wear a complete circle of gold on the forehead; and that three rich ornaments of this kind should be distributed annually to the three mothers who should have suckled the greatest number of infants." At the conclusion of the last Austrian war, Louis found it expedient to visit his haughty brother at Paris. The shifts and precautions to which he had recourse, singularly display the posture of affairs. 66 ing made to the senate on the 16th of De-Icere reconciliation: he prefered Saxony to He was afraid, that, during his stay in Paris his name would be employed against his will, to authorize many things in Holland: that such acts, as the Emperor might think proper, would be printed in the French papers, while he was deprived of all power of disavowing them and under this idea he had settled with his ministers, that every act or paper whatever, not ending with some Dutch words, or with the device of the order, Doe well enzie niet om, should "As soon as the king found the turn be considered as a nullity. It was for this which affairs took, he made attempts to esreason also, that he gave orders to the com-cape: but measures to prevent it were too inanders of the fortresses of Brabant, not to well devised, as he was convinced in the difadmit any troops without an order written ferent excursions he made with this design at and signed by his own hand. His aim was St. Leu. His house was guarded, and the to render all diplomatic falsehood or trea-guard made its report every day to the grand chery impossible." marshal of the palace: he was watched most It is quite Indicrous to contemplate a mo- strictly; he was made a prisoner. At first narch of very limited power pretending to he merely suspected it; but he soon obtainresist the strong hand which raised him, and ed certainty on this point, though he affected to play the Independent where there was not to perceive it. He consented to go and not a chance of success. Buonaparte cared reside at Trianon: but it was not long before not a straw for these struggles; in his speech he returned from it abruptly. At the moat opening the legislative assembly, to ment when he was expecting the fulfilment which Louis was not invited, he said, of the promises male him, at the moment "Holland is in reality only a part of France. when the projected marriage of the Emperor This country may be defined by saying, that gave reason to hope for a change of system it is the alluvion of the Rhine, the Meuse, and conduct with regard to him, the meaand the Scheldt, that is, of the great arte- sure of injustice and ill usage was heaped ries of the empire. The nullity of its cus-up. He did not despair however of finding tom houses, the dispositions of its agents, and means to escape." the spirit of its inhabitants, which incessantly inclines to a fraudulent trade with England, make it a duty to prohibit trade on the Rhine and the Weser. Thus crushed between France and England, Holland is deprived both of the advantages repugnant to our general system, which it must renounce, and of those it might enjoy. It is time, that all this should return to its natural order.” In April our shadow of a king was permitted to return to Amsterdam, where he lived, "watched by secret agents, ready to poison every word." In Napoleon's letters at this period, are many memorable passages. He tells Louis "The astonishment and indignation of the king, when he heard this passage, may easily be conceived. He was then sensible of the great fault he had committed by this cursed journey; and how difficult it would be for him, not to say impossible, to escape the snares laid for him. As Louis and Hortensia had lived almost always separate since their marriage, except three short periods of a few months, they each demanded of the family council a separation, presently after Louis arrived at Paris. But after a meeting of the family council was granted, the separation was refused, though it had long existed in point of fact. "He was informed of the refusal of the family council verbally no document whatever was transmitted to him on a result, on which however depended the ease, condition, and fame of a man of honour. "The marriage of the Empress Josephine was dissolved; a demand for the purpose be In the end Holland was united to France, and the poor fly in the spider's web at Paris was cajoled, tortured, and persecuted in the most infamous manner. "When you conduct yourself so as to persuade the Dutch, that you act agreeably to my suggestions; that all your proceedings, all your sentiments accord with mine: you will be esteemed and beloved, and will acquire the stability necessary to restore Holland. This illusion still supports you a little. The journey you took to Paris, your return, and the Queen's, and other motives founded in reason, make your people think, it is still possible for you, to revert to my system, and my way of thinking: but you alone can confirm these hopes, and eradicate even the least doubt of them. There is not one of your actions, which