all trading transactions. The Mombella, | by inspiration, is much oftener wrong The kidnapped victims are the most numerous; but, thank Heaven! this catching in the bush is now near its last extremity. were no towns nor acknowledged form of government. The south shore was represented as the most difficult to penetrate, the Portuguese missions not having taken that direction. Captain Tuckey therefore resolved on attempting to advance by the north bank into The property which a man dies possessed the interior; and having sent the boats of, devolves to his brothers or uterine uncles, but prescriptively, as it would apdown to rejoin the Congo, and formed pear, for the use of the family of the de- a depôt of provisions at Cooloo, he ceased; for they are bound by custom slept there on the 21st of August. (which is here tantamount to our written laws) to provide in a proper manner for the wives and children of the deceased; and the wives they may make their own, as in the Mosaic dispensation. Prince Schi, alias Simmons, deserted with four of the best Embomma porters, having first violated the laws by bargaining with two of the head gentlemen for their wives, for two fathoms per night, which he absconded without paying. All these matters the Captain promised to settle on his return; and, by distributing some brandy, at length, got over his difficulties. A new inter preter, who had been five years in England, was engaged; and by noon the party reached banza Manzy, 9 miles north of Cooloo. Here four fathoms of baft were given for a pig of 15lbs weight; and after all, the people pretended they could not catch him, so that the purchasers were obliged to shoot their bargain. At 4 o'clock they halted in a deep ravine (Sooloo envonzi) for the night; a considerable quantity of excellent water remained in the hollows of this vast torrent bed, whose sides were thinly clothed with wood, among which were trees from 80 to 100 feet high, and 18 inches diameter, nearly as hard as oak, and fit for useful purposes. Their route this day was 8 or 12 miles from the river, and more hilly and barren than any they had before gone over. In the morning they found that they had pitched their tent over a nest of pismires, but though covered with them no person was bitten. The musquetoes also abstained from their attacks. At day-light they were roused from their rest" by the discordant concert of a legion of monkeys and parrots chattering, joined with that of a bird named booliloso (a crested toucan) hav The night scene at this place (says he) requires the pencil to delineate it. In the foreground an immense Adansonia, under which our tents are pitched, with the fires of our people throwing a doubtful lighting a scream between the bray of an Crimes are punished capitally by decapi- over them; before us the lofty and perpenass and the bleat of a lamb; another tation, by gradual amputation of the dicular hills, which form the south side of resembling the note of a cuckoo, but limbs, by burning, and by drowning. The Yellala, with its ravines (in which only ve- much hoarser; and another, crying only capital crimes, however, seem to be getation is found) on fire, presenting the Whip poor Will' (a species of goatpoisoning and adultery with the wives of appearance of the most brilliantly illumi-sucker.") great men. This latter crime, it would ap-nated amphitheatre; and finally, the hoarse pear, being punished in proportion to the noise of the fall, contrasted with the perrank of the husband. Thus the private man fect stillness of the night, except when broaccepts two slaves from the aggressor; but ken by the cry of our sentinels, "All's well," the son of a Chenoo cannot thus compro- continued to create a sensation to which Imise his dishonour, but is held bound to even our sailors were not indifferent. kill the aggressor; and if he escapes his pursuit he may take the life of the first relation of the adulterer he meets. This, it may well be conceived, also leads to endless feuds. Poisoning an equal, is simple decapitation; but if a superior is thus destroyed, all the male relations of the murderer, to the very infants at the breast, are slaughtered. Thefts are punished hap-hazard by the priest, who, after many contortions, fixes on the criminal, and as he decides Alas, that poctical picture was only the prologue to a woful tragedy; the brave Commander, from whose pen we copy it, was taken ill before morning but we must not anticipate events: he took some calomel, and was prepared for setting out at daylight. Various vexations however occurred. The inferior officers at Cooloo were exorbitant in their demands for presents, before they would consent to a guide being furnished. Several buffaloes had been to drink at one of the holes in the rock, about 200 yards from one of the tents. On the 23d, at 7 o'clock, after a breakfast of cocoa, they again marched onward, crossing a most difficult tract of hills and ravines. At 11, they found themselves at an angle of the river, formed by its returning to the S. E.