tended to express the mast of a ship, and thereby symbolise naval enterprise and conquest, was the leading idea; which, whatever value it might have on the score of significancy alone, did not make much provision for beauty of form or richness of embellishment; and was, in some instances, so far from being at all improved upon, as to be rendered a meaner and uglier object than there was any occasion for. Those by the two Foggos were so far remarkable and conspicuous enough, as unartist-like in every respect as can well be imagined; so much so, that one would have taken them for the productions, not of painters, but of ship-carpenters. Not very much better was Pistrucci's conceit of a gigantic trident stuck in the portion of a sphere, with a gap cut out of the latter on one side for the purpose of putting there some figures and an inscription. That it would, if erected, have instantly been nicknamed the Trafalgar Toasting-fork, there can be no doubt; and although we hold such nicknames and comparisons in contempt (for what they chiefly prove is the vulgar association of ideas in those who indulge in them), we must own that in this instance the comparison would have been almost inevitable: the form selected too undisguisedly resembling, or rather being identical with, that of the undignified domestic implement just named. No art could possibly ennoble it, or overcome its insipidity and triviality; on the contrary, positive magnitude would merely serve to render the original littleness of the thing so magnified all the more striking and conspicuous. On occasions of this kind, what is pertinent as a poetical metaphor, is apt to prove a very impertinent will-o'the-wisp to an artist. Significancy of meaning is insufficient: excellent as it is in itself, it is too dearly purchased if it can be expressed only by what is itself insignificant as to form. After all, too, a trident is only a conventional sign, a sort of hieroglyphic, adumbrating as a mere type naval and maritime supremacy. Where symbols of this sort can be introduced so as to be ornamental accessories, gratifying both the eye and the imagination, their value is unquestionably very great; that huge trident, on the contrary, would have been a mere hieroglyphic

character in the eyes of John Bull, who would, probably, have fancied its real meaning to be, that Nelson ought to be the standing toast of his countrymen.

Marochetti, the other Italian who entered the competition, was both less ambitious of originality, and less insane, by some degrees, in his ideas. We did not sufficiently notice his model at our first visit to be able now to say, whether his rostrated Corinthian column differed materially from the other designs of that class; for what most attracted our attention to it then was, the odd appearance of the four animals at the angles-intended, we believe, to represent leopards-in the act of leaping, or else hanging down from the pedestal. At our next visit, we found that it had been removed, and afterwards learnt that it was broken in pieces by the artist himself, in the coach in which he conveyed it away. So far the signore set an example that ought to have been followed by many others, who had infinitely greater cause to be disgusted with their own performances; for though the story may not have been true in all its particulars, it being possible that the model may have been broken either by the jolting of the carriage, or some other accident, certain it is that it was taken away after being exhibited for a few days. In excuse of most of those who suffered their designs to remain in the exhibition to its very close, although so very inferior to the one just mentioned, and as hardly to deserve being mentioned in the same breath with it,all that can be said is, that they had no reputation whatever to lose. Among other things of that kind was a model for a column, not inserted in the catalogue, nor placed with those in the room, but thrust into what appears to have been the condemned cell for reprobates and malefactors-it being turned out upon the stairs at the further end of the room, where it "wasted its sweetness on the desert air;" and sweetness certainly appeared to have one of its qualities, the only good one that could be attributed to it, for it looked as if composed of the same material as those twisted sticks of pink sugar that are to be seen at confectioners' shops. Whether that hue, relieved by cabbage-green capital and ornaments, was intended to signify that its artiste considered it a pink of a model,

we undertake not to declare; it might be so, and there might also be some profound meaning or other in the inclination of its head, which distinguished this column from every other in the room.