your fat Dutchmen do not weigh, as they would an affair of credit or commerce: they know therefore on what to depend. When being a friend of France and of me shall entitle a man to be your bosom friend, all Holland will perceive it, all Holland will breathe freely, all Holland will find itself in a natural situation. This depends on yourself alone. "Do you think, that the letter you caused to be written to Mollerus, and the assurances you gave him of your affection, at the time when you displaced him, will give you any consequence in the country? Undeceive yourself: every body knows, that without me there is no safety, without me there is On the subject of Buonaparte's own mar-no. credit, without me you are nothing. If riage, it is interesting to read his brother's then the example you had before your eyes statement. He says, at Paris; if the knowledge of my character, "The Emperor had inclined at first to an which is to march straight to my object, alliance with Russia; but the latter refused without being stopped by any consideration, it, after having almost given a promise. have not altered you, have not opened your The Emperor then caused Austria and Sax-eyes, what would you have me to do?" ony to be sounded, and the answers were favourable. The Emperor decided at once for the former house, for which he always had a kind of respect and regard, sentiments that displayed themselves in spite of himself, even in his hostile proceedings towards it. Though decided, the Emperor held a privy council on the choice of an empress. Prince Talleyrand, Prince Eugene, the Duke of Bassano, and the Duke of Vicenza, were for Austria: the King of Naples, the minister Fouché, and Cambacères, for Russia: Prince le Brun, Cardinal Fesch, the Duke de Feltre, and the King of Holland, for Saxony. The reasons of the latter were, that the Emperor and France had been too great enemies to Austria, to hope for a sin So it is in the original, but the author must surely have meant succeeded. Tr. "You yourself break your own sceptre. Be assured, no person is deceived. Would you be in the path of sound policy? Love France, seek my glory: this is the only way to serve the King of Holland." "Do you know why you were the harbour of Holland? It is because you were the seal of an eternal compact with France, the bond of a community of interests with me: and Holland, become through you a part of my empire, was dear to me as a province, because I had given it a prince, whom I looked upon almost as a son. Had you been what you ought, I should have been as much interested for Holland as for France, I should have its prosperity as much at heart: and certainly in placing you on the throne of Holland, I thought I was placing there a French citizen, as much devoted to the greatness of France as myself, and as jealous of every thing concerning the mother country. Had you followed this plan in your conduct, you would now have been king of six millions of subjects. I should have considered the throne of Holland as a pedestal, on which I should have spread Hamburg, Osnabruck, and part of the north of Germany; for it would have been a nucleus of people, that would have broken still more the German spirit, which is the first object of my policy. Far from this, you have taken a course directly opposite; I have found my self obliged to forbid you France, and to seize on a part of your country. 66 not very purely, though faithfully Though rather a heavy work, and translated, there is a great deal of important matter in these three volumes; which, if not calculated for mere Eng lish popularity, will no doubt find their way to most of the libraries of statesmen and politicians. "The King of Naples was returning home, | his life and future prospects had been sacrito endeavour to save himself, if the existence ficed to worldly illusions and politics." of the French government should be endan- On the entrance of the Allies into Paris, gered. He advised his brother-in-law to re- he accompanied the Empress to Blois, thence turn to Holland by the assistance of the al- went to Lausanne, and in September to lies. The latter answered, this he would Rome, where he has since resided, superinnever do; because Holland would not be tending the education of his son. permitted to remain perfectly neutral, and no throne in the world would bribe him to make war against his country. If France prove successful," added he, "what reproaches should I not deserve, for having drawn on the kingdom its hostility and vengeance! If she prove unsuccessful, the allies in the end "You do not say a word in your council, will give the preference to the Prince of you do not entrust any one with a secret, Orange. But, "after the departure of the King that remains unknown, that does not turn of Naples, he reflected maturely on the sinagainst you and annihilate you; for in the gular situation in which he stood. He felt minds of the Dutch you are to them but a clearly, that it was a favourable moment, to Frenchman of four years