in the field of battle that I gained and From another part of the work, it Tablettes de la Reine D'Angleterre, &c. He thus describes his family: 'I was born at Creone, of noble parents. The hospital of the town was founded by my ancestors, and it is well known that the right of making pious foundations belonged, formerly, in Italy, only to the most illustrious fa milies. per-he trembles at my sight, and even endeavours to anticipate my orders. At present, the Turk Mahomet, more H. R. Hss. at the least sign that I make, a humanized by half, repeats, even before dance very common in India, which the Spaniards have imitated in their bolero, and that the Turks are remarkably fond of. 'Nothing in the work can be more grotesque than to see a man, whose looks are disgusting, and whose figure is far from being handsome, agitate himself, slacken his motions, rise and fall in cachange place with agility, hasten and dence, advance with measured step, and retire as modesty would shrink back at an insult offered. These kind of sports are much in vogue at present at the Baronna, and, according to all appearances, the Turk Ma homet will not want for occupation. But I dwell too long, my dear general, on such a subject; I have scarcely left As this is only a preliminary article myself room to renew to you the expres on this highly curious and interesting sion of the friendship I have vowed for work; we shall conclude it with a trans-you; never shall I forget the moment lation of one of his letters to General Borgia, at Naples : 'De la Baronna, 15th Dec. 1816. charges me to express to you her gratiMy Dear General,-H. R. Hss, tude for the pains you have taken in procuring the information she wished to obtain; it is impossible to confer a favour with a greater grace. I address you, from the Baronna. H. R. Hss. has been graciously pleased to visit this little domain, which I partly owe intended remaining two days, but the sito her generous presents; at first she only tuation pleasing her, and the house being commodious, she staid longer; besides, the milk and fruits of this part of the country are excellent, the air is salubrious, and its proximity to Milan adds to its charms; 1, therefore, am induced to hope, that H. R. Hss. will deign to honour it a second time with her presence. You will readily conceive, my dear general, that I omitted nothing to make the Baronna wear the air of a fete during H. R. Hss's. residence: a little ball, got up without any seeming preparation, seemed to please her much. You must know that, like monarchs of former ages, we have a buffoon in our suite. This 1 must explain to you. On our return from the Holy Land, I was shewn at Jaffa, a man called Mahomet, a kind of savage, more man than ourang outang, but quite as uncivilized, untractable, and wild; he inspired fear, but never felt it; disliking labour, he became a stable boy, taking care of travellers' horses, which he could break and master admirably. The persons he was with, desiring, no doubt, to get rid of him, persuaded me to get him into the service of H. R. H. and I got her to take him as groom. He left without either pain or pleasure; I alone have been able to master his savage tem when, visiting me on my sick bed at Naples, you delivered me the brevet of Captain of Lancers. Had it been possible for me then to accept the honourable serin the war just concluded, in which I, vice offered me, I should have taken part perhaps, might have distinguished myself in following your steps. I conclude. Adieu, dear general, preserve me always a place in your valuable friendship. B. PERGAMI.'' The work contains many curious anecdotes of Baron Ompteda, Sir WilMiss Forbes, Lady Charlotte Lindsay, liam Gell, the Hon. Keppel Craven, &c. from which we shall make selections for the concluding article of this [IT has long been a reproach to this country, that neither our temples nor our monuments can be seen by either subjects or foreigners, except at an expense which must keep them concealed from a great proportion of the residents and visitors of the British metropolis. The Tower, we believe, cannot be seen at a less expense than half a guinea. At St. Paul's, you are made, at almost every step, to pay twopences, sixpences, &c. until they amount to five or six shillings; unless you go during divine service, when you save→ twopence. Westminster Abbey costs you halt a crown, independent of a gratuity to the exhibitor, who, before he has finished, assures you that he has nothing but what he gets from the generosity of the visitors. We might enumerate the Monumentthe Roman Catholic Chapel in Moorfields, &c.; but, in fact, there is nothing in London worth seeing, for which you must not pay dearly, the BRITISH MUSEUM excepted. And yet there appears to be In respect of applications for admission to the Reading Room, they have been, as nearly as possible, commensurate with the admissions. No refusal having been ever given even to persons unknown or unrecommended; but the application postponed till the person applying could furnish the required reference. a disposition to complain of the limited view the collection. Since 1816, the The Report states the applications to see the minerals not generally shewn have been either for the private view of a party of visitors, or more generally for the inspection of a single class of minerals or even an