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ART. XXIII. The Art of Working in Pasteboard, upon Scientific Principles. To which is added, an Appendix, containing Directions for constructing Architectural Models: Intended as a Sequel to PapyroPlastics, or the Art of Modelling in Paper. Compiled from the German, with Corrections and Additions. By D. Boileau. With Eight Plates. 18mo. pp. 114. 5s. boards. London: Boosey & Sons.

1827.

It would be a desperate attempt to strive to restore our modern spinsters to a sense of the value of spinning, knitting, and such primeval arts. We must be content with a compromise; they may be brought, not altogether to set their faces against industry, provided, that with the opportunity of making it productive, they shall also be at liberty to render it perfectly unprofitable, either to themselves, or to any body else. Now, working in pasteboard, we contend, may be made as frivolous an occupation, as any ethereal-hearted modern belle need desire; but it is likewise true, that the art can be turned to signal advantage, by any young lady, for whom the imputation of being domestically useful has no terrors.

This very curious art has long been cultivated as a part of the regular education of youth, in some of the seminaries of Germany. A very elaborate, but, by reason of its price, almost inaccessible work, has been written by a German professor; in it the theoretic principles of working in pasteboard are laid down, and the amplest directions given, by which a proficiency in the art may be easily obtained. This production, as also a supplementary volume which was added by the professor, and which, of course, did not increase the popular circulation of their contents, form the basis of the present very elegant little publication.

In passing over its pages, one is struck with astonishment to observe, that such a number and variety of beautiful objects can be produced by means of a very slight degree of manual address, under the guidance of scientific rules, from so simple a material as pasteboard. Fancy baskets, in almost endless varieties, work-boxes, trays, and cushions-articles that come under the description of the useful; and towers, and temples, and pavilions, in every architectural form, from the solid Tuscan to the polished Corinthian-forming the class of articles that belong to the ornamental -are only some of the productions, the fabrication of which is attainable at a trifling expenditure of labour, time, and money. There are, indeed, no bounds to the curious modifications of which pasteboard appears to be susceptible.

Mr. Boileau shews that this infinite variety of forms in pasteboard, is only the result of the various application of a few primary geometrical figures and that a thorough acquaintance with the principles on which these are cut out, and dexterity in the process, lead immediately to a facility in constructing the most elaborate and beautiful articles. It is absolutely necessary, therefore, to be very diligent in following the instructions of M. Boileau upon this elementary stage of the art. The tools are few and simple, consisting only of a knife, compasses, rules, borers, &c.; in short, such instruments as are wanted for the purpose of cutting out portions of pasteboard in the requisite shapes with neatness and accuracy, and then such implements as can assist in the convenient junction of the different parts, where a union of several pieces becomes necessary.

The figure being completed, is as yet in a comparatively rude condition, and it may be decorated in various ways, according to taste and fancy. For the process of varnishing articles in paste-board, a very simple and intelligible receipt is furnished by M. Boileau. The directions, likewise, by which the decorating of those objects, not only with gold, but with any other thin metal, may be effected, are expressed in the same lucid and satisfactory manner. But those ornaments, which consist of coloured paper, notched and indented in a variety of fanciful ways, appear to M. Boileau to be the most congenial aids to the embellishment of the pasteboard figure. For those fair artists who are inclined to be of the same opinion, there is afforded, in this work, every necessary detail of the mode by which they can amply gratify their taste in that respect. The author's various directions are practically illustrated by eight small sheets of elegantly executed engravings. We should have said, that the remarkable simplicity and plainness of the formule in this volume had rendered any attempt at mechanical demonstration almost superfluous. However these plates will serve to perfect the attractions of a work, the beneficial influence of which, we sincerely believe, will not be limited to that circle for whose use it is immediately intended.

LITERARY AND MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE.

Domestic and Foreign.

WE have seen the first number of a new Transatlantic Journal, entitled "The American Quarterly Review." It is about the size of our Quarterly Journals, and as dull a work of the kind as any that we know of. It is heavier even than the 'Westminster,' when burthened by the lucubrations of Jeremy Bentham. The American editor obtained, by some chance, a sight of the two first volumes of Sir Walter Scott's forthcoming work on Napoleon, from which he has given copious and very mediocre extracts.

The Reviewer of "Villemain's Historical and Literary Miscellanies," in the last number of the Monthly Review, will be glad to learn that the work on De l' Hopital, which he recommended as a befitting subject for the learned leisure of Mr. C. Butler,' was, in fact, one of the earliest literary productions of that accomplished writer. The book is, however, now rarely to be met with, as it has been some time out of print.

