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Premiums of the Royal Academy.

fied colours on glass for the large window of the Baron's Hall, now building at his grace's ancient patrimonial seat, Arundel Castle.

HAYDON's great work of Christ entering Jerusalem on an ass, accompanied by the multitude of believers, is in great forwardness, and promises to excel his Judgment of Solomon as much as that admirable picture surpassed his Macbeth of the preceding year. Sic itur ad astra! The Judgment of Solomon is now on public exhibition at Bath.

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FRANCE. Class of the Fine Arts.--At the sitting of the 28th January last, the members of this class of the institute filled up two vacant places in the corresponding members of their society. The majority of votes were in favour of M. A. L. Castellan, author of Lettres sur la Morée et sur l'Italie, and of many memoirs and dissertations on the fine arts; and the second place was given to M. Rousseau, architect, among whose public works is the palace of Salm at Paris, now occupied by the chancery of the Legion of Honour.

ROYAL ACADEMY OF PAINTING, SCULPTURE AND ARCHITECTURE.

The President and Council have announced Monday the 3d and Tuesday the 5th of April as the days of receiving works of art for the ensuing exhibition.

On the 10th of February, at a general meeting of the academicians, H. Raeburn, esq. of Edinburgh, and E. Bird, esq. of Liverpool, both associates of this Academy, were elected to the degree of Royal Academicians.

The President and Council of the Academy have just given notice to the Students, that the following premiums will be distributed on the 9th of December next, viz.

Painting For the best historical picture in oil colours, a gold medal, and fifty guineas, with the discourses of the Presidents, Sir Joshua Reynolds, and West.

The subject to be Apollo, Marpessa, and Ides:-" Apollo endeavouring to carry off Marpessa, is pursued by her husband Idas, armed and determined on revenge. On Jupiter's permission that she should remain with him whom she preferred, Marpessa throws herself into the arrus of her husband."--See Iliad, 9th book; Apollodorus, book 1 and 3, chap. 7; Pausanias, book 5, chap. 18.-To consist of not less than three figures; the size of the cloth to be a common half length, (four feet two inches by three

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feet four inches ;) the principal figure to measure not more than two feet in height, nor less than twenty inches.

Sculpture. For the best model of a Groupe in the round, a gold medal, and fifty guineas, with the discourses of the Presidents, Sir J. Reynolds, and West.

The subject to be-Eve entreating forgiveness at the feet of Adam. The principal figure to measure not more than two feet in height, nor less than twenty inches.

N. B. The Candidates to present their models either baked, or cast in plaister. Architecture.-For the best finished designs in Architecture, a gold medal, and fifty guineas, with the discourses of the Presidents, Sir J. Reynolds, and West.

The subject to be-a design for a Royal Palace. The whole comprised in one general and regular composition; the designs to be as large as an entire sheet of double elephant will admit, and not larger.

A number of silver medals to be given for the best drawings and models of Academy figures, done in the Royal Academy, and for the best accurate figured drawings of the front of Chiswickhouse, done from actual measurements, carefully finished and washed; to be as large as a whole sheet of double elephant will admit, and not larger; attested to be their own performance by any one of the Academicians, or any other professor of reputation resident in London.-The first medal in each of these classes, will be accompanied with a copy of the Lectures of the Professors Barry, Opie, and Fuseli, handsomely bound and inscribed.

Three silver medals will also be given for the best drawings, and three silver medals for the best models, of a statue or groupe in the Antique Academy, to be selected and set out by the Keeper for that purpose, on the 1st day of October next, for one month.-The first medal in each of these classes, will be accompanied with a copy of Fuseli's and Opie's Lectures, handsomely bound and inscribed.

The pictures, drawings, and models for all premiums, to be delivered to the Keeper of the Royal Academy on Monday the 16th of November next.