-; This last reach not appearing to be more than 3 or 4 miles, but entirely filled with rocks, and absolutely, as far as could be judged by the glasses, without the smallest passage or carrying-place for a canoe. At noon they reached Banza Inga, the Chenoo of which was blind, and the Government in a commission of the Macaya, Mambom, &c. who imme- | Memoirs relative to the History of the last diately assembled a Palaver, to know what white men came there for. Here an appeal was made to force of arms; -but having transgressed our allotted bounds, we must defer the accounts till we arrive at the (Continuation, in our next.) as An Essay on Average; and on other Subjects connected with the Contract of Marine Insurance. By Robert Stevens, of Lloyd's. royal 8vo. pp. 295. As it is part of the plan of our miscellany to blend the utile with the dulce, we do not apologise, especially to our commercial readers, for directing their attention to the work before us. Mr. Stevens has written an elegant, and what is better, a very useful book, on a most dry and untractable subject. There is no branch of commerce at once so intricate and so important as that of Marine Insurance; none that is at the same time so necessary and so difficult to understand. The difficulty of becoming familiar with the laws and practice of insurance, no doubt arises, partly from the nature of the subject, but chiefly from the very few cases, comparatively speaking, which occur within the experience of any one individual, affecting his own immediate interests. Still, however, when these cases do occur, they are generally so important, and so widely extended in their results, that it is exceedingly desirable there should be some distinct principles laid down. It is indispensable, too, that these principles should be founded on existing data, that they should arise out of previous and ascertained practice, because in many branches of the subject there is nothing but previous practice to determine the points that may come in question. As far as our necessarily imperfect knowledge enables us to judge, it appears to us that Mr. Stevens has supplied these desiderata as fully as the nature of his work would admit. He seems to be extensively, and what is of more consequence, practically acquainted with his subject; and in many instances, very happily illustrates his positions by hypothetical cases, which he has so contracted, as to bear upon the argument at all its points. He has also supplied a very complete list of reference to all the previous writers on different branches of Marine Insurance, to whom he likewise gives copious marginal indices, whenever they have mentioned the particular case of which he happens to be treating. If we were disposed to be critical, we might quarrel with the author's style now and then in such passages as this, in the preface, for example: "the commercial community in general possess much less information on this subject than is required from its importance to their interests." But upon the whole, and especially considering the nature of the subject, the book is well and perspicuously written, Half of the Eighteenth Century. Abbé Georgel. By paired from inclination and habit, the only meeting place of the ministers, and the centre of all the secrets of the state. on their submission to the will of the mistress, and therefore all their labours were but the execution of the orders which she had given. In this manner Madame de Pompadour reigned in France. These Memoirs, which have been lately pointed and dismissed the ministers at Her power was so great, that she appublished in two volumes, are the more in-pleasure; the latter saw too, that their teresting, as they contain nothing but facts, whole credit and influence depended entirely in which most readers took a lively interest at the time they happened, notwithstanding the veil with which many of them were then covered. The author was a Jesuit, who rose to the rank of French Chargé d'Affaires Strasburg, and Vicar-General to the Grand at Vienna, of the Suffragan Bishop of Almoner of France, the Cardinal Prince of Rohan. He was in part personally and actively engaged in the events that he describes, and partly in situations that enabled him to collect the most authentic accounts. As far as we can judge, his work seems to be written with tolerable impartiality and regard to truth. That he, a Jesuit, is not satisfied with the dissolution of the Order, cannot be thought surprising; but he merits praise for having spoken of it with decent composure, and without forgetting the dignity of an historian. He begins his book with the history of the dissolution of the Order; and as we mean to select some of the most interesting anecdotes, the Jesuits will furnish us also with our first subject. ever, did not satisfy her; she desired to fill This power and her great wishes, howa place at Court, with which dignity and consideration were united, and by which she would be placed on a level with the most distinguished ladies; in a word, she desired to become lady of honour to the Queen! But however well the King might be inclined to favour this project, it could not possibly be accomplished, unless the Queen herself gave her consent. In order to induce that truly virtuous princess to comply, the Marchioness assumed the mask of piety, and pretended to renounce entirely all familiar intercourse with the King. After having arranged every thing with himself, she caused the doors which led from her apartments to those of the King to be walled up, and publicly declared, that she would take a confessor. She wished to have a Who would