life. The GOLD MEDAL of the ROYAL ACADEMY was awarded to him in 1770 for a basso relievo of the RAPE of PROSERPINE.

Soon after these evident proofs of a genius highly promising, he was elected by the Academy to be sent to Rome as a student, at the expence of the institution. This election must have been peculiarly gratifying, as it was an attestation of the respect in which his talents were held at home, while it at the same time afforded him an opportunity of improving himself by a study of the finest remains of ancient Sculpture.

His visit to Rome took place in the year 1772. His principal works during his residence in that venerable Repository of the Arts was a basso relievo in marble of the Death of GERMANICUs, another of CARACTACUS before the Emperor CLAUDIUS, and a Statue of CUPID. The first is in the possession of T. Coke, Esq. at Holkham in Norfolk, the second enriches the memorable Collection of the Marquis of BUCKINGHAM at STOWE, and the Statue of CUPID is in a grotto belonging to the palace of the EMPRESS of RUSSIA at Czarsco-Zelo. Mr. Banks took this Statue himself to Russia in 1781, after it had been a subject of admiration to the connoisseurs of this country. The Empress gave Mr. Banks for this beautiful Statue 4000 roubles, or about 3801. of British coin. At this place Mr. Banks enjoyed the patronage of Lord Malmsbury and Prince Potemkin. For the latter he made a model for a Statue of the Empress, and returned to London after staying a year in Russia.

We cannot state the time when Mr. Banks became a member of the Royal Academy, but may presume it was soon after his return from Rome, as he had shewn such obvious proofs of superior genius as gave him a fair and indisputable claim to be admitted among the respectable Fraternity who belong to that admirable school for the advancement of British genius.

The first work after his return to this country was a monument to the memory of the late BISHOP NEWTON, whose character will always be remembered with regard, on account of his pious labours and great literary talents. It is placed in Bow Church, Cheapside, There is an elegant monument by Mr. Banks in Cripplegate Church, to the memory of Mrs. Hand.

But the first great public work from this Artist is the monument to Sir EYRE COOTE in Westminster Abbey, erected at the expence of the East-India Company, who at the same time raised a shrine expressive of their own taste in selecting Mr. Banks for the office of commemorating the exploits of the gallant veteran whose services so well entitled him to the grateful remembrance of his country. We shall not enter into a description of a work which no man of taste will be content without beholding; but we may just observe, that the figure of the MAHRATTA OF HINDOO CAPTIVE is one of the most beautiful exemplifications of national character that we ever saw. The whole is spirited, dignified, and appropriate.

Though we shall not presume to detail the beauties of Mr. Banks's art, because the public are so well acquainted with them, it would

evince a lamentable want of feeling if we were not to pause a moment on his exquisite SHAKESPEARE GROUP, placed in the front of that fine Repository of British Genius the SHAKESPEARE GALLERY in Pall-Mall. This piece may be considered as an admirable proof of the enthusiasm with which the Artist can enter into the conceptions of our immortal Bard. To the BOY DELLS much credit is due for the judgment they displayed in making choice of Mr. Banks on this occasion, as well as for their liberality in raising such a monument to the honour of the greatest Genius that ever illumed the world of poetry.

There is a charming work of THBTIS dipping the infant ACHILLES into the river Styx from Mr. Banks, and a wonderfully fine Colossal Statue of ACHILLES raving on the sea-shore, and invoking the assistance of his mother to avenge the loss of BRISEIS. The latter is modelled in terra cotta, and we lament that no man of taste and proportionate affluence commissions the Artist to give this exquisite Statue the durability of marble.

The general characteristics of Mr. Banks's works are grace, dignity, elegance, and expression,

In private life he is said to be distinguished for a composed, steady and thoughtful temper, analogous to the character of the pa tient ART that attaches him; though in his unbended moments he is represented as by no means insensible of merriment and humour.The best eulogium, however, we can allot to him, and one that, if we are rightly informed, is what he would prefer even to the highest tribute his professional excellence could receive, is the assurance that his moral character is not only untouched by the calumny of malice and envy, but held in great esteem by his friends and the public.