standing; they see attempt a return to Holland; and that the in you nothing but me, and the advantage of French government could not do better, than finding themselves sheltered from the subal renounce a country slipping through its tern agitators and plunderers, who have har- fingers, and establish in it a French dynasty. rassed them ever since the conquest. When He despatched an officer of his guards to you show yourself a bad Frenchman, you Mentz, with orders to await the Emperor are less to them than a prince of Orange, to there, and deliver to him a letter, in which whose blood they stand indebted for the rank he endeavoured to persuade his brother, to of their nation, and a long series of pros-lose no time in adopting the only step, that perity and glory. Holland is convinced, that remained for France to take at that moment, your aversion to France has made them lose, with regard to Holland. what they would not have lost under a prince of Orange or a Schimmelpenninck." What a picture is here? Louis could only abdicate, which he did on the 1st of July, and set out for Toeplitz. Thence he went to Gratz,and though deserted by all those whom he had taken with him and relied upon, but who were in truth his brother's spies, he resisted all the threats and commands to induce him to return to France. ARTS AND SCIENCES. LITERARY FUND. We have felt rather reluctant to give any account of the annual commemoration of this fund on the 4th, because the meeting was altogether unworthy of the occasion. There were indeed several respectable noblemen and gentlemen present, and soine literary characters, whose names are known to the public; but the number assembled was very limited, and both in distinction of rank "As he could entertain no doubt, that a and letters, and in the amount of the subcountry about to fall into the hands of the scription, the results fell far short of what allies would be yielded up to him with plea-ought to mark the anniversary of so generally sure, and that it was important to lose no interesting and excellent an institution. In time; he resolved to proceed immediately to truth, there is evidently something radically Amsterdam, if the French government gave wrong in the management of this noble chaits consent, and would permit the Dutch rity. This year the failure was ascribed to then at Paris to accompany him. Accord- delays and blunders in not getting stewards ingly he proceeded towards this capital, after in time, and in not apprizing those who had having written to the Empress Regent, and been procured, so as to enable them to act to Prince Cambacères; but was much asto-efficiently. But the Literary Fund has never occupied the place it ought to fill among the benevolent associations of the country. There is hardly a club of any sort, or hospital of third rate consequence, which does not outstrip it; and as for the more public charities connected with the arts, the drama, &c. their success trebles and quadruples that of ONE which ought to stand pre-eminent, as its objects are the encouragement of universal literature, and relief of unfortunate authors. There is no part of the community which does not feel a sympathy with the plan; and yet it pines in comparative ob scurity, and but for a remarkable legacy, would hardly be competent to assuage the distresses of a dozen perishing scholars in a twelvemouth. "He led (as he feelingly states) a very retired life at Gratz, endeavouring to re-estab-nished to find, on his reaching Pont sur lish his health. He waited impatiently for Seine, a refusal to receive him at Paris. He the so much desired period of a general returned to Switzerland therefore, where he peace, that he might go to Rome, that he was informed of the Emperor's answer by might implore the assistance of the august letters from Prince Berthier, Duke of Vicenhead of his religion, on the score of his mar-za, and by what the Emperor said to the riage, and be enabled afterwards to retire to St. Leu; where he hoped to terminate his career, where in 1804 he had deposited the ashes of his father, and where a place had ever since been prepared for himself. Paris and St. Leu he loved beyond all expression, and considered as the places of his birth.* "But heaven ordered it otherwise; and willed, that the man perhaps least in the world framed for solitude and celibacy; the man most French, most peaceable, least a cosmopolite; was obliged to live alone, and in a wandering state, and accused of loving neither tranquillity nor France. May this work convince both his countrymen and the Dutch of the injustice of these reproaches." When the crisis of Buonaparte's fate drew on, Louis seems to have forgotten his resentment. He endeavoured to renew their fraternal intercourse; but being frustrated, went to Switzerland in order to be near the scene of action. Here a curious interview took place between him and Murat, after the battle of Leipsic. ✦ (Quære, Was he born in two places?) officer, who had been sent to him. Both In 1814 Louis