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Account of Becker's Augusteum.

avail themselves of the facility of con-
templating faithful and elegant copies
when they are prevented from examin-
ing the originals. After the total sus-
pension of all intercourse with the Bri-
tish islands for several years, it is but
fair to presume that the numerous
friends and connoisseurs of antique art
will rejoice to learn, that while the con-
tinent was totally cut off from England,
a work was completed, the early parts
of which, though they appeared at a
time when the communication was still
open, yet could scarcely have found
their way thither, because, in a work of
such extent, purchasers choose rather to
wait for the publication of the whole,
than to take it in detached portions. The
first part contains the Egyptian antiqui-
ties, among which are the admirable
mummies of della Valle, which, when in
the Palazzo Chigi at Rome, were styled,
on account of their magnificent gilding
and various ornaments, the King and
Queen of Egypt. These two mummies
are exquisitely coloured, and copied with
the most scrupulous fidelity from the
originals. Next come those monuments
of the more ancient Grecian style, so
celebrated among antiquaries, the trila-
teral pedestal for a tripod, with the re-
presentation of the plundering of the
Temple of Apollo by Hercules, and the
consecration of the quiver; the admira-
ble torso of Minerva with the peplus, in
the centre of which the Battle of the
Giants is represented in relievo; a sta-
tuc of Jupiter of the highest antiquity,
which was formerly called Etrurian; and
some other remains of the ancient Gre-
cian style. These are followed by a
series of 70 statues in the best style, by
the contemplation of which the great
Winkelmann, before he went to Italy,
elevated himself into the high-priest of
the arts. Among these are the female
figures from Herculaneum, which exhi-
bit the most admirable specimens of dra-
pery to be found among the later remains
of Grecian art; the two Athenian vir-
gins, with their highly graceful drapery;
Canephora, whom ignorance transformed
into Romans; four large statues of Mi-
nerva; the colossal Niobe, formerly
called Agrippina; six figures of Venus,
the body of one of which is deemed by
Canova himself not inferior to the Me-
dicean; the Torso of the Gladiator,
which is classed by connoisseurs among
the finest pieces of antiquity that exist;
the colossal Alexander; the wonderfully
beautiful transformation of Ganymede,
of which there are also three ancient

[Feb. 1,

copies; an exquisitely characteristic Silenus; an Esculapius, expressive of energy and benignity; and a youthful Jupiter most sublimely conceived. To the principal delineations in this work belong also the group of Cupid and Psyche, which will sustain a comparison with the Capitoline; a hermaphrodite wrestling with a satyr; three of the finest sarcophagi, and the Bacchanalia represented upon them, partly in altorelievo. Besides these, upwards of 50 busts, out of a collection of 110, are engraved, and among them are several bronzes and rare heads of emperors. Delineations of ancient Grecian vases, and genuine antique paintings, dug up at Anzium, are not wanting of the latter coloured copies may be procured.-To the student and lover of the arts, a collection designed with such fidelity, and so boldly engraved must be the more welcome, as the explanatory text, avoiding all crudite discussions, but every where manifesting a high relish for the arts, and profound penetration into the design of the ancient masters, affords in a perspicuous and eloquent style every kind of illustration that the tasteful reader can desire. If any work on the antique was ever produced in alliance with the Muses and the Graces, it is Becker's Augusteum; combining, as it does, the exertions of so many Saxon artists, it is at the same time a monument that reflects credit on the talents of the country, and on the reign of Frederic Augustus, to whom his faithful subjects will never cease to be devotedly attached.*

* The correspondent to whom we are indebted for this communication, and in whom some of our readers will not fail to discover one of the most eminent antiquaries of Germany, the present inspector of the Gallery of Antiques at Dresden, has subjoined the following particulars evidently for the information of such of our countrymen as may wish to possess this epitome of that valuable collection:

"The work is the sole property of the widow and family of the author, who died Orders for it may be in the spring of 1813. forwarded immediately to the widow, with

this address: An die verwittwete Hofrathin Becker, in Dresden. The subscribers received it in parts, and it cost them only 75 rix-dollars: the price is now 125 dollars, or 500 francs, to all that receive it immediately from the proprietor, who delivers it carriagefree to Amsterdam or Hamburg. Payment must be guaranteed by some hanker in Saxony; and it is necessary to specify whether the text shall be in French or German."

