merchant in Lisbon, and a great monopolist; having had for seveval years, the exclusive trade in tobacco, diamonds, salt, &c.

The Praça do Roçio, or the great Inquisition square, is immediately behind this, it is used as a parade ground, and has on it it many fine buildings. In one of the rows of the square is the regency house, where that body transacts their business, and from this square you view the surrounding heights, covered with ancient castles and ruined monasteries, which impart much interest to the scenery.

One of the most prominent features in this view, on a commanding eminence, is the ancient convent of the Carmelites, now in ruins-fifteen hundred souls, whilst performing their orisons, were involved in its destruction, and two friars were burnt to death in the awful calamity that succeeded that most dreadful earthquake. I conversed with an old priest, who with a few of his order, still inhabited the ruins, and inquired of him, why they did not proceed in those repairs already commenced. He told me, whilst the tears rolled down his reverend cheeks, the ruffian French invaders had robbed them of their last moidore, but that they would still cling to their ruins as faithful and affectionate children to a parent, who for so many years, had kindly fostered and protected them. I often find myself lingering among the many melancholy ruins of Lisbon, and imbibing the gloom that reigns throughout them. I delight in frequenting those spots, where the illustrious are entombed, and where orders of society, distinguished for their sanctity and benevolence have flourished; the mind partakes of the sadness of the scene, and awakens, strengthened by the contemplation of the viscissitudes of life.

The highest hill in the city of Lisbon begins at the western limit of the town, and extends to the Rua de San Bento. It is celebrated for its salubrious air, whence the name of BuenosAyres is given to one of its streets, meaning, in Spanish, good airs. Here there are many handsome houses, and foreigners generally live here, the situation being so very fine and agreeable. The streets are, however (as is the case in many other parts of Lisbon) in some places so steep, that the labour in walking them is very great, and during the heavy rains, the waters rush down the hills with such violence, that they are often rendered impassable, and instances have occurred, of men and

horses being carried away by the torrent, and precipitated into the river. There is, however, one very great advantage growing out of this evil; the streets are well cleansed of the filth which is continually collecting, and of which nature is the only scavenger. On this hill stands the new convent, O Convento novo, built by the queen, and dedicated to the Heart of Jesus; it has a commanding appearance, and can be seen at a considerable distance. It is constructed of white free-stone, but is overloaded with ornaments. Accompanied by a Portuguese gentleman, I spent an hour in this church, examining its beauties. I there saw the tomb that had been made for the queen by her own command. It is of fine black marble, highly polished, and inlaid with golden letters; and, as the queen expects to breath her last in Rio Janeiro, the artist is to have the honour of being entombed in this gloomy and doleful looking receptacle..

The church and convent of San Pedro d'Alcantara form an extensive mass of building, and contain a vast number of friars. Above the door of one of the apartments is a curious allegorical painting of a friar; over his eyes there is a bandage, indicating that he should be blind to the allurements of vice; a padlock on his mouth and heart, that nothing impure should enter or proceed from them; in one hand, a torch to light him into the path of truth; in the other a cord with which to punish himself, and lastly, manacles around the ancles to prevent him straying where he should not. This, I should presume, would have a much better effect in impressing their minds with a lively image of virtue and decorum than any lectures could possibly have. In the same convent is a group of friars, as large as life, carved in wood, by one of the order. There are seven figures represented in their accustomed dresses, bewailing over the dead body of St. Francis; the whole group is admirably executed, and their several countenances are expressive of the most poignant anguish.

I have been this morning in the church of St. Roque viewing those justly celebrated mosaic pieces, with also the splendid altar of St. John; the whole from Rome: but I must defer a description of them to another opportunity-in the interim and ever,

NOTICE OF MR. CLYMER.-FOR THE PORT FOLIO.

At a meeting of the directors and members of the Pennsylvania Aca demy of the Fine Arts, on Monday evening, March 8th, the president, Joseph Hopkinson, Esquire, delivered the following Address, on the occasion of the death of George Clymer, Esq. the late president.

GENTLEMEN,

The reputation of every man must, eventually depend on the conduct of his life, and not on what friendship or envy may proclaim of him after his death. Yet, either as a decent homage to departed worth, or as an impressive lesson to those who survive, custom has established, perhaps not unwisely, a practice of making some particular notice of the life and services of distinguished men, when they have finished their earthly career, and the book of their good and evil deeds is closed. In compliance with a custom, so respectable by its antiquity, and so grateful in its observance, as well as in the indulgence of a sincere affection and respect for the late president of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, the directors of that institution have desired to offer some testimonial of their sense of the worth of that excellent man, and of the loss they have sustained by his death. It is for this purpose, and in obedience to a resolution of the board of directors, I now address you.