returned as a private indivi- "He alighted at his mother's. He could not see the Emperor till ten days after his arrival. Orders to remove to the distance of forty leagues from Paris were hinted to him. The Prince of Neufchatel, and the Duke of Vicenza, came to him formally to renew to him these orders, which he refused to obey, because no one had a right to prevent him from dwelling in his own house. "At length, on the 10th of January he saw the Emperor through the mediation of the Empress. They approached each other coolly, without embracing. It would be difficult to form, an idea of what Louis inwardly felt at seeing again a brother, to whom his infancy was so much indebted, but of whom he had so many reasons to complain, since We take this view of the subject without designing, far less desiring, to impute blame to any of the persons whose names appear among the officers of the society. The zeal, talents, and diligence of several of the most official are acknowledged by those who have better opportunities than we possess of appreciating their services. We only say, that from some cause or other,either from gentlemen being averse to thrust themselves too forward, or from the duty which many should perform being performted by none, the thing has been ill conducted. Happily we trust, for the fund, this fact was stated at the meeting in a mess address, utter. delivered by one of the stewards, the Hon. in five hours, nearly. As he made this in- I was 1500 toises in length, and 6 toises m Mr. Douglas Kinnaird, and further animad-teresting observation during an excursion breadth. These streams of fire diminished verted upon by the chairman, the Earl of into the country, it was not possible to have on the 25th, and, on the following day, the Blessington. It is therefore to be hoped, the aid of instruments, or to communicate crater again threw out clouds of black smoke. that the disposition consequently manifested the phenomenon early enough to others. It On the 27th, fresh showers of stones again to promote the good cause, with greater would be very possible to attain, in this buried the fountains, the utility of which concert and vigour, will not evaporate be- manner, the discovery of a planet nearer to had induced the guide to Vesuvius, Salvafore the next anniversary. Several useful the sun than Mercury. tore, to repair it at his own expence, for the hints as to previous arrangements were Remarkable Phenomena in the late Eruption use of the numerous travellers who ascend thrown out; and, as they seemed to be una- of Mount Vesuvius, communicated by a the volcano, and are generally much incommonimously approved of, it is to be presumed. scientific writer of distinction. ded by thirst. In the night of the 28th, flames they will be strenuously acted upon, and Naples, March 6th-Vesuvius has conti-issued in abundance from the cleft out of that we shall not again have the painful nued, ever since October 1818, to pour out which the lava flowed. They formed a pyratask of censuring, where it is so desirable that streams of lava; that in particular of the last mid of fire, about 50 feet high, which seemwe should have only praise and gratulation to eruption, on the 25th November, 1819, noted to be a current of ignited hydrogen gas. only continues, but increases. M. Gimber- This beautiful thermolamp burned without The meeting amounted to about 120, and nat prosecutes his observations, in hopes of interruption through the night, on the top included, besides the chairman, Lords Pom-seeing the end of this long series of erup- of the mountain; when the sun rose it disfret and Bolton, Sir W. Clayton, G. Wat- tions, of which he witnessed the commence appeared, but it shone again in the followson Taylor, Mr. D.Kinnaird, Mr. Heher, Mr. ment, that he may afterwards examine ing night. At the beginning of February the Chalmers, Dr. Symmons, Rev. C. P. Burney, the effects that have been produced in the top of Vesuvius was covered with snow, &c. &c. &e. When the customary toasts interior of the crater, to which access is pos- while its fire raged with redoubled fury. were disposed of, and the glee peculiar to sible as soon as the volcano becomes more There was then occasion to adinire the strikthe day had been performed, by the veteran quiet. According to his observations, the ing contrasts of nature: deep snow surroundShield, and other musicians, Mr. Fitzgerald following are the principal occurrences since ed the flaming mouth of the volcano, and went upon a table, and recited an address, the commencement, in November last. In the the constantly flowing stream of lava. being the twenty-fourth which he has com- night of the 1st of January the stream of lava, On the 13th the inhabitants of Torre del posed for these anniversaries. Of the good which, till then, had remained pretty equal, Greco, Resina, and Portici, were alarmed intention and philanthropy of these exhi- suddenly rose considerably above the sides by violent shocks at the foot of the mounbitions, no one can