1815.] State of St. Domingo and new French Works on that Island. 21

MR. EDITOR,

FEW subjects connected with the late re-organization of France have employed so many pens on this side of the Channel, as the recovery of the colonies, and the total abolition of the slavetrade, desired by our countrymen. It is of course the colonists expelled from St. Domingo who have most warmly interested themselves in regard to that island. Several of their works furnish important details of all kinds concerning the colonies and the slave-trade. One that deserves particular notice is intituled Des Colonies, et particulierement de celle de St. Domingue, Memoire historique et politique, par le Colonel Malenfant, 8vo. pp. 340. The author, himself a planter of St. Domingo, and formerly French consul at Surinam and subsequently at Cayenne, which latter colony he thinks not so unhealthy as it is commonly considered, advises the adoption of gentle measures for the purpose of bringing St. Domingo once more under the sceptre of France, to which he regards it as indispensably necessary. He proposes that civil rights be granted by law to the Blacks, and that a Planters' Code be framed, by virtue of which a share of the produce of the soil shall be assigned to the labourer. He is of opinion that such measures only can remove the mistrust which has become so deeply rooted in the minds of the Blacks through the conduct of Gen. Leclerc, whom he styles "the Pizarro of St. Domingo." At the conclusion of his work, the author gives a sketch of this code. A sufficient proof of the importance of this island to France, is afforded by the following statement of the produce exported from it in 1789 to France :-370,000,000 lbs. of raw sugar, 230,000,000 lbs. of coffee, 8,000,000 lbs. of cotton, 1,000,000 lbs. of indigo, 20,000 ox-hides, mahogany to the amount of 2,000,000 francs. Besides this, the English and Dutch smuggled away 30,000,000 lbs. of sugar, 20,000,000lbs. of coffee,and $,500,000lbs. of cotton. The value of the syrup exported amounted to 25,000,000 francs. On the other hand, France imported her own manufactures to the amount of between 65 and 70,000,000 francs. -The population consisted of 50,000 whites, 80,000 mulattoes and free negroes, and from 12 to 15,000 mulatto and quartron slaves. The number of black slaves was 700,000, though stated at no more than 500,000, as the poll-tax of 40 sols and 3 livres was not paid for children or persons above the age of 56

years. M. Malenfant considers it as in-
pensably necessary for the security and
prosperity of the island to prevent all
interference of the English government
in the affairs of the French colonies. To
the work is annexed a chapter on the
colonies of Cayenne and Senegal; and
it is but justice to the author to remark
that all his statements bear the stamp of
a strict regard to truth.-The following
works likewise furnish some interesting
contributions to the modern history of
St. Domingo: De St. Domingue, de ses
Guerres, de ses Revolutions, de son Com-
Drouin
merce et des Moyens à prendre pour y
par
établir la Pair et l'Industrie,
de Bercy, Creole, (an 8vo. vol.);--Coup
d'Eil sur St. Domingue, par J. R. Cha-
rault, (a pamphlet, 8vo.);-De St. Do-
mingue consideré sous le Point de Vue de
sa Restauration prochaine, pur Berquin,
(a pamphlet, 8vo.);-De l'Utilité des
Colonies, des Causes interieures de la
Perte de St. Domingue et des Moyens
d'en reconvrir la Possession, pur Ma-
zières, colon. (a pamphlet, 8vo.);-Essai
sur l'Administration des Colonies fran-
çaises, par Durand Maillard, (a pam-
phlet, 8vo.) The authors of these tracts
are either natives of St. Domingo, or
were proprietors of estates in that island.
Some of them, like the returned emi-
doctrines not remark-
grants, preach up
able for moderation or liberality; as, for
instance, M. Guillermin, author of a
Precis historique sur les derniers Evene-
mens de St. Domingue, (an 8vo. vol.)
which appeared in 1811. The Opinion
sur le Rétablissement des Colonies, par
Guillermin, lately published, is only an
extract of the preceding. The author
gives it as his opinion that the French
government ought to pursue energetic
measures, and effect a reaction entiere
et absolue et sans modification.