All the Students who are Candidates for the premiums of the gold medals are to attend on the 20th of November next, (at 10 o'clock in the forenoon) in the Royal Academy, in order to give a proof of their abilities, by making a sketch of a given subject in the presence of the

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Dramatic Register-Drury-Lane.

keeper. The time allowed for making these sketches to be five hours, from 10 till 3.-The candidates for the historical picture to make their sketches in oil colours.

All the students who are candidates for the premiums given for the Academy figures, are to enter their names in the keeper's book, on or before the 11th of October next, and to begin making their drawings or models, on the 16th of Oc tober, when the visitor will be desired to set the model in the same attitude for six nights successively, and on the 23d of October, the model will be placed in another attitude, and continue the same during six nights. Candidates for the premiums to be given for drawings or models from the antique, must enter their names on or before the 1st of October.

The drawings or models done in the Academy are to be left with the keeper. Mr. YOUNG, mezzotinto engraver to H. R. H. the Prince Regent, has completed engravings from a series of cabinet pictures transmitted by the late Sultan Selim, being portraits of the emperors of

[March 1,

Turkey, from Othman, founder of the imperial family, to Selim the 28th emperor. The originals were found in the imperial treasury at Constantinople, and copied by a Greek peasant, whose extraordinary natural talents had gained him the patronage of the Grand Siguor. The inventive talent of this ingenious Greek has supplied to each portrait a vignette generally exhibiting some remarkable occurrence in the life of the emperor. The portraits are executed with fidelity, spirit and taste, and the vignettes are not less remarkable for their variety than for correctness of drawing, pleasing tone of colour, characteristic simplicity and delicate minuteness. This undertaking, commenced on the account of Selim, was arrested by his dethronement and death, when Mr. Young determined to proceed with it at his own risk, The whole forms a splendid folio volume. The portraits are printed in colours, with such care that each becomes a fac-simile of the picture. A biographical account of each subject in French and English is an nexed. No more than 150 copies will be printed.

DRAMATIC REGISTER.

DRURY LANE.-Feb. 1, the comedy of As You Like It was performed at this theatre, for the purpose of introducing Miss Walstein in the character of Rosalind. There cannot be a better tribute paid to the talents of this lady than is to be found in the progressive improvement she has made in the favourable estimation of the town, in every new opportunity of displaying her knowledge and execution in the histrionic art. We were pleased with her Letitia Hardy; her Lady Teazle was a masterly perform ance; and her Lady Restless exhibited talents most peculiarly her own: but her Rosalind we have no hesitation to pronounce a more favourable specimen, and a nearer approach to perfection than any other comic character she has hitherto attempted upon the London boards. The archness, playfulness, and naiveté, so requisite to the due performance of the character, were displayed with the utmost delicacy of taste, and produced a most bewitching effect. She maintained throughout a sufficient degree of animation, and many of the most striking passages were delivered with the greatest felicity. The playfulness of manner with which she executed the "Cuckoo Song" was really enchanting, and obtained for her strong testimonies of approbation, and we never witnessed

a louder or more unanimous encore.Miss Mellon's delineation of the charac ter of Audrey was excellent.

Feb. 3, Miss Walstein performed, for the first time, the character of Lady Townly. Her representation of this pors traiture of female high-life was admirable, and she received the well-merited applause of the audience throughout.

Feb. 13, Mr. Morton's play of Town and Country was brought out, in a manner to display the talents of the house in comedy; and we may say with truth, that the company, when brought forward, and placed each in their proper sphere, could represent our standard comedies in a style never surpassed at any former period of the stage. The great and leading attraction was Mr. Kean, in Reuben Glenroy, a young philosopher, alarmingly addicted to climbing mountains and toppling on precipices; fond of recruiting his enthusiasm by staring at cataracts and rising suns; and, at the same time, a very perfectionist in morality, both in the theory and the practice. Yet, with all the strong and offensive improbabilities to overwhelm the interest, the character rose in Mr. Kean's delineation into no slight occasional vigour. His interview with his brother at the gaming house, and the developement of his love story to the supposed seducer of his mis

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Dramatic Register-Covent Garden.

tress, were among the number of his striking displays; and the acclamations which followed the close of the performance were equally honourable to the audience and the actor.