entertain a doubt; and the of its hed, rushed forwards, and divided it-tain, accompanied by loud explosions inside. author is most deservedly respected for his self into two streams of fire. At the same An electrical conductor, which M. Gimberconstant devotion to the interests of the Li- time the principal crater threw out flames nat had erected on the summit of Vesuvius, terary Fund. But we must question the and stones in great quantities. On the 4th, and which was connected with a voltaic elecexpediency of tabular recitations, which are at two in the afternoon, there was a loud ex- trometer, showed an uncommonly strong rather inconsistent with English manners, plosion, which the Neapolitans took for a positive electricity about the crater, but with and are, in themselves, more likely to ex-clap of thunder, as in general they never continual variations, not to be ascertained, cite ridicule than to inspire respect. We think of Vesuvius, except when it threatens and which, perhaps, were caused by the wish they were discontinued, and Lord By them. With this detonation. several ig-great mass of vapours spread by the incesron's taunt* disproved in both its branches. nited substances, and above 30 feet of the sant eruptions during this operation. In the Several admirable songs, by Braham, were edge of the crater, were thrown into the air, following night, a storm from the south more exhilarating; and the statement, by by which the top of Vesuvius lost some toises brought torrents of rain, which continued Mr. Yates, that the permanent fund for ge- of its height. The great crater therefore, for four days. The fires of Vesuvius raged neral purposes amounted to above 6000. which was higher than that which is called with still greater fury amidst these floods of was still more cheering. the little crater, is now the lower, as respects water. On the 20th of February, a new Towards the conclusion of the evening, the level of the opening. The smoke, which eruption of lava succeeded this storm. The the noble president was very successful in usually rises from the crater in columns, or melted substances flowed with such rapidity, creating an enthusiasm in favour of the chain round masses, now often assumes a circular that they advanced 600 toises in less than rity and some stewards of considerable or ring shape, ascends in constant rotation, an hour. The old stream of lava of the 25th power having been nominated for next year, and changes its white colour to blue, as it of November, had extended to above 1500 we anticipate that an assemblage will take spreads in the atmosphere. A second bril toises. At the same time the flames and the place, at which the highest rank, and the liant phenomenon appeared in the night of stones rose from the centre above 500 feet proudest abilities, will be seen crowding, as the 13th. A bright, very much extended into the air, as calculated by the time which they ought, to honour and promote the Lite-light, like the Aurora-borealis, diffused an the highest of the latter took to descend. rary Fund. uncommon lustre to a considerable height over the crater. It was caused by the reflection in the clouds of an immense fire burning Vienna, 27th April.-M. Steinheibel, who in the interior of the volcano; but no flames has for nearly four years daily observed the were at this time visible above the crater. sun, and carefully noted, in a journal, the This volcanic meteor illumed seven nights dark or bright spots which became visible, successively with increasing splendour; when, noticed, on the 12th of February this year, on the 16th, a violent eruption threw up so at 45 minutes past ten, A. M. a spot distin- many stones, that they in a short time guished from every other, by its well defined, choaked up the two springs (one of fresh circular form, by its circular atmosphere, water, and one impregnated with muriatic by its orange colour, and particularly by its acid) which Mr. Gimbernat had collected, singular motion, as it crossed the sun's disk and kept up for above a year on the sumHis Lordship notes the period of Mr. Fitz-mit of Vesuvius. At the same time the gerald's recitation as that when the company have drunk so much bad port, as to relish bad verses. Now, the host of the Freemasons' takes care to give good port; and, if the verses were withheld, the noble bard's accusation would fall to the ground entirely. SPOTS ON THE SUN. stream of lava greatly increased, and diverged The first volume of the Memoirs of the about Vesuvius! The subterraneous motions which were propagated in the whole wide circumference of Vesuvius, several times shook the houses of Torre del Greco, and other towns on the coast. A quantity of lapilli (little pieces of lava), were thrown above an Italian mile from the crater, and suffocating vapours extended beyond Portici. They rushed, with a loud roaring, from the lateral openings of the volcano; and, as these were too narrow for them, they forced open two new and larger ones, in the form of craters, about 