A complete history of this island, from
its first discovery, would be likely to re-
ward the labour of any writer of talents,
to whom the works above-mentioned
might afford much useful assistance; and
though humanity might shudder at the
pictures which such a book would neces-
sarily exhibit, yet the awful and impres-
sive lesson that sovereigns and legisla-
tors would derive from it might be pro-
ductive of lasting benefit. The present
crisis is particularly favourable for the
publication, as no doubt is entertained
here that the government will, if persua-
sion should prove unavailing, undertake
a second crusade for the purpose of re-
ducing the people of St. Domingo by
force. Though the French, with their

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22

Correspondence on the subject of the Tweddell M.SS. [Feb. 1,

inordinate national vanity, affect to regard the ultimate conquest of the island as certain, yet, when I consider the resistance formerly made by the Blacks, though just enlarged from the bonds of slavery, without preparation and without resources, and the opportunities which the last twelve years have afforded them to recruit their means, to augment their strength, and to consolidate their independence, I must confess that I cannot help thinking the success of any new attempt to subdue them extremely problematical. AN ENGLISH TRAVELLER. Paris, Dec. 15, 1814.

MR. EDITOR,

THE motives which induced me to make you acquainted with the following particulars, are suggested by the gratification I received in perusing your inte resting articles on the Tweddell papers in two recent numbers of the New Monthly Magazine, of which I have I been induced to become an habitual reader from the manly and energetic spirit breathed in the articles alluded to. I'shall, therefore, furnish you with the accompanying documents, of which you are at liberty to make what use you please, not doubting they will prove acceptable to one who has already shewn such promptitude and zeal, and, I will add, so much judicious discrimination in

the same cause.

The first of these documents is a letter which appeared in The Morning Chronicle of Saturday, Jan. 29, 1814, with

the motto,

"Virtus vera nobilitas."*

"SIR,

.

Jan. 1, 1814, Cambridge.) "A correspondent in London has lately sent to me the fragment of a newspaper containing some observations on a certain noble earl's “Pursuits in Greece," signed "Philalethes," which writer professes to make answer unto some preceding censures (“unfounded," as he terms them) put forth by a censor who, it seems, styles himself " Publicola." At the present moment I do not possess the means of expeditiously ascertaining the particular point in which this controversy originated; hut as you have (if I mistake not) taken some part therein, even if Philalethes did not (as I surmise he did) select the Morning Chronicle as his field of combat,—and as the letter of Philathes has aroused me to prepare on the spur of the occasion a sort of reply, I have such an opinion of your rectitude

Metto to Trin. Coll. Cambridge.

that I feel persuaded you will not refuse to allow your paper to become the vehicle of some reflections on the nobleman particularly mentioned, which I aim at giving publicity to.

66

"I declare my entire ignorance of both the champions; and I only guess at the animadversions of Publicola through the medium of his adversary's language, part of which I now mean to quote. I beg to premise, that in the letter of Philalethes there are a few passages in which, as it seems to me, it might have been prudent in him to have used a little more reserve when sounding the praises of his noble patron. His very first sentence I can by no means subscribe to "Every true lover of the arts knows that that nobleman has within the last ten years accomplished more towards the perfection of the arts, particularly sculpture, (and I may add painting,) than any other individual or body of men during the last five centuries." I shall not pretend to pronounce how much may be "known by every true lover of the arts" in support of this high-flying pretension, but thus much I have no hesitation in affirming that, as a true lover of liberal arts," and a sincere hater of liberal arts," I know, and (since Philalethes seems to challenge the question) I feel it a sort of duty to avow my knowledge, that there is not a nobleman in England, and but one in Scotland, who has accomplished so much, in some respects, as the Earl of ***** towards the depression of the arts," and, I may add, painting" in particular, as also towards the suppression of literature: (I say not "within the last ten years," but within the last thirteen:) but, what is more, I scruple not to predict that the next “ five centuries" will not produce an individual of equal rank who will entitle himself to such an unhappy pre-eminence in the above respects as this noble virtuoso, whom your correspondent would exalt into so conspicuous a niche in the Temple of Fame. Philalethes says, in another part of his epistle, "Lord ***** bas during that period saved from inevitable destruction, and brought to England, a larger collection, &c. &c." Perhaps the panegyrist may be correct so far as regards Grecian sculpture; at least, I mean not of present to disturb him in the enjoyment of his notion, presuming his assertion to be limited to the works of the chisel; but, lest the public should by such pure and unqualified praise be infected with "false notions and crude surmises," as

