leonardo, we should have little difficulty establish that it was painted for Francis I.
in persuading ourselves that the whole, or at (in whose arms the artist died in 1520,) and
least all the chief parts of the picture were lost at the battle of Pavia, where "all was
executed by him. It is upon this Head alone lost except honour:" but the reasoning is
that our doubts hang; for though the ex- rather not improbable than convincing, and
pression of the God-Man" troubled in spi- we can see no ground for discrediting the
rit" is exquisitely fine, the features want idea that the copy of Ecouen may not as
not only sublimity and dignity, but even well have been executed for his royal pa-
beauty and grace. Is it then an improbable tron. That it is only 16 feet 18 inches long,
supposition-that this copy, with perhaps the by 8 feet in height, is no argument to the
unimportant parts which were assigned to contrary-the difficulty of safely conveying
his scholars, was the performance of the a picture of about 26 feet and a half, by 13
master himself, and that, as at Milan, he left and a half (which the original and this of the
the head of Christ in a state not to satisfy Chartreux are), may well account for a
his own inspired conception? As for its smaller scale being adopted for France; that
being the Pastici of Oggianno, we cannot is, supposing the work to have been finished
subscribe to that opinion, though supported in Italy.

at Milan. From all that we ever read of

this artist, he was incapable of producing so
great a work; and it has been ascertained

But after all, agreeable and interesting as are these researches and conjectures to the lovers of the art, the main objects for considerations and sources of delight rest in the "Leonardo (says Bernardo Zenole his internal excellence of the pictures themfriend) avendo dipinto tutti gli Apostoli, fece selves, by whomsoever painted or touched Giacomo maggiore et il minore ile tanta belezza into perfection. L. da Vinci was the cone maesta, che volendo poi far Christo, mai non necting link between the Gothic and the potè dar compimento e perfezione e quella Augustan ages of painting; or rather he was santa faccia, con tutto ch' egli fosse singolarissimo, onde cosi disperato, non vi potendo far the genius who broke the Gothic chain, altro, se ne andò a consigliarsi con Bernardo and poured all the truth of nature over the Zenole," &c.; and Zenole advising him to leave divinest creations of imaginative power. It is well known to every Artist and ad- the head of Christ unfinished, by which it would Oil painting was in its infancy when he mirer of the Arts, that the masterpiece of appear more divine than the most finished of produced these sublime subjects; and when Leonardo da Vinci was this subject, and the Apostles, Leonardo left it in that state, and we are told of the deadness or the violety painted upon the wall of the Church of the the St. James's consequently the most finished tints of his colouring, we refer to the era' in Dominicans, now we believe of the Madonna and exquisite portraits in the picture. del Grazie, in Milan. This sublime compo- says that the head of Judas was left imperfect Perugino the disciple of Verrocchio, from A similar tradition of a more amusing kind 1 L. Da Vinci was at the same time with sition has not been able to resist the ravages till a countenance sufficiently villainous could whom he acquired correctness of design. Verof time, though within the century it has be met with for an original. The Prior of the rocchio was the first who took a plaster cast often been the theme of criticism and pane- Dominicans, having offended the painter, sat of the human countenance, about 50 years gyric. Mr. Cochin in 1757 dwells on the for the portrait!!!

one of you shall betray me."-John xiii. 21.

after oil painting was discovered.

I

which he lived for the imperfections of any last of all on this side is Philip, who seems pleasure, the fish which receives from Christ mechanical process that has failed to pre- to be under a similar uncertainty, and bends consecration. St. Jerome, an old man with serve his colours for the admiration of forward to have his indistinct perceptions a most expressive countenance, stauds by posterity in all the freshness and propriety negatived or confirmed. the side of the mother, reading to her out which we cannot question they originally On the left of the Saviour is St. Thomas, of a book. She seems to turn her attention possessed. his face strongly expressive of horror and from him, in order to observe the children. But while there are those who disparage indignation;-next him the zealous Thad- In the angel is the perfection of heavenly him in this respect, the sentiment of the deus, pressing forward to be informed who is purity and confidence. All this is so beauworld is unanimous upon his extraordinary the monster of wickedness that could be- tiful, so grand, so admirable, that one cantalents. Rubens speaks in raptures of his tray so blessed a Master:-Simon protesting not tear one's self from it. Desnoyer is to rare union of imagination and judgment, a his innocence completes the group of three engrave this magnificent chef d'œuvre, and praise which has been accorded by succeed-turning to the center; while St. Matthew, St. doubt not will give us a faithful represening generations. Other, and the greatest Andrew, and James the younger, are grouped tation of the admirable original. authorities, with equal enthusiasm, dwell on the other way, but nevertheless contributing It is well known that the finest works of Tithe correctness of his design, the judicious perfectly to the grand unity of action which tian, who was the favorite painter of Philip II. disposition of his figures, the nature and distinguishes this sublime picture. are in the Escurial. The picture which Joseph force of his action, the wonders of his ex- We will not go into the minor charms of Buonaparte brought hither, and which is pression. He studied man deeply for his an address to the eye so potential as to ex- now under Bonnemaison's hands, is said to representations of humanity; and it is cite the deepest sensations of devotion and be one of the finest of them, and to be among the traits of his character handed awe. Were it an ordinary, or even (in the known in Germany from duplicates. It is down to us, that he attended executions to common acceptation) an extraordinary pic-called "La Venus." The subject is however acquire from these dreadful realities the ture, we could dilate upon the admirable a very different one. Philip II. is in his power of delineating the strongest emotions distribution of the light, the grand simpli- garden, playing upon an organ, and turns and passions of mankind. A painful school, city of the draperies which give the utmost his head towards his mistress the Princess but, if we may judge by what he has ac-effect to that light, the skill displayed as Eboli, who is lying behind him on a couch, complished, one the most impressive in its well in the foreground as in the perspective, naked, and amusing herself with a little lessons! and other beauties; but we trust we have said enough to excite that interest with which so matchless an Exhibition ought to inspire a British public.