Mr. Banks, we understand, engaged in the connubial state early in life, and possesses no small portion of domestic felicity. His daugh ter is a very accomplished young lady, who displays a considerable degree of musical taste, and seems likely to exhibit the force of hereditary genius, as her drawings are already much admired. The Print annexed to this article is taken from a Picture by Mr. NORTH, COTE, distinguished for the fidelity and spirit which characterize the portraits of that Artist.

We cannot close this article better than by subjoining a beautiful tribute of parental tenderness from the pen of Sir BROOK BOOTHBY, in consequence of a monument made by Mr. Banks to the memory of the amiable Baronet's favourite daughter.

SONNET,

Well has thy classic chissel, BANKS, exprest
The graceful lineaments of that fine form,
Which late with conscious, living, beauty warm,
Now here beneath must in dread silence rest.

And, oh! while life shall animate this breast,
Recorded there shall dwell each matchless charm
In vivid colours, safe from change or harm,
Til my last sigh unalter'd love attest.

Her shape, to BEAUTY's nice proportion true,
The marble, cold, inanimate, retains;

But of that radiant smile which round her threw
Joys that beguil'd my soul of mortal pains,
And each divine expression's varying hue,
A little senseless dust alone remains.

A

THOUGHTS

ON

MODERN WIT.

"Life is a jest, and all things shew it,
"I thought so once, and now I know it."

-or

ND really, Mr. Editor, we are the wittiest people on earth.Every thing serious and sacred is made a jest of.-To come to an untimely end, is only " to go off at the drop"-and to die in one's bed is "to kick the bucket." To be on the verge of bankruptcy, a situation not the most desirable, is only to be dished-and there are above fifty pretty, witty, genteel, and soft, expressions, to denote that imitation of brutality, drunkenness. A man is affronted if you tell him that he was drunk on such a day; but he takes it as a compliment, if you insinuate that he was a little groggy""how came you so?" To accuse a gentleman of adultery would probably produce a challenge; but to whisper that he has had " an affair of gallantry" with Lady -, is the most pleasing flattery. Should you be so very dull, and stupid, as to accuse another of murder, it is ten to one but he brings you into a court of King's-Bench ; whereas, if you praise him for behaving as a man of honour when he pinked the fellow whose wife or daughter he had debauched, he will shake hands with you most cordially.

Indeed, sir, this is carrying things too far. It is being witty overmuch, when by such fine and polite expressions we familiarize ourselves to crimes, which never ought to be mentioned without abhorrence. The proper subjects for the exercise of wit seem to be exhausted, and proper places are changed for others not quite so proper. Hence we hear of a roar of laughter in the Senate-a general smile on the face of the whole congregation in a church; and a good joke, which makes even the judges laugh, in a Court of Justice !--While our playhouses are as dull as conventicles, and our plays contain every thing except that which provokes mirth. To modern tragedies, indeed, I allow a certain portion of the vis comica: but no thanks to the author, for it is the audience who make their own entertainment here.

R

MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS TO QUEEN ELIZABETH.

DATED ST. JOHNSTOWN, THE 14th JUNE, 1565.

ICHT excallent, richt heich, and michtie Princesse, oure derest suster and cousign, recommend us unto zow. For certaine maters of emportance tending to the mantenance and conservation of the guud intelligance and amytie standing betwixt us, we have presantlie direct towards zow the berair heirof, oure trusty and weill belovit counsalour Maister John Hay, Commendatore of Balmerynoch, oure principal Maister of Requestes; praing zow therefore, guud suster, to grant him audience, and in sic things as he sall declair unto zow on oure behalfe, to gif hym firme crydet as unto oure self. And sa richt heich, richt excellent, and michtie Princesse, oure derest suster and cousign, we comit zow to the tuytion of Almichtie God. Given under oure Signet at oure town of St. Johnestown, the xiiij day of Juny, and of oure Regne the xxiij zeir. Youre suster and cousign,

MARIE R.

QUEEN ELIZABETH TO SIR NICHOLAS THROGMORTON,

TRUS

HER AMBASSADOR IN SCOTLAND.