believe, says he, that the Jesuit, for the honour that that order would destruction of the Order of the Jesuits in willingly sacrifice all secondary views to its France was chiefly effected by the implaca- reputation and the increase of its influence. ble hatred of a public prostitute, who was Father de Sacy was proposed to her; who first drawn from obscurity by the farmer- was an honest man, but had only a modegeneral D'Etiolles, who was enchanted by rate share of understanding and talents. her beauty, and then, in spite of the conju-She sent for him, and contrived to inspire gal ties which bound her to her first bene- him with a firm conviction of the sincerity factor, publicly appeared as the mistress and of her conversion. He congratulated her chief minister of Louis XV. At this ele- on it, and thanked God for the grace he had vation, to which she rose by crimes, she shown her. But how much was he astoswore destruction to the Jesuits, and by nished and embarrassed, when the Marsecret intrigues continually deepened the chioness refused to comply with the only abyss into which our Order, that had filled necessary condition which he prescribed to both hemispheres with its glory and its apos- her, if he should become her confessor. tolic virtues, was soon precipitated. This thoroughly immoral woman, was immeasurably ambitious. It is a well known fact that without the least personal attachment to Louis XV. she yet, in order to govern him, gave herself up to all the dissipation to which that monarch, who was passionately fond of her, invited her. But she was prudent enough to foresee that her empire would be at an end as soon as the passion of the King should cool, and the sense of religion, which was only lulled asleep, should revive and recal him to his duty, for she had observed that the King's conscience sometimes reproached him, even in the intoxication of pleasure. She considered therefore of means to make her power independent of her personal attractions, or of a change in the sentiments of the King; and as she was well acquainted with his indolence, and particularly with his irresolute, indecisive character, which, notwithstanding a sound natural understanding, rendered him the slave and the tool of his ministers and mistresses, she at length contrived to make her Boudoir, where the King daily re "Without doubt," said he, " you have made every preparation to leave the court, as this must be the first step to remove the scandal that has been given." How! leave the court!' said she, have you considered of it? I certainly know all the dangers of the court, and am firinly resolved no longer to follow its principles and its dangerous examples; but is it not much more to the honour of religion when public penance is done for the crime, at the very place where it was committed? If I remain at court, and, with all the external signs of penitence, retain the favour of the King, and great influence, I could employ it for the advantage of religion; and, as the penitent Magdalen poured out sweet-smelling ointment at the feet of our Saviour, I could consecrate all my treasures to the altar of the Lord.' Father de Sacy, notwithstanding his simplicity, perceived the snare that this hypocritical woman laid for him. In order to avoid it, he chose a way by which he however led to the destruction of his Order. He told her that he would immediately go to Paris, to consult the assembled superiors of the Order upon this case, and speedily return with their decision. This decision was of course soon taken, for there can be no room to deliberate on the application of principles which cannot be departed from. The unanimous opinion was, that she must leave the court. His superiors immediately foresaw the fatal consequences it would have for father de Sacy; they also plainly signified to him, before he carried the answer, how extremely imprudent it was of him to consult all the superiors of the Order upon a point which he ought to have decided himself with evangelical firmness, and without regard to any worldly consideration. Madame de Pompadour fell into a dreadful rage at this decision of the superiors, and vowed revenge. Father de Sacy was immediately dismissed, and learned too late that a woman of this description is incapable of either repentance or forgiveness. He ended his melancholy life in the castle of Zabern in Alsace, where the Cardinal de Rohan, uncle to the Grand Almoner, allowed him to be, after the dissolution of the Order; and I have the whole of the above account from his own mouth. (To be continued.) ANALYSIS OF THE JOURNAL DES SAVANS Art. I.-Morrison's Chinese Grammar. we may say so, by the wet summer of Art. III.