PAINTINGS

child. The last is making a dog dance on
best works of this master.
the mother's lap. It is said to be one of the

PROCEEDINGS OF LEARNED
SOCIETIES.

dog without perceiving her friend. The The picture which has seduced us into gracefulness of her position, the charm, the these remarks, represents Jesus in the agoexpression of voluptuousness, are inexpresBizing inoment of denouncing the faithless sibly beautiful, and true to nature. On the disciple who betrayed him. He occupies the flight to France, the chest in which this centre of the canvas, and there is a distance picture was packed fell into the water, and between him and the nearest Apostle on Formerly in the Escurial, now in the Paint- when it was unpacked at Paris it was so each side, which forces the eye to rest at ing Rooms of M. Bonnemaison, at Paris. covered with saltpetre, that the colours were once upon the principal character. The The largest of the six admirable pictures, not to be distinguished. All the painters countenance we have already said is exqui-by the happy repair of which the able painter despaired of saving and repairing it: when sitely expressive of the bitterness with which Bonnemaison acquires so much merited an experienced chemist proposed a method the guilt of a follower has filled his soul; praise, is a Christ bearing the Cruss, (la which perfectly succeeded, so that the picbut the features are far from answering our pamuison, ou portement de la Croix) by beauty. The 6th picture (by Murillo) is a ture is now entirely restored to its pristine expectation. The attitude is incomparably Raphael. Next the Transfiguration it is fine-the arms seem to assert in the mildest considered as his greatest and best compo the family consists of a father, mother, and Spanish family, as expressive as life itself; manner the incontestable truth of what has sition; yet as this picture is not yet repaired just been said; the very hands affirm it as one cannot judge of the harmony and effect of divine origin, while the inclination of the of the whole, but only admire single parts, head attests the sorrows of the man. and these are infinitely grand and beautiful. The godlike quiescency which at the same Christ sinks under the weight of the cross; time lifts the Messiah above human feelings, but it is only his human nature which sufis rendered indescribably effective by its con- fers; a divine energy and dignity beam in trast with the varied vehemence, anxiety, the expression of his features. On his right OXFORD, 26th JULY.-On Thursday week, and passion of the Apostles. Each seems hand kneel Maria, John, and the three holy Mr. H. A. Pye, of Merton College; Mr. to speak, and the spectator can understand women (a most admirable group) plunged Charles Nutt, of Corpus Christi College; their language as if he were an auditor. We in profound affliction. On the other side, in Mr. Roger Bird, of Queen's College; and cannot in this Number enter so fully as the the back ground, there are twelve or fifteen Mr. Frederick Cox, of Lincoln College, were subject merits into this astonishing exercise Roman soldiers, each marked by the ex-elected Demies of Magdalen College; and of the magic of the pencil. Upon the right pression of his peculiar feeling. of Christ is John overwhelmed with anguish : on Friday the Rev. Thomas Loveday, M. The second painting, by Raphael, known A.; the Rev. Thomas Samuel Smith, M. A.; -next him Judas, whose profile is dark and under the name of La Perle, is the Madonna and Mr. George Galbraith Wratislaw, M.A.; ruffian-like; he is leaning on the table and with the two children, and St. Ann: a most were admitted Probationary Fellows of the has spilt the salt, a curious circumstance as pleasing composition, but not conceived or same Society. indicating the prevalence of this supersti- executed in the same great and noble style BERLIN, 8th, JULY.-On the 3d of this tion; the purse in his hand betokens him as the third, "The Visitation," or the fourth, month, the Royal Academy celebrated by a the steward of this holy association, and is called " La Vierge au Poisson." In the first public sitting, the anniversary of its founder not as may be supposed the sign and reward the pregnant Virgin presents her hand to Leibnitz. The class of History and Philology of his apostacy. On his right is Peter rising her niece Elizabeth. What innocence and resolved to offer a prize of 100 ducats for the with energy to inquire who can be so lost to maidenly modesty are expressed in the best historical and juristical account of the good as to deserve this accusation. St. Bar- countenance, and the whole figure of the proceedings of the Athenian courts of tholomew, as is imagined from the richness Holy Virgin? But nothing can exceed the justice, as well in public as in private of his garments, is the next in order, and ideal beauty of the last of these pictures. causes.-Mr. Bode read a memoir on the the finest example of colouring in the pic-Heavenly grace and divine dignity are ex- newly discovered planetary bodies, Ceres, ture: James the elder, the mortal cousin of pressed in the Madonna. The angel Ra- Pallas, Juno and Vesta; and produced a the Saviour, with terror on his countenance, phael has led the young Tobias to the child brass model shewing the true position of stretches as it were to ascertain beyond the Jesus. Tobias has fallen on his knee and their orbits in the solar system. M. Uhden doubt of sense, the accuracy of the horrible presents to the divine infant, fearfully in- read a memoir on the mortuary lists of the prediction which his ears have heard:-and deed, and timidly, but yet with childish ancient Etruscans.