individual specimen by some geologist. In all which cases, the officer of the department has always granted the request. In the case of the Medal Room, Tuesday, from twelve till four in every week, was fixed, by the trustees in 1814, for the exhibition of Coins and Medals to persons making particular applica'tion to see them. But in all cases where inquiry was made by collectors, or by persons for literary or other useful purposes, they have been immediately shewn by the keeper of the Antiquities and Medals; referring those parties only to the principal Librarian's permission who were desirous of seeing the collection without any particular object.' Since the extensive thefts committed in 1906, access to the collection of Prints was closed until they could be arranged and fastened in port-folios. After that arrangement was completed, one day in each week was set apart to 'Every student sent by the keeper of the Royal Academy, upon the production of his academy ticket, is admitted without further reference to make his drawings; and other persons are occasionally admitted, on simply exhibiting the proofs of their qualification. According to the present practice, each student has leave to exhibit his finished drawing, from any article in the Gallery, for one week after its completion. 'AMOUNT OF ANNUAL SALARIES 'Under and Assistant Librarians.-Each bound by the statutes to give two days attendance in the week to the duties of their respective offices: The admissions to the Reading Room have been of three descriptions.-The first, consisting of persons admitted as students for the full term, by the Standing Committee. The second, of persons who have, for special purposes, received admission for a shorter term, above the space of a day, and not exceeding a fortnight: these permissions have been granted by the Principal Librarian. The 'Under Librarians.-1. Henry Ellis, Esq. third description consisting of persons keeper of the manuscripts. Salary 2001. who have made casual and momentary per annum for two days attendance. Extra researches only, such as inquiring after a allowance for two additional days in the single book or manuscript, a fact or a week (at the rate of 751. per annum for date, or who have had permission to con- each day*) 1501.-(He is also secretary.) sult particular articles for a morning.-2. The Rev. H. H. Baber, keeper of Of this last description no record or re- the printed books. Salary, 2001. per angister whatever has been preserved. num for two days. Extra allowance for two other days, 1501.-3. Charles Konig, Esq. keeper of the natural history. Salary, 2001. per annum, for two days. Extra allowance for three other days, 2251.-4. Taylor Combe, Esq. keeper of the antiquities, including coins and medals. SaJary, 2001. per annum for two days. Extra allowance for three other days, 2251. The number of tickets of admission and renewal to the Reading Room, for the full term allowed by the Standing Committee, for the last five years, has 'A. D. 1816 1817 1818 1819 1820 ... 292 477 503 Making a total of.. 251 'Assistant Librarians.-1. The Rev. T. Maurice, assistant keeper of the manu scripts. Salary, 1201. per annum. No extra allowance.-2. The Rev. James Bean, assistant keeper of the printed books. Salary, 1201. per annum. Extra allowance for two additional days of duty, 1501. -3. Dr. Leach, assistant keeper of the natural history. Salary, 1201. ́ No extra allowance at present, being absent upon account of illness.-4. John George Children, Esq. assistant keeper of the antiquities. Salary, 1201. Extra allowance for three additional days, 2251. 'Extra Assistant Officers.-Each bound to five days attendance in the week: The statute for the admission of Students to the Gallery of Sculptures being 'Dr. G. H. Noehden, in the departamong those required by the order of the ment of printed books. Salary, 2001. levant to add, that the number of students House of Commons, it may not be irre-Extra allowance for an additional day, 751. Mr. J. T. Smith in the department of who were admitted to make drawings in antiquities. Salary, 2001. No extra althe Townley Gallery, from the year 1809 lowance. to the year 1817, amounted to an average of something more than twenty. In 1818, immediately subsequent to the opening of the Elgin Room, two hundred and twenty-three students were admitted; in 1819, sixty-nine more were admitted; and, in 1820, sixty-three. In 1821, from Jan. 1st to Feb. 20th, twentyfive. Making a total, since the opening of the room, of three hundred and eighty. ance on Saturdays, when employed, 5s. per day. 