COVENT GARDEN.-Feb.1, a new opera was produced, entitled Brother and Sister. The piece is, as we understand, from the Spanish, and certainly possesses much merit. A Don Sylvio loves a Spanish widow of rank, Douna Isidora (Miss Stephens.) The lover is timid, and the lady philosophic and chill enough to alarm even courage. The sister of Don Sylvio then comes in aid, introduces herself as a domestic in his family, and inforins Donna Isidora that a serious affront was intended to be put on her, that the person who is to come forward as her suitor is a female,-and that when her heart has been won, the disguise is to be thrown off, and the fair widow to be ridiculed by Camilla, the sister of Don Sylvio. The plot now proceeds spiritedly. The lover (Duruset) arrives, and is received in all formality by Don Christoval, the uncle, who is unacquainted with the disguise, but treated with the most extravagant and embarrassing cordiality by Isidora. The astonishment of the old Spaniard at the ardour of his philosophic niece increases into farce. The second act opens with a banquet, at which the Countess displays a tenderness which gives umbrage to her uncle's dignity. He remonstrates apart, and she to clear herself avows the secret, de claring at the same time her intention of inducing the impostor to take some of those liberties which may give excuse for Don Christoval's drawing his sword upon her, and forcing a full confession on her

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knees. The old Count enters eagerly into the scheme, lingers behind until Isidora has pledged her faith, and ber lover has flung his arms round her in gratitude. He then rushes forward, insists on satisfaction for the insult, and compels Sylvio to draw. His sword once out, the lover gives evidence that he has learned its use, and to the horror of his antagonist, begins to lunge with a vigour from which he has no resource but in flight. The denouement presses on. Sylvio is entreated to lay aside his usurped dress, and appear the woman that she is. In the midst of his surprise at this inexplicable change, his sister Camilla comes in, and Isidora, overpowered with confusion, completes the vow she had made to her lover.

The music is by Bishop and Reeve.

The piece was received throughout with great applause, and was given out for repetition without a dissentient voice.

Feb. 3, Mr. Mathews made his appearance at this Theatre, for the first time since his accident, in the character of Buskin, in Killing no Murder. He was received with the most rapturous applause; he is still a little lame, but not so in his acting, he never having at any period supported that or any other character with more spirit and humour. The audience were kept in a roar nearly the whole time he was upon the stage.

ORATORIOS. - The Oratorios commenced on Jan. 30, for the season. At Drury Lane Mad. Sessi, from the King's Theatre, has been added to the vocal department. She sung the first verse of "God save the King" with tolerable correctness of pronunciation, and was encored.

REPORT

ON THE PROPOSED IMPROVEMENT OF LONDON BRIDGE. IN consequence of an order of the city, directed the Clerk of the Works, Court of Common Council of Sept. 3, with such assistance as he might think 1812, it was referred to the Committee necessary, to examine the construction for letting the Bridge House estates, to and state of the bridge, and to report consider the petition of the owners and their opinion whether any of the piers navigators of craft upon the river Thames, might be removed and the arches adrepresenting that great loss both in lives joining to them laid into one, (as had and property, and great delay and incon- been suggested by the petitioners) with venience had been sustained in the na- safety to the bridge and so as to enlarge vigation of vessels through London Bridge, the water-way. The report drawn up in from the want of an adequate water-way, consequence and signed by GEORGE and praying that such alteration might DANCE, clerk of the works; WILLIAM be made as would remove the danger CHAPMAN, civil engineer; DANIEL ALEXand remedy the inconvenience com- ANDER, Surveyor to Rochester Bridge plained of. The select Committee de- and the Trinity House; and JAMES puted to investigate this subject, of no MOUNTAGUE, surveyor to the Committee Dean importance to a great commercial for improving the Port of London, was NEW MONTHLY MAG.-No. 14.