RUSTY and well beloved we greete you well. Though we thinke, that the causes will often change upon varietie of acci dents, yet this we thinke for sundry respects not amisse. That as you shall deale with the Lordes having charge of the yong Prince*, for the committing of him unto our Realme, so shall you also do well in treaty with the Queen to offre her that, where her Realme appearith to be subject to sundry troobles from tyme to tyme, and thereby (as it is manifast) her sone cannot be free from perill, yf she shall be contented, her sone may enjoy surty and quietness within this owre Realme, being so neare as she knaweth it is, we shall not faile, but yeld to her as good savety therein, for her sone, as can be devised for any that might be owre childe, born of owre own body, and shall be glad to shew to her therin the trew effect of natural friendshippe.And hierin she may be by yow remembrid, how muche good may ensew to her sone to be noorished and acquainted with our Realme,— and therfor, all things considered, this occasion for her sone were rather to be sought by her and the freends of hym, then offrid by us. And to this ende we meane, that you shall so deale with her, both to stay her in act from inclyning to the Frenche practise (which is to us well known to conveye the Prince into France) and also to avoide any just offence that she might hereafter conceive if she should heer that we should deale with the Lordes for the Prince. 14 July, 1567.

(Signed)

ELIZABETH R.

Afterwards King James the First of England.

A SPEECH

DELIVERED TO THE WORSHIPFUL AND ANCIENT SOCIETY
OF FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS,

At a GRAND LODGE, held at Merchant's Hall, in the City of York, on St. John's Day, December 27, 1726.

THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL CHARLES BATHURST, ESQ. GRAND-MASTER. BY THE JUNIOR GRAND WARDEN.

DEAR BROTHER,

TH

Olim meminisse juvabit.

TO DANIEL DRAPER, ESQ.

HAT this discourse sees the light, is chiefly owing to your candid reception of it at the rehearsal. I can no where, therefore, pitch upon a patron more interested (1 may say) in its protection. A superior command has since wrung it from me; and, as I hope you will bear me witness, with reluctancy enough. I am sorry to say, that I am afraid the Lodge has trusted too much to your judgment, though that exceeds mine as far as an extempore harangue can a studied speech,

Since I mean it entirely for the good of my brethren, I am no ways in pain what the rest of the world shall think of it; because we all know none but a Mason can thoroughly understand it. It is hard we have but a negative to all the invectives daily bestowed upon us; and yet, as mens sibi conscia recti, silence is the best way of answering those angry sophisters, who because they cannot unloose the knot, would gladly cut it asunder.

And now I, as the Lodge's proper officer, am ordered in this public inanner to return you their unfeigned thanks for the great honour you have twice done them; and I should very much wrong their trust to neglect it. I should now also go on, according to the constant practice of epistles dedicatory, to say some very fine things without sense or meaning: but as flattery is no ways inherent to Masonry, as a Brother, pardon me if I only say this, that we know a genius, which, were it placed in a proper station for its exertion deservedly its due, might not only be a credit to the Fraternity in particular, but an honour to our whole country,

"And stand the foremost in the rank of fame."

I am, Sir, ever cordially yours,

RIGHT WORSHIPFUL GRAND-MASTER, AND BRETHREN,

YOU, Sir, and all of you, know, that I have had the honour to bear the office of one of the Grand-Wardens to this Society for this last year; and by that office I am not only particularly obliged to take care that, during my administration, neither the revenues nor the arcana of the Lodge be either embezzled or exposed to vulgar eyes; but I do think it also my duty, before I resign my place, at least, Sir, since I have your commands for it, to remind you of some things relating to human society in general, as well as to this our most antient Lodge in particular.

How unequal a task I have taken upon myself, will, I am afraid, but too evidently appear by the sequel. A young brother pretending to dictate on two such sublime subjects to older and wiser heads than his own, can admit of no excuse but that I have just now mentioned. I would not in this be thought to derogate from the dignity of my office; which, as the learned Verstegan observes, is a title of trust and power, Warden and Guardian being synonymous terms; yet, as you are no strangers to public assemblies, and cannot but observe the awe they VOL. II, S s