'There are also five attendants, who, under the direction of the librarians, perform all menial services in the different departments; their duty extending to five days in the week. These have each 751. per annum. There are likewise eight extra attendants, who are stationed on the three open days in every week in different parts of the house, to prevent any trespass or irregularity on the part of the companies; they are paid at the rate of five shillings per day each.' as that time cannot be allowed for an ap- 'Persons who apply for admission to · Every reader may, at the expiration of his term, apply for a prolongation of the same, without a fresh recommenda tion.' Poetical Portraits, No. III. 2222. BONAPARTE. We pass over the particular duties of each officer, but there does not appear to be any sinecure. The total amount of the extra allowance of the British Museum, during the last ten years, amounts to 1, 1361. In this period, catalogues have been made of the 200,000 volumes of which the Library of printed books consists; of the Lansdowne and Hargrave Collections of ON what foundation stands the warrior's pride? MSS.; and others are in preparation. How just his hopes? Let Bonaparte decide. Several volumes of descriptions of the A frame of adamant, a soul of fire, No dangers fright him, and no labours tire; Antiquities, Medals, &c. have also No joys to him pacific sceptres yield, been prepared in the same time. Eight War sounds the trump, he rushes to the field; officers of the Museum are lodged Behold surrounding kings their power combine, And some capitulate, and some resign; within its walls. The only perqui-Peace courts his hand, but spreads her charms sites they have is that of stationery, which amounts to an average of from 51. to Bl. each. In respect to the Rules for Admission, the Museum is open for public inspection every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, in every week, from ten o'clock till four, except in Christmas, Easter, and Whitsun weeks, on Thanksgiving and Fast Days, and during the months of August and September. in vain ; 'Think nothing gain'd,' he cries, 'till nought On Moscow's walls till Gallic standards fly, And all be mine beneath the polar sky.' The march begins in military state, And nations on his eye suspended wait; Stern famine guards the solitary coast, And winter barricades the realms of frost; He comes, nor want nor cold his course delay; Hide, blushing glory, hide Smolensko's day: The vanquish'd hero leaves his broken bands, And shews his miseries in distant lands; - The members of the Royal Academy, Condemn'd a needy supplicant to wait, and artists, as well professional as dilet- While ladies interpose and slaves debate. tani, may have access at all admissible But did not chance at length her error mend? times to copy from the sculptures in the Did no subverted empire mark his end? Gallery of Antiquities, upon application Did rival monarchs give the fatal wound? to the trustees, or to the principal libra-Or hostile millions press him to the ground, His fall was destined to a barren strand, rian, or the senior officer in residence; A petty island, and a dubious hand; but it is expected that young artists or He left the name at which the world grew pale, students produce recommendations from To point a moral or adorn a tale. a professor of the Academy.' The Reading Room of the Museum shall be kept open from ten till four every day in the week, except Saturdays and Sundays, and for one week at Christmas, Easter, and Whitsuntide, and on thanksgiving and fast days; and it shall be constantly attended by one of the librarians in the manner above directed. Persons desirous of admission into the said room are to send their applications in writing to the principal librarian, or, in his absence, to the senior under librarian; these officers are to lay the same before the next general meeting, or committce of trustees, who will, if they see no objection, grant admission for a term not exceeding half a year. But in all cases which may require such dispatch, Dr. Johnson. Original Communications. PAINTINGS IN PUBLIC BUILDINGS. SIR,-Whatever difference of opinion may exist in the minds of your correspondents, Mr. Parry and Mr. Price, or others, relative to the encouragement of paintings in places of worship, it will give me sincere pleasure to reconcile the matter so as to please all. And, in unison with my own sentiments, I believe all will feel. There are a great number of public institutions at the present day, and they have commodious places in which to transact their private and public business. Some of them are national and others are private property. The proposition which I bave to offer is, that such places should be decorated with the choice efforts of artists of every description, suitably to the nature and means of the institutions.' Corporate bodies particularly, and courts of justice also, might annually spare sufficient from their funds and fees to forward the object. There are walls enough in this populous city to contain the wonders of the divine art of painting; and while thousands of pounds are annually spent on less worthy objects, it would immortalize distinguished characters to encourage this. A new painting now and then in each of the old walls would be a most desirable acquisition, and without interfering with the portraits of aldermen and prime wardens, to cheer them up a little,' how refreshing would works of modern execution be in the society of ancient paintings. I have read some of the most beautiful poetry on a canvas leaf, and how valuable a book must magnificent walls, with light windows, contain?