VOL. III.

Y

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Froposed Improvement of London Bridge.

delivered to the Court of Common Coun-
, Dec. 9, 1814, and ordered to be
printed for the use of the members.
The report is divided into four sec-
tions, adverting to-

1. The original construction of the bridge and such alterations as have taken place to the present period, so far as relevant to its stability, including the motives for carrying them into effect, and the arguments for maintaining the bridge as it is.

2. The ill consequences attendant on the present state of the bridge, the evidence in favour of an essential increase of water-way and the effects which would result from it.

3. The measures which have at different periods been recomm.ended for the protection of the bridge.

4. The alterations which the reporters recommen', together with their reasons in favour of the adoption.

We shall in the following pages present our readers with the most important results of these enquiries.

Loudon Bridge, which, according to Hawksmoor's History of it, published in 1736, was begun in 1176 and finished in 1209; was like other bridges erected in that period, built on piles driven into the bed of the river to what was then deemed a sufficient depth. The wooden platforms on these piles to support the stone piers, appear to have been laid at different heights above low water, probably increasing as the level of the water was raised by the progressive contraction of the river, not only by the construction of the wooden stilts on which they are placed, but by the farther contraction, occasioned by the necessary enlargement of the sterlings, arising from the bed of the river wearing down below what was deemed an expedient depth for the feet of the piles. Thus the causes and effects reciprocally combined to increase the difficulties of completing the bridge, which had obviously been great and attended with many partial failures, as will appear, from no two of the 19 arches being alike, as well as from the long period in which the work was effecting, which, after all, was so unstable, that 73 years after its completion five of the arches fell.

Respecting the construction and texture of the piles and piers, the reporters extract the information given in Dr. Hutton's Tracts on Mathematical and Philosophical Subjects, under the head of Queries concerning London Bridge, (1746) with the answers by the late

[March 1,

George Dauce, esq. The original width of the structure was from 20 to 24 feet 4 inches, till about 1759, when it was widened to its present extent of 48 feet.

The great contraction of the waterway by the progre-sive culargement of the sterlings to secure the foundation of the bridge, necessarily produced a greater excavation in the contracted passages, and also the necessity of throwing stones into them to prevent the foot of the sterlings from being undermined, and thus formed a fall of water by creating an artificial wier. This circumstance, as the city of London was in want of water for household uses, induced the Corporation to grant to a Company associated for that purpose liberty to construct water-wheels under several of the arches, to raise water for the supply of the city. The leases by which this right is secured to the Company had, generally, 263 years unexpired in 1814. The Corporation now found it incumbent on them to do nothing that should essentially diminish the power of these waterwheels; and in consequence a large sum of money has since been annually expended to maintain this fall of water, notwithstanding its injurious effects on the lives and property of those who had occasion to pass through it. This evil so seriously felt as to cause, in 1758, the removal of a sterling 34 feet wide, and its superincumbent pier 21 feet, and the formation of the present great arch over them and the two adjoining locks. Some relie was thus given to the navigation; but the power of the water-wheels was diminished, and the Corporation found it expedieut not only to allow the Water Company to occupy more arches with their wheels, but also to be themselves at a great charge to raise a sufficient weir to give the neces sary power to these wheels.

was

Besides these progressive alterations the bridge received a thorough repair between 1754 and 1770; so that with such farther improvement as the reporters suggest it might last for ages. "But," they emphatically add, "whilst it is used as a weir to pen up water, its annual repairs must be always considerable; the navigation must continue to be attended with the loss of a number of lives annually, and of property to the amount of many thousands; and also, in some extraordinary floqd, with the risk or moral certainty of total demolition. Its sole dependence now is on rubble stone, annually or even monthly cast into the locks, which every great flood or extra

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Proposed Improvement of London Bridge.