It is neither my intention nor the wish of those whose will I execute, to pronounce a laboured or extravagant eulogium on the deceased. Such exhibitions do no honour to the sincerity of those who make them, and still less to the object of the panegyric. Honest praise best suits an honest reputation; and virtue is never commended by fulsome flattery. It is the food of vanity which the pure and upright heart disdains. It insults the understanding of the wise, and nauseates the appetite of the good. We will speak then of our departed president, with that simplicity which was a marked feature of his character, and that integrity which governed every action of his life. As this notice of him is intended only for this place, and the members of this institution, we shall contemplate the private rather than the public man, and give our attention to the qualities which displayed themselves in his intercourse with us, rather than those

which connected him with his country and the world. With this view of the subject it is obvious my duty is a circumscribed one, and the performance of it requires but a brief attention.

The establishment of an academy for the fine arts in this city was a design so entirely new, that it had never presented itself even to the imagination of our citizens; and, when first proposed, many were at a loss to conjecture its object and uses, While public improvements of various descriptions were rapidly advancing; while establishments for the promotion of the useful arts were rising daily, the erection of an institution for the cultivation of the fine arts seems to have been wholly overlooked. It is true that many years since an ill-digested attempt at something of this kind was made, but it was a mere abortion, and disappeared even before its existence was generally known. In the year 1805 the design was resuscitated on a plan more liberal and enlarged, and not exposed to the causes which produced the failure of the former effort. A number of gentlemen embarked zealously in the undertaking, which was soon supported by a liberal public patronage. Still the practicability of the scheme was denied by some, and doubted by many. In order to ensure its success it was necessary to obtain the confidence of our fellow citizens, not only in the usefulness, but in the feasibility of the project. We well know that the mass of any people, however intelligent and enlightened, have neither the time, the inclination, nor perhaps the ability, to decide for themselves upon matters not in the course of their ordinary inquiries and pursuits. If every man well understands and diligently attends to his own peculiar business it is as much as can usually be expected, or ought to be required. When, therefore, a subject is presented for their approbation and aid, which is altogether beside their customary occupations and reflections, it derogates nothing from their independence or self-respect that they should refer their opinion to others who have attended to the thing more particularly, and in whose judgment and integrity they have a just and merited confidence. It is, for this reason, of the utmost importance, that in the commencement of a novel institution, which calls upon the public for support, it should be countenanced and recommended by men on whom the

public have an entire reliance; on whose judgment they may properly hang their faith, and on whose recommendation they may prudently afford their money. With such impressions and views Mr. Clymer at once presented himself to the founders of this academy as a person eminently qualified and entitled to be placed at its head. The experiment justified the choice. He had received, and for many years enjoyed, the most important and unequivocal testimonies of confidence and respect. At different periods of our national history, from the first bold step which was taken in the march of independence, to its full and perfect consummation in the establishment of a wise and effective system of government, whenever the virtue and talents of our country were put in requition, Mr. Clymer was found with the selected few to whom our rights and destinies were committed. When posterity shall ponder on the declaration of July, 1776, and admire, with deep amazement and veneration, the courage and patriotism, the virtue and self-devotion of the deed, they will find the name of Clymer there. When the strength and splendour of this empire shall hereafter be displayed in the fulness of maturity (heaven grant we reach it) and the future politician shall look at that scheme of government by which the whole resources of a nation have been thus brought into action; by which power has been maintained, and liberty not overthrown; by which the people have been governed and directed, but not enslaved or oppressed, they will find that Clymer was one of the fathers of the country from whose wisdom and experience the system emanated. Nor was the confidence which had grown out of his political life and services, his only claim to the station which he held in this institution. Although his modest unassuming spirit never sought public displays of his merit, but rather withdrew him from the praise that was his duc; yet he could not conceal from his friends nor his friends from the world the extraordinary improvement of his mind. Retired, studious, contemplative, he was ever adding something to his knowledge, and endeavouring to make that knowledge useful. His predominant passion was to promote every scheme for the improvement of his country, whether in science, agriculture, polite education, the useful or the fine arts. Accordingly we find