-I mean, full of paintings! But, Sir, the truth is, good eating and drinking are the last things an Englishman relinquishes; this is a reformation very desirable*, but which will scarcely happen except in a time of famine. But as there are many worthy citizens and opulent members of church and state, who see nothing in the times requiring charity, I advise them, who have the means in their purses, to be more liberal towards artists and the arts, and to eternize their own memories in the fruition of that which is not transient and perishable; then every public edifice would become hallowed, and every observer, in the survey, would tread on classic ground. Thou art lo SONO. THE OPINIONS ON THE of an auditory. I know not who is thy an infallible guide; the pretty heartcontemporary, for thou art above com- killing coquette makes a dozen conpetition. Thou art attached to the land quests in an evening, with the adroitenof cakes, for ever dwelling in Scotland. thusiasm which thou inspirest; the meThou residest in Hibernia's names, and thodist itinerant surveys the bountiful art honoured with a capital. Thou luxury of his benefactor's table, and art the strength of a town and the se- breathes thee over the delicious steam cond in a tower. Nothing is dear to and hunger-creating odour, Thou the lover or his mistress unless thy ex-risest on the wind from the perishing pressive force be applied to the lip with seaman's despair, and slippest round the fond emotion of the heart. The the corners of streets like a messenger, nurse, who sits patiently beside the cra- from the nervous throat of a dustman.' dle, or lulls her careful charge, the in- Yet, after thy thousand uses, abuses, fant upon her knees, in joy and sor- and ejaculations, thon, like the world, row, encouragement and impatience, art round but hollow. calls thee to atone for all misdeeds, sincere, too, and the last whisperer of misgivings, and deed-giving misses. dying lips. There is often more exYoung master cannot stride his rock-pressive truth breathed from thy one ing-horse and whip his servile top sigh, than millions can purchase. without thy indulgence and applica- Thou art the child of the acute pang, tion. The hen-pecking common--the child also of elastic joy. The councilman's lady, exclaims to her flower of true affection,-the tongue's dear partner, O how foolish !' and,' O last effort of life, the nearest fugitive what an unsensible man for a husband!' that lingers and dies from death. Her daughter, who, in London, is not afraid of an officer in the Guards, or a posse of constables in her papa's office, is the first to call O to her assistance at the sight of an industrious frog, leaping across the paddock for its dinner. O! what a treasurable virtue there is in gold, locks the miser in his secret and solitary chambers. Thou art a note of admiration; and the most admirable notes are indited by thee. Xerxes took thee on his tongue to the waves, Cicero to the senate, and Demosthenes to his cell. Kean formed thee to the appalling essence of beautiful sublimity and touching grandeur, in Brutus. judge gives the awful impression of his sentence to the criminal, when he says, Socrates, (as we are informed by O, young man!' and the exquisite, at meeting his acquaintance, O'Tom! is Xenophon.)-Whether you marry or O! What a useful, little, circular or the suspicious critic, O, not, is your affair, not mine. letter thou art! It would be a vain ef. thought so!' or the exasperated fa- whichsoever you do, you will every day fort of importance, if the crier were to ther, O thou arrant rascal!' or the have a hundred reasons to repent; for, attempt to issue his proclamation with shivering beggar, when ascending your if you do not marry, you will be inces out thee. It is with thy exquisite pa- unfortunate tradesman; or the piloso-euce attending a state of celibacy; steps, O sir! have pity on the poor santly complaining of the inconvenirenthesis that the cry of mackerel reaches the housewife's ears, and reminds her pher, O wonderful!' the clergyman, your imagination will want its object; O of the pot and larder during divine sinner! Though P is the first let you will be officiously painting the hap service. It is with thy accommodating ter of priority, yet in every dramatic piness you conceive to exist in a marfracas, whether of opposition or of old riage state, and you will sigh that you sound that the queen of the barrow pe- prices, thou art first pronounced, and cannot partake of it; and if you makest a drowning key. Thou art the marry, you will scarcely be in posses supreme concord to a lottery-office sion of a wife, before you wish you had keeper, because thou canst be nothing none. more than a cipher, and art ever ready to prove a blank. The school-boy screws thee into his mou h at the thought of castigation; the catholic priest draws thee from his breast on approaching the sacristry; the mathematician describes thee in his circles as I have so high a veneration for the art, that I wish to hear of orders for large paintings, and that the palette, the pencil, and the brush, might be in full exercise by every tracing hand and heaven-directing eye. I am, Sir, your's constantly. March 10, 1821. CANTAB. A FEW WORDS ON THE LETTER O! (FOR THE LITERARY Chronicle.) netrates the avenues of the kitchen. As the tenor bell is to cover the rest of a peal, so it is thy highly valued privilege to cover the intonations of bad grammar. As the first commences its career upon silence, so dost thou precede thy companioned letters, and call the attention * We confess we differ from our correspondent, and do not consider there can be any re formation as to good eating and drinking; the excess is the only evil.-ED. it you The MARRIAGE STATE. Euripides, the Greek Poet.