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ordinary tide displaces in a considerable he had known several bridges besides degree; and should any flood, either by its unusual duration have time to undermine the feet of the piles, or by its extraordinary height and consequent rapidity on the sudden meiting of snow and breaking up of a frost, generate such a velocity of current as the loose stones could not resist, the whole fabric would fall," as that at Hexham did from similar circumstances in 1782.

These deductions are not formed from hasty observation, or founded upon slight and insufficient authority. The late Mr. Mylne, in his evidence on the improvement of the port of Loudon, says, that " if, in such a winter as that of 1740, the ice, on its breaking up, should choak the smaller arches, the artificial substratum of the centre arch would give way, and the whole fall, as several old bridges have done." Mr. Rennie, engineer to the new Southwark Bridge, and whose professional talents have been displayed in various works or surveys in almost every part of Great Britain, said on the same occasion that "the sterling of the second pier from the large arch on the north side had most of its timber gone, and the rubble quite exposed to the face of the current; that had he seen any other bridge in the same situation, he should have thought it not likely to stand for any considerable time, that he had long thought the bridge to be in a dangerous tottering state, of which opinion were Mr. Mylne and other gentlemen he had consulted: notwithstanding which, by the considerable repairs which have been given to it, it still continues to stand; that he thinks the fall of Loudon Bridge would form a great dam, which would overflow the country above it. He farther said that "the bridge over the Tweed at Kelso, which he had known for 30 years, was supported by stone sterlings round its piers; that during one great ice flood it had four arches out of the six choaked with ice, and the current running between the narrow sterlings in the other two arches dug out the bottom and swept the whole away." He conceived that London Bridge, like the Bridge at Kelso, may give no warn ing, but tumble down at once; and declared that his opinious were formed on those of Mr. Mylne and Mr. Smeaton, who had often conversed freely with him on the subject; that as to the stone-work of London Bridge, he had no doubt of its durability, and provided the foundations stand, that a considerable part, but not the whole of it, would last for ages; that

that of Kelso carried away through want of a sufficient water way, which London Bridge does not possess; that the breaking up of floods is the time most likely for bridges to fall; that a bridge built over the Clyde at Glasgow fell suddenly in that way, the whole being down in perhaps less than half an hour, by which several loves were lost, and the town overflowed to a great extent; that it was a modern bridge of seven large arches, and that this event happened in 1796 or 7, owing to the foundation being undermined

To this satisfactory evidence respect ing the instability of London Bridge, must be added the testimony of men whose occupation on the Thames furmishes them with the best opportunities of estimating the loss of lives and property occasioned by this intolerable public nuisance. Among the evidence given before the House of Commons in support of the application for the Southwark Bridge, Mr. Antony Lyon, lighterman, stated the loss of lives in passing this bridge at 20 annually, and that of property at 40,000l. Mr. Robert Williams declared that 30 lives were lost in twelve months; Mr. Matthias had no doubt that the average loss for the 25 preceding years was 20,000l.; and Mr. Robert Letts declared that the occasion of so many accidents is because there is but one arch to go through, and the trade is so large that sometimes three or four hundred craft go through in a flood tide.

From the above and other evidence, the Report of the Committee of the House of Commons deduced the following results:-"That notwithstanding a large sum of money has been annually applied to the repairs of London Bridge, the methods employed to secure it have in several instances proved ineffectual; that the bed of the river suffers perpetual and increasing injury from shoals, occa sioned partly from the obstruction of the natural course of the tide, and partly from the dispersion of the materials employed for the purpose of strengthening the bridge; that for several hours in each day, the navigation downwards is impracticable for sinall boats, and ha"zardous even for large craft, and all navigation upwards totally prevented."

Such are the cogent arguments for the alteration or rebuilding of London Bridge, Those adduced in favour of maintaine it in its present state are these:-1. The great expense necessarily attendant on any enlargement of water way.

2. The

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