50 feet in circumference, through which stones and flames rose at intervals into the air, for several hours. The principal lava stream increased, overflowed, branched into several fiery currents, and extended to above 50 feet in breadth. The fire issuing from both craters exceeded the preceding, being higher and more frequent. In the night of the 24th, the mountain displayed its whole dreadful grandeur. The next day It seemed inclined to repose; the columns of fire ceased, the lava stood still, and seemed to be going out. This repose was of no long duration. After throwing out vast clouds of black dust (improperly called volcanic ashes), which, on the 25th were so frequent, and thick, as to darken the Appennines at noon-day, the eruptions of burning matter recommenced on the 27th with great fury. Vesuvius threw large stones to the distance of above a mile into the valley which separates it from Monte Somma, and Ottajano. A new. stream of lava poured over the old one, and separated into several branches. The detonations were so violent, and the houses in the neighbouring places trembled so often, that the people passed the night in dread of an impending catastrophe. The quantity and thickness of the lava were such, that, notwithstanding the full light of the moon, the stream resembled a red-hot iron arrow, a thousand toises in length, aimed in an oblique direction from the clouds at the earth, amidst the darkness. A violent southwest wind raised, on the 29th, a storm from the sea, which continued five successive days, accompanied with torrents of rain, hail, and claps of thunder. During this storm, the sea ran dreadfully high, and Vesuvius seemed to partake of its fury. In general the activity of the mountain has much increased since the 1st of March. An incessant roaring is heard in its bowels, like the waves of the sea in a storm. Numerous subterraneous shocks shake the doors and windows of the houses in the villages at the foot of the mountain, and the eruptions of flame and stones from the crater are more frequent. In the last six days these fiery eruptions filled the whole mouth of the crater, rose above 100 toises into the air, and recurred at intervals of three to five minutes, accompanied with strong detonations. During the day they appear as immense pillars of white smoke. The lava continues to flow in uncommon quantities. The scene is at present the more attractive, because the high pyramid of Vesuvius, as well as the adjacent mountains, is covered with snow two feet deep. This gives the Gulph of Naples the appearance of one of the great Alpine lakes, and combines the wonders of Vesuvius and of Mont Blanc. Thus the mountain has been at work these fifteen months; and its violence increased during the southerly storm in February and March, constantly in proportion with the motion of the sea. M. Gimbernat has already observed this coincidence six times; and it seems incontestibly to prove the efficacy of sea water, as one of the causes of volcanoes. The observers of Vesuvius now living cannot remember so con. tinued a series of eruptions. Of the lava which issued from the mountain on the 1st of January M. Gimbernat has made medals, in honour of the prince whose liberality has enabled him to continue his researches for so long a period. These Vesuvian medals bear on one side the inscription, "Long live King Maximilian Joseph, Bavaria, and the Wittels bachs!" and on the reverse, "Lava of Ve suvius, 1st Jan. 1820. as a homage from particulars of this picturesque drama, belong Gimbernat." in an eminent degree to the true comedy of art. LEARNED SOCIETIES. OXFORD, MAY 13. Forty Three Drawings.-Copley Fielding. There is hardly one of these drawings but possesses some character of excellence. The On Saturday last the following Degrees artist is fond of extraordinary atmospherical were conferred: effects; and in some of his delineations of MASTER OF ARTS.-W. Coltman, Esq.these, the eye which has not looked at these Brasennose College, grand compounder; things as a painter's eye does, will be at a Oliver Cave, Balliol College. BACHELORS loss to reconcile his works to individual truth, or ARTS.-J. Reynolds Johnson. Balliol though from confessing his powers, it may College; J. Sheffield Cox, Peinbroke College. without an effort be conceded, that his close On Wednesday last the following Degrees junction of the utmost warmth and coldness were conferred of colour, may in reality have been found in nature. DOCTOR IN DIVINITY.-Rev. William Benson, Rector of Hampton Poyle, &c. and formerly fellow of Queen's College, grand compounder. MASTERS OF ARTS.-Rev. Thomas Walker, University College; Conrade H. Coulthurst, Brasennose College; A. Macdonnell, Student of Christ Church; J. Henderson, Balliol College; Rev. David Williams, and Rev. Walter Powell, Jesus College. BACHELORS OF ARTS.