But the facile princeps in absurdity and madness, was an assemblage of loose sheets of paper just pasted together at their edges, and which had so strange and wild a look, that they might have passed for veritable sibylline leaves, brought to light for the important occasion; more especially as the lines traced on them bore a greater resemblance to mystic characters employed in necromancy than to any kind of architectural plan. A plan, however, it professed to be; and one, moreover, for something so stupendous that it would infallibly have rendered London the envy of every other capital, and would have eclipsed the proudest monuments of ancient Rome. Its author-and a most consummate original he was, quite as stupendous a character as was his own design-admitted that he had not considered more than the mere ground-plan, but that was quite sufficient to guide the committee, and enable them to see what a magnificent structure could be reared upon it. "The idea, you know, is every thing," observed this notable projector to the individual who related to us the conversation he happened to have with him. "Of course, there must be some other kind of drawing before the thing can be executed; but any one can be got to do that. All that I want is something tasty and grand, with plenty of columns; but they can easily be had out of books: I am not particular as to them, so that they be but uncommon tasty, and grand. I can meet with a clever hand, I dare say, who will knock me off something of the kind in a couple of days, or so, when I explain my notions of what would be stylish and proper. I was prodigiously afraid the exhibition would be over, but am all in good time, I find.-See nothing here to be afraid of; all poor, little, puny things; nothing on half so grand a scale as this; every bit on't my own, too, I assure you, upon honour."

That the reader will here suspect we are only attempting to bamboozle him, is no more than we expect: such, however is not the memo Pano menoru

repeated what has been reported to us; and, we think, without any invention on the part of our informant. In fact, the "design" itself, displayed at the exhibition, leaves no room for questioning any other absurdity on the part of its author, as at all unlikely; for he who could have the courage to unfurl that flag of insanity before the public, must have been capable of freely giving vent to the most preposterous extravagance and rhodomontade in speech.

For having bestowed so much notice on the above, and one or two other egregious monstrosities, while we have not even mentioned several models that were really praiseworthy, we deserve the thanks of the committee, if not of the sculptors-Baily, Woodrington, Nixon, Pitts, and Lough-because the less that is now said respecting their designs the better. In fact, after the whole business has been treated very much like a joke, we feel ourselves in no humour to give it that serious attention we otherwise might have done. The decision that has been passed, is now irrevocable; the fiat has gone forth; Mr. Railton's design is to be carried into execution: nor, having plainly shewn to the contrary, do we say that it was the very worst, though we certainly are of opinion that there were several, even of the same kind, greatly superior to it. We are, also, willing to allow that it was an exceedingly difficult matter to make a selection of any single one out of so perplexing an assemblage of designs; more especially as, owing to gross oversight in the instructions, they were not all made to one uniform scale. Still we must protest against the very summary mode of proceeding at last adopted; the very strange off-hand way in which, after so much procrastination, the matter was finally settled. The precipitancy, and also the kind of secrecy, on that occasion, were any thing but satisfactory, or calculated to assure the public that the choice of the committee was the result of that reflection and deliberation which it called for; as it appears that they were at last chiefly anxious to get rid, as speedily as possible, of what they found to be a very troublesome task. Surely the better and safer mode would have been to have selected, in the first instance, a vontain numben af (la designs—say

a dozen, and then, discarding all the rest, to have set in judgment upon them, aided by the opinions of professional men, and others, who might very properly have been called upon for their evidence; which evidence should, of course, have been taken down. If, by such mode of examination, the opinions of such men as Chautrey, Barry, Wilkins, and others of high standing in the arts, whether as professional men or amateurs, had been elicited and carefully compared, there can be little doubt that if not a very different, a more satisfactory conclusion, would have been arrived at. Various considerations, which have now, perhaps, been entirely overlooked, would inevitably have been forced upon the attention of the committee; while, as these consultations and examinations must have been held at different meetings, at each of which one or more of the designs might have been thrown out, time would have been afforded for considering the arguments that had been brought forward. Lastly, it would have been desirable that each member of the committee should have given his vote openly, and thereby have been responsible for it to the public. Instead of this, or any thing like such mode of proceeding, how was the business managed? Why, in about a couple of hours, and by ballot! Beyond the mere fact that Mr. Railton's design obtained a majority of votes in its favour, all is mystery. The public know neither the amount of that majority, nor who were the ayes, who the noes. Surely this should not have been, at least not after the committee had so far conceded to public opinion as to rescind the first decision, and allow a second competition to take place. If they really found themselves at last compelled to confirm their first judgment, and make a choice which they already knew had excited no little astonishment and dissatisfaction; all the more necessary was it that it should be supported by valid reasons, at any