-Elphinstone's Account of the nions are still greatly divided respecting the true causes of the annihilation of the formidable French armies in Russia. All, without exception, consider this unparalleled defeat as an immediate effect of a Divine judgment; but many see in the elements the chief dispensers of the Divine justice, and in the nation itself only the subordinate instruments, which in this point of view cannot indeed claim any particular merit for having gathered fruits that were ripened to their hands, under the protection of the elements, ruling, like the Fate of the Greeks, with inexorable severity. But to us it seems more suitable to deduce this great result from psychological reasons, and to assume as the main causes of that event, the moral degeneracy of the military character of the French, their arrogant revelling in the remembrance of past victories, their blind confidence in their their contempt of all national propriety delusive successes in the summer of 1812, and, on the other side, the approved origi nal character of the Russian nation, its enthusiastic attachment to the sanctuaries of its faith, its heroic enthusiasm thence aris This highly valuable work having been published long before we commenced the Literary Gazette, must be too well known to our readers to require us to notice at length the critique in the Journal des Savans. But as we feel far more pleasure in recording instances of the liberality of French criticism in regard to English literature, than in exposing, as we have sometimes been compelled to do, the malignant carpings of the incurable calumniators of the English name; and as we besides feeling, which risks every thing to save every just pride in seeing our own favourable thing, and grows into deadly hatred of the opinion of Mr. Elphinstone's work, supenemies of the national faith. I am firmly ported by the high authority of M. Silvestre convinced, that as an eye-witness of this gide Sacy, we beg leave to quote one short gantic contest, I can allege facts which will passage. Having given a general view of justify my conviction, that even if the frost This work is a new fruit of the indefati- adds, "The longest extract would give but fugitives (and which in fact did not happen the contents of Mr. E's work, M. de Sacy with its destroying breath had not pursued the gable zeal and laborious activity of the English Missionaries. Desiring to extend interest of the materials which compose they were at least as near to the dilapidated a very imperfect idea of the richness and till their army was to be considered as annihilated, in a military point of view, when the knowledge of a language so useful to the vast picture, of which we have just given remains of their resources as to the smoktheir countrymen, they have perceived, that in order to accomplish this object, it known in a second article, by choosing the ing ruins of Moscow,) I am convinced, I was requisite to publish elementary works traits that are best adapted to give a just repeat, that even then a total destruction of for the use of students. A happy emula-idea of the nation of the Afghans; but the French army, as such, was inevitable. tion has arisen between Mr. Marshman before we finish this article, we think it For, proud of their hitherto invariable sucand Mr. Morrison; they have each pub-right to lay before our readers a passage alone was sufficient to subdue their enecess, these tyrants thought that their name lished a grammar, and prepared a dictionary.which is truly remarkable, and which canWith this assistance, the servants of the not fail to inspire the greatest confidence mies; they believed themselves exempt English Company, who desire to acquire in the author of this work, because it from all regard to the rights of nations and some knowledge of the Chinese language, proves with what judgment and what im- to moral conventions; they attacked the will have advantages which their predeces- partiality he has considered and observed Russian nation at the same time, in the sors did not enjoy. It is to be feared that the men and the objects which he had to field, in its constitution, and in its faith; the same advantages can never be derived describe." The passage quoted by M. de they pulled down the ancient venerable from it in Europe, where books printed in the Indies will be always very rare, and Sacy is that which commences the second forms, and the first fruits of the new legis a sketch. We shall endeavour to make it book. considered in some measure as objects of Art. II.-Annals of French Agriculture, volumes 67, 68, 69, 70. This periodical work, which was begun in 1798, and has been continued to this moment, with the exception of a few years, when it was interrupted, contains a valuable collection of treatises, observations, advices, and experiments relative to agriculture. These four volumes are not less interesting than the former ones. Their chief contents seem to have been suggested, if ON THE DESTRUCTION OF THE FRENCH Original Letter from a Russian Gentleman to his Friends in Germany. lation were disorder, want, and licentiousness; with arrogant effrontery they profaned the sanctuaries of a religion, which, with infant piety, still believes the living God present in his image, and thus autho rized the dreadful idea, These are the enemies of God as well as ours; to destroy them is a holy work, grateful to heaven, whose cause is our own! Whatever we may sacrifice for this object, is sacrificed for ourselves and for heaven, which can make golden harvests rise on fields covered with dead bodies and smoking ruins." Thus arose in the nation the resolution to hazard all, that all might be gained,-that the violation of its dignity, the profanation of its altars, might be avenged. The shepherd sacrified his flocks, the farmer his harvests; whoever could use a weapon, gave himself and his blood. The Russian cast a firebrand into his own property, to deprive the hostile army of all means of