-Samuel Johnson, and John Hampson Johnson, Lincoln College; S. Hartopp Knapp, Merton College; J. Edmund Jones, St. Edmund Hall; E. R. Taylor, Wadhain College; Edge Larden, Brasennose College. position, displaying great powers of poetical This is a highly classical and elevated comfeeling, and great skill in some of the superior qualities of art. The tones are however crude, and the purple hues of the flesh are such as no good colourist would admit. The want of keeping, as well as massing, must also be allowed as slight drawbacks to an otherwise very fine performance. G.Nos. 103. and 113. Viers of Windsor and The subject of the Cambridge Seatonian prize poem for the present year is-The Omnipresence of the Supreme Being. FINE ARTS. SPRING GARDEN EXHIBITION. We gave a general view of this Exhibition on its opening; we now return to notice some of its leading pictures. Battersea, from Millbank.-J. Varley. of this artist's talents, uniting the lightness Two very clear and beautiful specimens of water-colours with the solidity of oils. Nos. 2, 3, 12, and about a score of others.G. F. Robson. It is difficult to speak in detail of this artist's performances, from the number and variety which they present. Some preference will however fall to distinguish our choice, and the Nos. 12. and 23, of Sunset and Twilight, No. 17. The Tight Shoe.-H. Richter. are among the most striking examples of his Every body can tell where his own shoe pencil. No artist appears more master of pinches, but nobody could excell Mr. Rich-his means; and the singleness and simplicity ter in telling, through the medium of the of his execution have a charm no labour can pencil, where another's shoe inflicts this bestow. misery upon him. He has given us a truly Nos. 5. 11, &c. &c. &c.—Samuel Prout. comic piece, enriched with all the additions The most prominent picture of the numof brilliant colouring and masterly execution.ber which this artist exhibits, is 291, An The external and internal accessories are Indiaman on Shore, which is finely adaptmade skilfully to augment the humours of ed to his broad style and pencilling: his the subject; each appropriate, and each in its ancient towns in France are also of the kind tending to enhance the value of the same character, and display very great principal. The stocks in the distance are at genius. once congenial emblems of suffering, and hints at that sobriety of life and conversation of which some of the party may aptly be reminded. The Chelsea Pensioner, with two wooden legs, giving advice, is, rare case! a disinterested counsellor, and his calamity is here a matter of innocent joke, and much in unison with the whim of Tight Shoes "His limbs are in the grave: After life's lengthened marches, he walks well; Bullets have done their worst: nor steel, nor grape-shot, Surgeons domestic, foreign warfare, nothing, Can touch him further. The evident assurance of the cobler, and his assertions (we hear them), that nothing can fit better; the signs of former suffering in the countryman; and, in short, all the No. 117. Rival Candidates.-E. Landseer. "Twa dogs that were na thrang at hame:" But not the dogs of Burns. In this picture one of the aqueous breed has brought a staff out of the water, which a terrier seizes, and is trying to wrest from him the moment he gets dripping to the shore. The humour and whim of this subject are exquisite animal expression could not be carried further, and these dogs are exactly what Mulready's boys are, at Somerset House. No. 141. Una, from Spenser.-W. Bewick. : The We fear that the light in this work is not to be accounted for on rules of art. painter has attempted too literally to translate the poet. There is nevertheless a degree of stillness and solemnity about the picture, and something of promising execution. ROYAL ACADEMY. S Nos. 79. 89. Skirmish: Combats, from the MR. ISABEY'S EXHIBITION. This celebrated French artist has opened an exhibition of his works at 61, Pall Mall; which he has fitted up in a pavilion fashion, These are animated and vigorous illustra-worthy of imitation, both for its neat effect tions of the same subjects which the artist and for the excellence with which it throws treated on a smaller scale at the British In- the light over the pictures. stitution. They have the merit of being better drawn, and for spirit and execution yield to Wouvermans perhaps in nothing but in the management of the chiar oscuro, and the exquisite touch of his distances. The massing is equally fine; and, if not so highly finished, there is as firm a pencil, and almost si milar correctness. The bistre land ORIGINAL POETRY. smaller sketches are full of energy;the frame, No. 64, may be viewed as a good proof of this:-it is only when colours In his landare employed that the artist seems (according to our notions) to fail. scapes of this class, there is no fine feeling, no poetry, nor imagination; and as mere transcripts from nature, the total absence of It is natural to suppose that the gallery of air-tint, and the use of the crudest green, ena foreign artist, and especially of one, like tirely destroy their claim to consideration as Mr. Isabey, of talents acknowledged to be elevated performances. of so high an order as to rank him among scapes are better. A few caricatures are exthe foremost in the French school, should ceedingly clever and humorous. The ConBritish a lively interest among gress at Vienna is curious, on account of the excite Painters and Amateurs. With these how-portraits, but inferior as, a work of art to ever it may be a question, whether produc- the Parade. No. 131. Chreimhild, the Widow of Sieg- tions so different from what they are accustomed to admire, and on which their tastes frid the Swift, &c.