A work has been announced as preparing for publication, which will embrace the best productions of the English satirists, with notes and illustrations, and an essay on English satire.

We hear that an eminent bookseller at the Westend of the Town, is to be immolated in verse one of these days. It must be admitted, that, on some occasions, he has been rather too active in anticipating the public opinion on his works-but we must say that, a more spirited, or a more liberal publisher, is not to be found in any country. We observe too that many of those, who cry out most loudly against his paragraphic systemfor it deserves the name-are among the very first to follow his example.

The late revolution in the cabinet, the most complete, as well as the most fortunate revolution that has yet occurred in the history of this country, has of course caused a pretty considerable disturbance among the herd of

dependant or expectant literaires, who have hitherto licked the dust that fell from the feet of Westmorland, Peel, and Co. A few of them, having let off their anger in pamphlets, have already changed sides. Others have attempted to turn their disasters to profit, by speculating in new weekly and other periodical publications, which will vanish before another moon wears away. One evening paper, called The Standard, has been commenced in the interest of all that was furious and ignorant in the late administration. Of course, this will disappear in a few weeks. Lord Kenyon might have given the Marquis of Londonderry a lesson on this subject.

The manuscript Herbal of Jean Jacques Rousseau is a curious work. It consists of eight volumes, quarto, and contains specimens of about 800 sorts of plants, with descriptions entirely in the handwriting of that eccentric philosopher.

An interesting collection of medals in stucco, representing all the memorable events of Napoleon's reign, has been announced.

It is not very generally known that Mademoiselle Georges, who is to perform several of her best characters at the French Theatre, in London, sustained at one period of her life the difficult part of premiere chere amie in the private household of Buonaparte.

Captain Sabine, who is at present in Paris, has written a summary account of the geographical results of the late Polar expeditions.

The most popular poet of Russia, at the present moment, is Alexander Pouschkina: he is about 26 years of age. He commenced his career at the age of 14; and in his 19th year he wrote a poem called Rouslan and Ludmilla, which is said to be superior to any thing of the kind that had previously appeared in that country. It is not a little remarkable, that the Russian censorship has allowed several odes, distinguished for their spirit of liberty, to remain in a collection of his fugitive pieces, which has been recently printed at St. Petersburgh.

The principal Gazette of Hungary is at present printed in Latin-that is to say, in the Hungarian dialect of that language, which it would be no easy matter for Cicero or Varro to understand, if they met with a copy during their rambles in the Elysian fields It scarcely touches upon public affairs, and though everybody knows that some warm and important discussions have taken place in the late sessions of the Hungarian Diet, the Gazette is as silent, with respect to them, as if they had been held in the moon. This cannot last long, we guess.

It gives us pleasure to observe, that Messrs. Engelman and Co., whose lithographic publications in Paris have deservedly attained a high degree of celebrity, have formed a branch establishment in London. We have not as yet seen any of the works, which they have printed in this country; but if we may judge from the latest of those which they have brought over from Paris, we may conclude that they are likely to raise this novel art to a state of perfection, far above what it has already reached, or than even the most sanguine admirers of lithography ever expected. We have before us a series of views in Spain and Switzerland, some of which approach in beauty, and exceed in softness, the best copper-plate engravings. These views are greatly exceeded in merit, by a portfolio of scenes forming a voyage pittoresque in the Brazils. There is amongst them a

view of " a virgin forest," which is, incomparably, the most beautiful thing of the kind we have ever beheld. This is rivalled only by two sketches of Swiss scenery, on an imperial folio scale-the vallies of Lauterbrunn and Interlachen. Nothing can exceed the depth and airiness of the perspective which has been attained in these fine specimens of art. The rugged towering Alps, which, in most of the copper-plate representations of them that we have seen, appear ready to fall on the villages and cottages beneath them, are here preserved in all their native grandeur, but in their due distances; and, instead of oppressing the lakes, the soft landscapes, the cottages, and rustic industry at their feet, serve rather, by contrast, to yield them a sweeter repose.