subsistence. With confidence he looked upon the ashes that covered his possessions, for from them rose the avenging fury of famine, which lifted her dreadful scourge over the head of the general enemy, the harpy eyes of the French; but soon the savage cries of rapacious and blood-thirsty soldiers announced to the inhabitants, suspended between hope and fear, that this peaceful asylum was also discovered, and, like all those in the neighbourhood, stood This famine effected, what most people on the list for destruction by the terrible ascribe to the frost; it compelled the fugi- conquerors. The Pope of the village, howtives, whom Kutusow's genius drove inces- ever, a venerable old man, resolved to meet santly before him, to wander from the the enemy with humble submission, and route, divided into irregular bodies, to seek thus to save at least the lives and dwellings food in the by-ways, and thus to deliver of his parishioners. He went to meet the themselves into the power of the inhabi- savage crew, holding in his left hand the tants, who thirsted for vengeance. Hunger consecrated chalice with the wafers, and chained the wretches, whose only hope of in the right the Crucifix, followed in solemn safety could be found in ceaseless flight, to procession by the elders of the village. The the corpses of their fallen brethren, and officer who commanded the enemy seemed delivered them up, in the midst of their to be inclined by this submission to treat inhuman meal, to the avenging steel of them mildly; with his soldiers he silently their pursuers. But this famine was not joined the procession, and followed to the the work of chance, it was the well calcu-church. But here he threw off the mask, lated consequence of a heroic resolution, and required the priest to deliver up to him purchased with the flaming ruins of above a the church plate; the latter, shuddering at thousand villages, and with the destruction the proposal, reminded these barbarians of of the ancient and venerated city of the the presence of the Almighty, of the invioCzars! lability of the treasures of his sanctuary, He was answered by insolent scoffing and peremptory renewal of the demand: already they seized their axes, to bring to light the concealed treasures; already, with impious hands they tore the rich ornaments from the images of the saints; when the weak old man again takes courage, and with the commanding voice of despair, exclaims, " Brethren, defend and avenge your God, and his profaned temple!"-The country people, inflamed with rage, obedient to the voice of their father, were collecting around him, when a volley of fire-arms laid them low at the very entrance of the sanc tuary, and the temple profaners bind the feeble priest upon the altar, and with diabolical ingenuity kill him, by violently forcing open his mouth, and thrusting down his throat the consecrated wafers! I may therefore boldly affirm, that not the blind agency of the elements, but the firm resolution of a heroic people, and their unparalleled sacrifices, were the chief cause of the destruction of an army, from whose graves the general freedom of Europe, has arisen! Is it not more than probable, that this nation, after so many painfu! sacrifices, would not have spared the last; and that, even if the winter had been as mild as in southern climates, the sword of the Russians would equally have completed the destruction of the French? Certainly, no German will entertain a doubt of it; for the sons of Hermann are now more than ever conscious what a people are capable of, when they enter the lists with the pride of a good cause. And now to enforce my arguments by facts, I will mention two examples which exceed indeed An aid-de-camp of Prince U. related to in their horror the limits of human concep- me a counterpart to this horrible story, and tion, but for the authenticity of which I can his narration may serve to shew into what vouch, as they were communicated to me cruelties a national and religious war may by credible eye-witnesses. The two main degenerate. The corps in which this officauses of the great event, namely, the pro- cer served, belonged to the advanced guard found moral corruption of the French army, of General Miloradowitsch. The French and the burning hatred of the Russian na- were pursued without intermission, and as tion to the enemies of God, appear here in in this rapid advance many of the younger their entire horror-inspiring reality; and, and weaker soldiers remained behind from if the latter has broken through the bounds inability to proceed, he was ordered to colof humanity, and changed into cannibal re- lect the stragglers, to take them into the venge, it is only the more in favour of my country on the side of the ronte, and deliassertion. When a people, naturally good-ver them to a depot for the sick. On this natured and humane, being suddenly attacked in what they held most sacred, could be infuriated to inhuman hatred, no physical obstacles could hinder them from completing their revenge. march through a country not laid waste, he rode one day into a village near the road to procure something to drink he observed a well built farm-house and went in. The first objects that caught his eyes, were two The French army already began to spread Frenchmen, who were sitting at a separate over the plains