1815.] Correspondence on the subject of the Tweddell M.SS.

66

though my lord was addicted exclusively to save and perpetuate works of art, I think it only fair, as a true lover" of plain dealing, to offer this "Memorandum" upon his famed "Pursuits," namely, that how much soever they may have "saved from inevitable destruction," they have doomed at least as great a portion to irrecoverable ruin or to perpetual seclusion; which, however, I do not mean to insinuate may be any diminution of the boasted largeness of his collection. On the whole, much as I find myself compelled to dissent from Philalethes in general, there is one piece of news in his letter, which I think important, may even necessary: he tells us Lord *****'s marbles are "pure." This I feel the more indebted to Philalethes for; because, however large may be the quantity of the earl's collections, I, for one, have undoubtedly heard considerable suspicion expressed concerning their purity.

T."

The publication of this letter produced the following card, which appeared in the Morning Chronicle of the 1st February, 1814:

"A CARD.-Philalethes would be very much obliged to T. if he would have the goodness to put his observations on Lord Elgin's collection of Athenian marbles, which appeared in your paper of 29th past, into English, or any other intelligible language, in order that his meaning may be known, and that his notions upon that subject, which appear to be very confined, may be set right."

This intimation drew forth the following

Answer to Philalethcs.

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"I have hesitated much whether I ought in any shape to bestow even a brief notice on "the card" of Philalethes, presented in one of your late impressions, so little docs it appear to me to be deserving of a serious answer: however, I will with your permission submit this concise expression of my sentiments suggested by that gentleman's language and polite address, and I trust that his capacity may prove large enough to take in my meaning. He would feel

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obliged (he says) if I would put my observations on Lord E.'s Athenian marbles into English, or any other intelligible language. The only return which I feel now disposed to make to this courteous invitation is simply to say, that my remarks were not confined to bles" exclusively, as he would intimate, but had reference to Lord E.'s collec tions in general, private and public, and were more especially called forth by that modest panegyric of his, which ascribes to his patron a more than human superiority over all ancient or modern "lovers" or promoters of the arts; whilst I certainly know all the while, can fearlessly assert, and am prepared to prove, (though not in a newspaper,) that some of the finest specimens of art, and many manuscripts calculated and intended to have augmented and embellished the literature of the country, are doomed to seclusion in the darkness of a private cabinet, if not already mouldered into dust under the blighting influence of Philalethes' great Athenian marble merchant, who we are enjoined to understand is the unparalleled Mecanas of the present age, and (which, indeed, I am not disinclined to believe) of the five preceding centuries. I hope that I am here writing orthodox" English," and language" be not even yet that, if my "intelligible" to Philalethes, the obscurity is less in my phraseology than in his own understanding; but be this as it may, it is enough for me to know, and perhaps more than enough for him to be informed, that there are hundreds who, I am well assured, will find no difficulty in understanding my "language," which, whether understood by him or not, is sufficiently "intelligible" for the purpose which it was intended to serve-in one word-to decide the matter in a high tribunal. For my part, I am content to be judged at the seat of academical learning, and am not afraid to appeal to certain of the most learned members of the University of Cambridge as to whe ther my former and present objections to the laudatory style of Philalethes be expressed in "intelligible language," or whether, if some of my observations be thought in a degree obscure, it be not a fair and sufficient explanation thereof to refer that unmeasured eulogist at once to his noble paragon as a legitimate and well qualified interpreter.

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T."