-H. Fuseli, R. A. This is a scene founded on the ancient super- have been formed, can be appreciated altostition, that a corpse would bleed afresh on gether without prejudice. For ourselves, the approach of the murderers. In our first we can only say, that we have endeavoured glance at the Exhibition, we stated that it to dismiss from our minds the predilections was composed in a high tone of imagination; in favour of particular styles and manners, and we are sorry that upon further acquaint- and not to ground our opinions upon any ance, we cannot extend our commendation. system of exclusive preference. That there Eyes bidding farewell to their sockets, feet does exist very opposite feelings with relike harpy claws, and colouring which in-gard to art, between France and England, volves dead and living in one iron tone, be- is not to be denied; and if it were denied, come more and more disagreeable in propor- this Exhibition would disprove the allegation to the size of the picture; and this is tion. The defects, as well as the qualities one of the largest which Mr. F. has lately belonging to each, are distinct; and it produced. As for perspective, the learned may with justice be remarked, that reprofessor seems resolute to confine his know-linquishing a portion of dogmatisin would be For if ledge of it to his lectures. The dead body extremely advantageous to either. might readily be mistaken for that of a fe- there are errors to avoid, there are also male, instead of a warrior renowned in the beauties to imitate, on both sides; and in many instances a little of the French finish 'Aventura. might be as beneficially bestowed upon our bolder sketches, as in others the spirit of our school might be admitted to elevate the precision of our continental competitors. No. 145. Lear.-H. Howard, R. A. With more of elegance than of force, with more of art than of passion, Mr. Howard has made his Lear, at least, far superior as a poetical portrait, to any of his late dramatic representatives. The Dover Cliffs are sweetly painted; but in other respects we observe nothing to distinguish this from the artist's manner in former works. No. 180. Village of Waterloo. Travellers Mr. Isabey's Exhibition is attractive on 74 pieces of which it consists, we were most a The architecture is admirable, and the figures charmingly painted. A lady in black gown with a green shawl, is an example of the most successful management of We are glad to notice this artist again in terms of praise. We know not if he reads our remarks, but he has returned to the right path, which he was leaving in one or two of his later pictures. This is an exceedingly clever production, in its class. No. 274. Cupid.-W. Owen, RA men. costume and perfect elegance of form. No. 7, "The Parade on the Tuileries," is the grandest drawing in the room, and eminent both for finish and spirit. The portraits are very interesting; the horses, by Vernet, well executed; and the tout ensemble impresses us with a high opinion of the artist's powers in composition. [By Correspondents.] comes From hearts half breaking o'er them.-Silently shade With quenchless splendor, sparkling restlessly. AN EPITAPH, BY FRANCOIS MAYNARD. Cy gît Jean qui baissoit les yeux TRANSLATED. A. S. Here lies friend John, who droop'd his head THE DRAMA. COVENT GARDEN. VIRGINIUS. On Wednesday a tragedy, founded on the well known and often dramatized Roman story of the death of Virginia, and the consequent revolution, which overthrew the authority of Appius Claudius and the Decemviri, was produced at this theatre. The author is stated to be an Irish gertleman, of the name of Knowles, and a distant relation of the late Mr. Sheridan. As a dramatic writer, he has sustained his claim to that affinity; for it gives us pleasure to say, that his play was most deservedly successful. It is difficult to speak with any deSeveral drawings "a l'estompe" resem-gree of correctness upon the poetry or comble our mezzotint prints. In general we position of a tragedy, from merely being would remark, that Mr. Isabey appears present at a first night's performance. The to us to be the Vanderwerf of our day. His impression upon our minds is, that there is miniatures are light, fanciful, and pretty; and more of natural beauty and pathos, than of these also interest us from the persons of the elevation of the tragic muse, in Virginius; whom they are the likenesses. Some of the that the touches of filial and paternal feeling |