On

rate by reasons of some kind. To that they had, in a manner, bound themselves. Why else did they consent to a second competition at all? Wherefore, by so doing, pledge themselves to act with greater deliberation the next time? We must suppose them to have been in earnest; for otherwise, not only was the fresh competition a mere delusion, but a piece of premeditated mockery. Yet, although they have been forced into their former position; or rather, the old position altered materially for the worse, no explanation has been given, no justification of such a singular turn of the affair offered. We ourselves certainly do not think that the second exhibition at all tended to reconcile the public to Mr. Railton's design, or obtain for it a greater number of popular suffrages than it had in the first instance. the contrary, there were several of the new designs that threw it more than ever into the shade. From all that we have been able to learn, it had rather lost than gained in public estimation; nevertheless, it is now peremptorily fixed upon by the committee, without a syllable from them to inform the public upon what grounds that final decision rests. Perhaps it ought to satisfy us that it rests upon the result of the balloting; and it must be acknowledged, that the idea of deciding such a question by such a process was most ingenious-one worthy of the philosophers of Laputa. What a world of botheration, and of prosing attempts at arguments, must that simple device have spared! We are of opinion, however, that it would be a very great improvement were decision by lottery to be substituted for it, in all future competitions. No other would be so expeditious, no other equally fair; it would effectually relieve committees from all responsibility; nor should we hear those numerous complaints of favouritism, intrigue, and jobbing, which every competition for a building is now sure to produce. That for the

Royal Exchange is now coming on, and we earnestly recommend that it should be so decided; more especially as a great many very ugly rumours are flying about, which the announcement of such novel mode of decision would at once contradict. As to the decision of the Nelson committee, we regard it as immaterial, except as far as appearances go, because we see no danger

whatever of Mr. Railton's column ever being erected in Trafalgar Square. Not above half the requisite funds are in hand; the question, therefore, is, Will Mr. Railton's patrons and admirers make up the deficiency? We very much doubt it; and should they refuse, good-by now to the scheme altogether.

MOST splendid preparations were making for the marriage ceremony between Eva, baroness Scagonvold, and my half-brother Albert, now bearing the name and title of Waldorf, the fortieth Baron Von L-. It was to take place at my father's château, or castle, in England and Theresa, the duchess of St. Almar, the wife by the left hand of the Emperor of Austria, had obtained permission from him, who could refuse her nothing that she asked, to accompany Eva, the future bride, her friend and protégée, to that country, and to be present at the nuptials.

:

"You will miss the company of your little friend and favourite much on your return to Germany, my Theresa," said the emperor, after having granted, with some reluctance, her request, as he could not endure the thought of her absence from him so long a time. "You have managed this affair very foolishly, my ladye-love. Why did you not give Eva to that bold-faced, dark-eyed, illegitimate half-brother of this Englishman with a German name,-this Baron Von L, who has never deigned, it seems, to pay his respects to me, although his father was my liege subject? What sort of a mongrel animal is this Waldorf, who has thus bewitched our little Scagonvold?"

"He does not much resemble his bold-faced brother, Leopold," answered Theresa, deeply blushing, and covered with confusion, lest the emperor should demand to see him, and thereby Albert's powerful likeness to herself be immediately discovered.

"He came to Germany when I was on a visit to Bavaria, I think you said? This match seems strangely hurried up, methinks! I should have liked to have

given Titre Emo pa zen Eugena

He

emperor. "There seems to me some strange mystery about this half-English, half-German baron. Report assures me he is gifted with second-sight. may see too much, Theresa, for the happiness of this poor child you are so fond of. I suppose my new-made Colonel Richestein, to whom I gave a sword the other day, and also a name (seeing that he had no other one but Albert), will accompany your suite. By my father's bones, this darkeyed youth admires thee so much, my fair duchess, and so daringly declared the same even to ourselves, that I risk much in permitting thee to go so attended! But our child Theresa, Leopold, thy child and mine, shall go also; and he will remind thee constantly of his father."

"I need no remembrancer of thy goodness and thy kindness, my sovereign and husband, whilst I am away," said the duchess, tenderly; "yet should I like much my little Leopold to visit England, for I have there, my lord, still living, as I believe you know, my father," and Theresa looked quite confused, and hesitated.