of White Russia, and as far as table, and regaling themselves. Being the frontiers of the Province of Smolensko, struck with this circumstance, he inquires, all the towns and villages situated near and hears with horror the frank account of the principal roads were inundated by the farmer: Yes, Sir, the rascals cost me the enemy: the village of Lusskowo alone five roubles; I have bought them of a seem for a time to be exempt from the ge- Bashkir: they were quite starved and mineral distress, being concealed by its situa-serable; I now fatten them up with the tion in the midst of woods and bogs, from best I have; let them become fully ac quainted with the enjoyments of life, then will put them in confinement, and let them gradually die of hunger-that will be an agreeable funeral offering for my father, whom these profaners of temples have murdered by thousandfold tortures. I would indeed willingly have torn them to pieces when I bought them, but happily recollected that death at that moment would be a relief to them! It is better as it is!' I lay down the pen which records this dreadful design of an inhuman soul, only adding, that for the honour of my country, this cruelty was not completed; and that, as may be supposed, Lieutenant I. employed his influence to deliver the unhappy victims, and to give the peasant up to justice, that he might be punished as a warn ing to others, whom savage hatred had rendered barbarous. RUSSIAN LITERATURE. Mr. Stanislave Siestrencewitz de Boheisz, Metropolitan Archbishop of Bohilew, has published a work in French, under the title of Recherches Historiques sur l'origine des Sarmates, des Esclavons, et des Slaves, under the periods of the conversion of these people to Christianity. It is in 4 vols. 8vo. and has three maps and a portrait of the author. Though written in French, and published at St. Petersburgh about four years ago, it is hardly known, we believe, to the rest of Europe, which induces us to give some account of it. The author fixes in the year 2143 before the vulgar era, the emigration of two Scythian Bactrian Princes, and their arrival in Cappadocia; in 1514 the passage of the Scythians into Europe, and their settlement near the Borysthenes. In 1475 (still before Christ) the Scythians are attacked in Tauris by Sesostris, and repulse him. Twenty years after, a colony of Medes (Enetes or Slaves) settle on the shores of the Black Sea. The Enetes arrive in Thrace in 1209; in Italy, in 1183. In 380 the Sarmatians pass into Europe, and Scythia takes the name of Sarmatia. From the commencement of the Christian era, the facts and the details become too numerous to be pointed out here. The author introduces them in his first three volumes, without either proving or discussing them. The quotations contained in the fourth volume, do not consist of transcriptions or illustrations of texts, but merely in references to the author's books and chapters, where we are to find the authori ties in support of the narratives or results in the three treatises, on the Sarmatians, the Esclavons, and the Slaves. The Eselarons must not be confounded with the Slaves. They were neither pure Slaves nor pure Sarmatians: their nation, formed by the Yazyk Sarmatians, included many Illyrians, who were Slaves by origin. The Greeks translated the name of Slares (praiseworthy) by that of Enetes (celebrated,) &c. The method followed in this work is not perhaps very strict, but it dis plays much research, and contains curious data, FRENCH LITERATURE. Mr. John Weller, B. A. of Emmanuel | ous, and uncertain; while there is a promise A new periodical paper, devoted to li- College, was on the 12th inst. elected a about Mr. Brockedon, which tempts us to terary and political discussions, has been Fellow of that Society. blame more of the present, and expect spoken of for some time past; and what is Dr. Bernstein, Professor of Oriental Lan-more of the future, than perhaps. in either very extraordinary to those who know the guages at Berlin, who is travelling under case we are warranted. With much merit profound indifference with which publicathe auspices of the Prussian Government, in parts, we lament the general heaviness tions of this kind are regarded, the one with the view of obtaining materials for a of the piece, the absence of reflected lights, above mentioned was a general subject of Syriac Lexicon, which he is about to pub- and the blackness and weight of colour. conversation, even before it made its ap-lish, has been for some time in this Univer- There is, besides, a want of keeping, as pearance. The names of the conductors sity. He has passed the greater part of his well as of a retiring fond to receive the were mentioned. Among them are several time in the public library, employed in the principal group, which we do not know members of the French Academy, and various examination and collation of its Oriental how to separate, as the whole clings together young writers who nobly follow their foot- MSS. He next visits Oxford, and the other steps in literature and public affairs. Universities of Europe, which are the most celebrated for their MSS. in Eastern literature. His late publications in that department are spoken of in the highest terms by the Continental Journalists, who rank him among the first Oriental scholars of the day.