In a biographical notice of Legouvé, a French poet, read at the last public meeting of the Philoletchnic Society, at Paris, was the following account of Napoleon's listening to a tragedy by Legouvé, entitled “The Death of Henry IV." The audience was appointed for noon precisely. Legouvé went to the palace accompanied by Talma, who was to read the tragedy. On their arrival, the emperor's sisters, and their ladies in waiting, were about taking their places in the saloon, where the piece was to be read; but on the emperor entering, he sent them away, saying, "that it was a private meeting, to which none could be admitted but the empress." He then shut the door himself, and turned the key in the lock, and pointing the author to a chair, told him to sit down. Legouvé hesitated for a moment, when Napoleon, with a brusque urbanity, added, "You wish then to keep me standing." Talma began reading. When he came to the passage where Henry IV. complains to Sully of the continual recurring vexations, with which he is overwhelmed by the haughty Medicis, Napoleon looked towards Josephine with an expression of countenance that seemed to say, that he had never experienced any thing from her but tenderness, attachment, and the most unalterable kindness. Shortly after, he rose up, and remained the rest of the time standing, but continued to listen with the most scrupulous attention; and when Talma pronounced the line, put into the king's mouth,

"Je tremble, Je ne sais quel noir presentiment,"

Napoleon suddenly interrupted him, and said to Legouvé, "I hope that you will change that expression-a king may tremble, but he should never avow it." After the reading of the tragedy, the emperor stated his intention of giving a recompense to the author, suitable to his talents; but Legouvé modestly replied, that he had been sufficiently rewarded by the public esteem, and his nomination as a member of the Institute of France. "You then wish for nothing?" asked Napoleon, throwing upon him a scrutinising glance-"What, neither pension, nor honours, can tempt you? You richly deserve to be called a true man of letters."

A work, now in the French press, which promises much interesting and entirely novel matter, is the account of a six years' sojourn in the city of Assumption, in Paraguay, the capital of that most eccentric of despots, Dr. Francia, by Mr. Resigger, a Swiss physician and naturalist. Some of the proof sheets of this work, which we have seen, contain the most extraordinary details upon the government, public conduct, and domestic life, of this singular man. No romance writer would venture to endow the

creature of his imagination with the same bizarre mixture of the ludicrous and the ferocious of folly and reason, of simplicity of manners, and inordinate vanity, which distinguish the character of the supreme director of Paraguay.

The bookselling trade in Paris, which has also had its crisis, has not shewn the same elasticity, in rising towards its former prosperous position, as that of London. Besides the pecuniary embarrassments to be got over, the French booksellers and printers are influenced by other considerations, that tend to check their confidence and spirit of enterprise. The panic into which they were thrown by the attempted law for the destruction of the press, has not yet altogether subsided; and the decided hostility shewn by persons in power to this branch of commerce, has inspired a dread that, sooner or later, this same incubus of a law, in some shape or other, will be again attempted.

Professor Chiarenti, of Florence, has published two treatises on the following politico-economical subjects: 1. Whether a free importation of foreign corn be useful or injurious to Tuscany, in the actual state of Europe? 2. Examination on the arguments in favour of the unlimited liberty of the corn-trade, which have been urged by various members of the Georgofili Academy. Thus we see, that the same difficult question is debated on the banks of little Arno, as well as on those of the stately Thames.

The Abate Petroni, director of the census ordered by the Neapolitan Government to be taken of its Continental states, has just published the result of his investigations, under the title of Statistica de reali domini di quà dal faro;' part 1., 4to. Naples. 1826.

De Weltz, the author of a work on political economy styled 'La Magia del Credito,' which made a great sensation in Italy, has published, at Naples, an account of Mac Adam's method of road making, as applicable to Sicily, where roads are almost unknown. I vol., 4to. Naples. 1826.

At Milan, Major Vacani, of the Italian corps of Engineers, has just completed the publication of his work, styled, Storia delle Campagne e degli assedii degl' Italiani in Ispagna, dal 1808 al 1813,' 3 vols., 4to.; with plans and an atlas. This work has been undertaken at the express desire of the Archduke John of Austria, to whom it is dedicated. It contains an accurate history of the various campaigns of Catalonia, Aragon, and Valencia, in which provinces the Italian division, serving with the French, was chiefly employed, and of the sieges of Barcelona, Rosas, Zaragoza, Gerona, and Taragona. In the latter part of the war, these Italian troops had to fight against other Italians and Sicilians serving in the English army commanded by Lord Wm. Bentinck. The Italian troops sent at various periods to Spain, by the kingdom of Italy alone, during the whole war, amounted to thirty thousand men; of these only nine thousand ever returned to Italy. Of the contingent of ten thousand sent by the kingdom of Naples, only eighteen hundred returned; Piedmont, Tuscany, Genoa, Parma, Rome, united to the French empire, sent also their regiments to swell the ranks of the French army, and to share its dreadful losses; a melancholy waste of brave men, for a cause foreign to their native country! However, many officers distinguished themselves in those destructive wars, and the present work records their names, their deeds, and their hard-earned honours.