"And you would like to shew him his daughter's child, and also that of the emperor," interrupted her kind sovereign, embracing her. "It is a very natural wish, my love, and it reconciles me in some measure to thy absence. Take handsome presents with thee for the old man; and if he will consent to return with thee, he shall not want rank or favour. Shall we not see this Waldorf at our court before he runs away with all my treasures?"

"He is shy, my lord, and not in health. You know these Englishmen-and he was born there-have much reserve," 20 ton aaqia feeling some { ་་

bride another year to pay her duty to her gracious king; but, at present, Eva is so deeply enamoured of this pale, retiring Waldorf, that the sooner the union is completed, I think, the better."

And the king sat down to play at chess with the duchess, whilst their child, a lovely little boy of four years old, was playing at their feet with a small spaniel the emperor had purchased for him, remarkable for its beauty, and the amusing tricks it had been taught to do.

"I shall call you Albert," said the little boy, caressing his dog.

"Only hear him!" said the emperor. "But now I recollect, the child was in the room when I presented this Waldorf's brother Albert with my sword. What a memory the little creature has! Theresa, your queen, my love, is in check."

"How courteous you are to tell me of it," said the duchess, trembling from head to foot, lest something should come out from the boy, respecting her other son, that would displease his father; "Go, Leopold," said she," and take your dog to yonder sofa: I forget every move, my lord, when his sweet face is so near me."

"In truth, he is a pretty child," said the emperor, fondly. "What a picture he would make at this moment! Theresa, I will get Vernet, the French artist, now he is here, to take our boy in that very attitude. You shall place it there, my love, between the Emperor of Austria and a certain lady for whom, it is thought, he bears some slight degree of affection.-There, I take this rook !"

"And thus endanger your knight. See, I bear him off thus !"

"You make sad havoc amongst the belts and spurs, Theresa. Here goes your bishop in revenge, which opens check to your white king," exclaimed the emperor.

"Lie down, you naughty Albert !" cried the child, who had not removed from the carpet near his mother's feet; "lie down, or I'll kill you with Waldorf's sword,-the one that my papa gave him."

"What knows he of Waldorf?" inquired the king, leaving off the game, and looking steadfastly on the child.

"You forget, my lord," answered the duchess, with a trembling lip," that it was at Eva's château that the child first saw this Englishman; and he has

confused the persons of the brothers, I suppose, respecting the sword that you presented to Albert."

"Papa did not give Albert the fine sword, mamma," said the child, boldly; "it was to Waldorf-to him who has such nice black hair. Albert is like mamma."

"Who told you so, young sir?" inquired the emperor, with an anxious and uneasy tone, his eye glancing suspicion on the duchess, and pushing aside the chess-board.

"He told me so himself," said the child, "as he shewed the sword to his brother Albert."

"You mean that Albert shewed it to his brother Waldorf?" cried the emperor, with a penetrating look.

"Mamma, this naughty dog has bit my finger," cried the child; and it had just drawn blood. Both the parents lost, in alarm for the precious life of their child, dreading lest the dog should be rabid, all further thoughts respecting the identity of the two brothers. The court-surgeon was immediately summoned; the finger cauterised; the dog carefully examined; all was confusion in the palace; the child had an opiate administered; the mother was in tears; the ladies of the bed-chamber were wringing their hands; and the emperor himself sat by the bed-side of his little son, holding the hand of Theresa, and comforting her. By this timely snap of the court spaniel, it is more than probable that a disclosure was prevented that might have brought down disgrace, perhaps, on the head of the Duchess St. Almar, and the banishment from his sight and favour of the little beautiful child that had unconsciously produced all this confusion by his innocent prattling to his canine favourite.

In about a fortnight after this, the brothers departed for England, to superintend the final preparations for the marriage there; and Theresa, duchess of St. Almar, Eva, baroness Scagonvold, a retinue of great number and magnificence, attended by a physician and three or four nurses for the child, set off a few days afterwards, the emperor himself going several miles with them as their escort. A most tender farewell took he of them all, not forgetting to make the destined bride presents befitting his own rank and the favour in which she stood with his adored Theresa.