This answer not appearing, as I had been led to expect from the former conduct of the editor, I was induced to remonstrate with him by letter, in nearly the following words:" That I had dili

24

Lord Elgin and the Tweddell M.SS.

gently searched the Morning Chronicle
for T.'s last answer to Philalethes, dated
2d February, with motto prefixed from
Childe Harold, and that, unless the same
appeared in the paper of the 14th, which
I had not been able to get a sight of, I
concluded the editor must have post-
poned it sine die; and although it might
prove a disappointment to me, it would
not be very surprising, considering the
situation in which a journalist is placed,
and considering also the prejudices, par-
tialities, and engagements, of political
papers, which might operate in ways
unknown to him and me, to dissuade
from such an insertion ad hominem; not
that I meant to confound the editor of
the Morning Chronicle with the herd of
periodical papers, for he had shewn
therein every due degree of editorial
courage, and had obliged me per-
sonally by his ungarbled publication
of my friend's preliminary challenge
to Philalethes to come forward and
discuss all his patron's pretensions se-
riatim. If, however, his mind was not
with us, as Philatethes could not yet be
permitted to return to the silent tomb, I
professed my readiness to call in at the
Morning Chronicle Office, in conformity
to any intimation to such effect certified
in the customary manner."-This was
followed by a personal interview, equally
fruitless, not even the accustomed cour-
tesy of newspaper acknowledgments be-
ing resorted to. It is, therefore, evident
that the Morning Chronicle acted with
ill-judged partiality, which now tempts
me to invite you, as the editor of the
New Monthly Magazine, not to let go
the clue of a controversy which daily
assumes a more significant and interest-
ing complexion. VERAX, F. S. A.
Somerset-place, Dec. 1814.

MR. EDITOR,

AS I perceive your pages are open to literary and fair discussion, I beg leave to offer a few words on a subject which occupies a place in the eighth and tenth numbers of your publication; I mean the letters of Aliquis and Simplicius concerning the manuscripts and collections of the late Mr. Tweddell. The insinuations thrown out by your correspondents against a distinguished nobleman are surely as yet premature, if they be not wholly ungrounded. I allude particularly to that part of Aliquis's letter in which the "English Envoy" is pointed

at. This can mean no other than Lord Elgin; for the effects of Mr. Tweddell

! [Feb. 1,

never came into the hands of Mr. Spencer Smith, the resident minister plenipotentiary. I disclaim all acquaintance with Lord Elgin, and far be it from me to attempt to shelter him from censure if he shall fairly be proved to have deserved it; it is because no such proof has been adduced, so far as I know, that I trouble you with these observations, as a friend to liberality and truth. The charge of neglect, or misappropriation, which seems to be implied against that personage, does not to me appear justifi able: his high character as a patron of the arts, his exalted rank as ambassador extraordinary, with other cogent reasons, all preclude the idea of any thing unfair or irregular in the case in question being either done or connived at. Were it possible for a moment to suppose that Mr. Tweddell's effects were treated in the manner there insinuated-that some of his drawings were in the hands of Englishmen at Leghorn--that copies of them were taken and are now in this country-or, what is least of all to be imagined, that the property was irregularly taken out of the Levant Company's chancery, without the accustomed order of the chancellor

were it possible, I say, to imagine such vague insinuations to have a real foundation, no terms of reprobation could be too severe for the person inplicated in such practices, and I should even say that no official dignity or rank ought to protect him from the castigation of public censure.

As to the appeal with which Aliquis concludes, implying that Lord Elgin bas in his power the means of bringing to light the literary treasures of Mr. Tweddell, nothing can be more improbable. Is it to be supposed that a nobleman of such high reputation would keep back any thing which might serve the interests of literature? or that he has the power to bring forward manuscripts and drawings which are evidently lost, after having been regularly consigned by his lordship at Constantinople to the friends of the deceased? In a word, may we not fairly conclude that the relatives of the late Mr. Tweddell have addressed the. necessary inquiries to the ambassador on this subject, and that he has satisfacto rily convinced them (as, indeed, their silence proves) of his having acquitted himself in the matter with all that care, fidelity, and zeal, which were to be expected of so disinterested a patron of VINDEX. Christ Church, Oxford, Dec, 1814.

the arts.

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