-Cambridge Chronicle. The first number has just appeared under the title of the Political and Literary Spec tator. At the head wè observe the names of MM. Auger, Lacratelle and Campenon, of the French Academy; Deprez, Droz, Loyson, Pariset, Lourdoueix, &c. The Spectator will not be periodical in the strict sense of the word, but in course of the year fifty-two numbers will be published at intervals nearly equal. It is evident that the public have nothing to lose by this arrangement, and that the proprietors have every thing to gain. The first article, which serves as an introduction to the Spectator, is happily selected. It is a sort of dedication to France, an homage to the country, which has the more claims to the respect and love of her children, because she is unfortunate. M. Lacratelle has undertaken to repel the outrages of Lord Stanhope; in the mouth of an Englishman, a member of the English House of Peers, he places the apology of a nation, which daily proves that she can endure any thing except contempt. This first article is entitled, 4 Speech which might have been delivered in the British House of Peers, in reply to Lord Stanhope's Speech. M. Lacratelle says, that the sentiments of a Frenchman are frequently observable in this Speech; but, he adds, he does not fear being reproached with having yielded too much to this feeling. We can assure him that wherever this Speech might OXFORD, March 21.- Wednesday the Saturday, the last day of Lent Term, the The number of Degrees in Lent Term pur Congregations will be holden for the THE FINE ARTS. THE BRITISH INSTITUTION. No. 8. and the building to the figures: indeed it cuts the picture perpendicularly, and seems to extrude the forms it ought to support. The prostrate bearer in the foreground is well imagined, but wants the anatomical markings, which would not have destroyed the breadth of light. After all, there has been too much pains taken with the architecture, and if we might pun on so solid a subject, we would say that, compared with the figures, the very stones cry out against the painter. CCXXXII. CHRIST IN THe Garden. The Christ is deficient in character: the head and countenance are merely lachrymose. The light is however judiciously managed, and the angel is executed with so different a pencil, as to shew that the artist need not be heavy from want of power to be otherwise. CLXXVI. ST. PETER'S REPENTANCE. This is a sketch for a large picture. The figures are too much scattered, and the hurry and action seem to exclude the effect intended to be produced.-This artist also appears as a sculptor, but we shall perhaps consider these designs altogether. CCXXIII. VIEW OF A PUBLIC SQUARE at POMPEII.-C. Hullmandell. This piece of classic ruin is in the purest style of art, rendered interesting by a beautiful play of partial light thrown over the foreground. The pearly tint of the distance gives great value to the stone pillars, and be delivered, it would enjoy over that of CCXLVIII. CHRIST RAISING THE WIDOW's other parts of the subject. There are his opponent the advantages which reason and true elevatiou of sentiment maintain in every country over the malignant ideas and unjust prejudices of a mind blinded by passion. The literary portion of the Spectator is not less ably written than the political articles. It comprises a review on the Memoirs and Correspondence of Madame d'Epinay, by M. Auger, which is without contradiction one of the best that ever issued from the pen of that justly celebrated critic.-French Paper. figures in the middle space, but we think one or two nearer the eye would, by means the contrast, and added to the effect of of more positive colour, have heightened this pleasing little picture. XLVII. VIRGIN AND CHILD. Douglas Guest. SON AT NAIM.-W. Brockedon. As this is the largest picture in the Exhibition, perhaps we should have noticed it first; but as merit does not necessarily pertain to bulk, we have indulged our eye in many lesser delights, as well as many lesser offences, ere we came to this stupendous work. It is, however, incumbent on us to offer our remarks upon it, as the object of skill of Corregio, we should have had Had this picture been painted with the the British Institution is to cultivate a little favour for the subject, which has been school of design, and encourage paintings multiplied and tortured into every shape, of the class to which it belongs. But from till variety is exhausted. Those which the this picture, and from what we have before old masters have left us are quite enough; seen of this artist, we may premise, that but for modern artists to attempt adding to his style is not sufficiently formed, nor his the stock! we really hoped better things. judgment properly matured. Here is cerWil-tainly too much space occupied to less pur-Guest can at least quote Guercino. As for the goldfinch, if objected to, Mr. pose than we could have wished. The manner is very heavy, and we regret it the CCIII. THE YOUNG CHEVALIER.-CCXII. more, as the walk which this artist has A MUSICAL PARTY.-George Watson. chosen is of the highest character, and the The first is evidently a portrait, and thereascent to fame by this path is steep, hazard-fore wrongfully entitled, to use a phrase of LEARNED SOCIETIES. John Lodge, Esq. B. A. of Trinity Coll. is elected a Fellow of Magdalene College. |