-Happy is the man who hath a good wife; more happy is he who hath none, And again, whether in sickness or in health, a man will find his sweetest consolation in a loving wife; for, in that compound of good and evil, with which our life is blessed or cursed, she divides the one, and increases the other, by her diligent and frequently success ful cares. But, do Hipponar.-The two happiest days you pass with a wife are, the day on which you marry, and the day on which death walks off with her. Theodectes.-Old age and marriage are similar things. We desire both to happen, and when they grant our re quest, we are so ungrateful as to com- Cato, (as is said by Erasmus,) was of opinion, that the happiest condition of man was to be free from wedlock. But, however, we read in another author, that he was also of opinion, that though it is inconvenient to live with a wife, yet it is more so to live without one; therefore, a wife may be justly termed a necessary evil. Secundus. A wife (says he) is the shipwreck of her husband-a tempest at home the death of quietness-the captivity of life-a daily curse-a voluntary strife-a superfluous war-a ferocious guest-a malicious animaland a necessary evil. NORTHERN EXPEDITION. OUR readers are aware, that the expedition over land, towards the Polar Sea, under the conduct of Lieutenant Franklin, had arrived on the Athabasca Lake in June last. Upon this subject, the Gentleman's Magazine has published interesting extracts from a private communication, whence we seiect the following passages: invariably has to contend against, and ment, and one of my companions took 'You can easily imagine the plea- 'In the countries where these ani- I had a great treat on my rout in seeing the huge and shapeless buffalo (or bison of Buffon,) and witnessing the different methods of obtaining them. The most dextrous way is, when a well-mounted rider dashes at a herd, singles out an animal, which he contrives to separate from the rest, and by managing his horse keeps him apart; and whenever he can get sufficiently near for the ball to penetrate the hide, he fires, though going at full speed, and seldom fails in bringing down his mark. The principal danThe journey, a distance of eight gers on this service are, either that his hundred miles, was performed in two horse will fall into some of the numemonths. I need not describe to you, rous holes which the badger makes, or who are such a general reader, the that the enraged animal should turn mode of travelling with dogs and furiously round when wounded, and sledges; nor mention the inconvenien- gall his horse, or succeed in dismountcies produced by the severity of aing him. When the herd are particuNorth American winter; but I will larly on their guard, horses cannot be bear my testimony to the painful ini- used. The rider then dismounts, and tiation into the daily practice of walk-crawls towards the herd through the ing on snow shoes, the misery of pained snow, taking care to remain motionless ancles and galled feet, which a novice when any of them are looking towards him. You will easily imagine this service cannot be very agreeable, when mercury will freeze, which is often the case. Athabasca Lake is situate in 59 deg. N. lat.; and extends from 110 to 115 deg. W. long. It is surrounded by the dreary wilds of North America; which is solely inhabited by savage tribes of Indiana. It is bounded by the Ochipeway Indians and the Great Slave Lake on the north; by the Peace River, the Caribent Mountains, and the Strongbow Indians, on the west; the Great Athabasca River on the south; and by the dismal and solitary wilds of America on the east.-Hudson's Bay is about one hundred miles east of Athabasca Lake, and that great extent of territory is almost uninhabited and unknown. 'The Indians have another method by constructing a pound. The principal dexterity in this, consists in getting the animals once to enter the roadway-fear then urges them on, and many men are stationed at the head to dispatch them. We visited one of these places near an Indian encamp All the nations southward of this have suffered much this year, from the prevailing diseases which have raged amongst them, and carried off many, especially children. They have now gene rally recovered their strength, but not their spirits which are always depressed on the loss of relatives. There was an instance of keen sensibility exhibited here a few days ago by a whole tribe, which would be scarcely excepted insuch uninformed minds; they declined to pitch their tents this season on a spot where they had long been accustomed to do, for fear the circumstance should revive the moments of grief they had all experienced in the loss of many relations, or the place should remind them of past pleasures in the society of friends whom they were never to see again. This race of men, Chipewyans, are a mild, timid set of persons, excellently described in Hearne and Mackenzie's voyages. The cold was inore severe than has been for many years. Both the old stagers and Indians have complained very much. I have not experienced more severity than I was prepared to expect; when travelling, I could generally keep myself warm by walking. You would enjoy the clear frosty nights; the stars appear with uncom mon brilliancy, but the weather is too cold for making observations with any accuracy. The Aurora Borealis is occasionally very fine, and of the most variable kind, both in motion and colours.' |