ÆäÀÌÁö À̹ÌÁö
PDF
ePub

50

Admission of Students into the Royal Academy.

§ I. Admission of Students.-Any person desiring to become a student of the Royal Academy, shall present a drawing or model of his own performance to the keeper, which, if considered by him a proof of sufficient ability, shall be laid before the council, together with a testimony of his moral character from an academician, or other known person of respectability. If these are approved by the council, the candidate shall be permitted to make a drawing or model from one of the antique figures in the Academy, and the space of three months from the time of receiving such permission will be allowed for that purpose; the time of his attendance to be from ten o'clock in the morning until three in the afternoon. This drawing or model, when finished, shall be laid also before the council, accompanied with outre drawings of an anatomical figure and skeleton not less than two feet high, with lists and references on each drawing of the several muscles, tendons, and bones, contained therein, together with the drawing or model originally presented for his admission as a probationer: if approved, the candidate shall be accepted as a student of the Royal Academy, and he shall receive in

form the ticket of his admission from the hand of the keeper, in the antique school. But if the specimen presented be rejected by the council, he shall not be allowed to continue drawing in the Royal Academy.

2. Each candidate to be a student in architecture shall present an architectural design, and also a specimen of his drawing from plaister to the keeper: if these be approved by the council, he will be permitted to make another architectural design in the presence of the keeper, and also a drawing from one of the antique figures, or some portion of ornamental sculpture, both of which drawings, together with the usual testimony of his character shall be laid before the council, and if approved, he will be admitted in like manner as the other students.

3. No drawings or models shall be received from persons applying to become probationers in the schools, except at the first councils held in the months of January and July.

4. If any candidate shall be found endeavouring to impose on the Academy, by presenting as specimens of his talents drawings or models not of his own performance, he shall be declared incapable of being admitted a student of the Royal Academy.

Mr. DEVIS has just finished a whole length portrait of Miss O'NEIL, in the character of Belvidera, which is considered an admirable likeness of that amiable and excellent actress. From this picture Mr. MEYER is about to engrave a plate in mezzotinto, which will be ready to deliver to subscribers early in the ensuing spring. Boydell and Co, receive subscribers' names,

[Feb. 1,

Mr. CLAY has commenced a series of the most interesting scenery in and about London, to be published in colours 24 inches by 17 inches, from original drawings, made for the purpose, by HASELER, and aquatinted by HAVELI.

[We are indebted to our correspondent, Mr. ELMES, the architect, for the following interesting extracts from a learned traveller to a friend in London, on the present state of the Fine Arts in Italy, of so late a date as the middle of last November.]

This intelligent traveller says that one of the most interesting objects he has met with in his tour, is the Great Academy of Painting, Sculpture, Architecture, Drawing, &c. in Milan, which also contains a rich and noble collection of pictures of the Italian schools, particularly of Lionardo Da Vinci. There is also in the same Ac demy, a school for engraving, which he declares superior to any he ever saw. The Museum of picParis, nor so magnifice it, but is, perhaps, tures, he adds, is not so large as that at better calculated for displaying the pictures in their proper light. It consists of about a dozen large saloons, the roofs of which are supported by large columns of granite, and lighted by skylights from the top. The pictures are all very good, but some truly excellent; one of the best is Abraham sending away Agar, by GUERCINO, the figures half size: and it is known in this country by the excellent engraving of Sir ROBERT STRANGE. The face of Agar he declares to be the finest and most expressive of grief he ever saw. There is also a good collection of Fresco pictures, which have been collected and put up in the Museum with great care, and also the best picture of GUIDO RENI in existence. Napoleon took great pains, and expended vast sums of money, to render this establishment in every branch worthy of the capital of the kingdom of Italy. He paid as much as ten thousand pounds sterling for the last six pictures, which he ordered to be purchased at Bologna, for this Museum; one of which is the before-mentioned GUERCINO. But a real maravilla is a small picture of the marriage of the Virgin, by RAFFAELLE, which has never been engraved, and is really a most beautiful and extraordinary production. LONGHI is now engraving it the same size as Morghen's Transfiguration.

The School of Sculpture, he says, is very good, superior even to that of Paris, and infinitely so to ours in London. The School for Drawing is also very capi

1815.]

State of the Arts at Milan.

tal, consisting of about two hundred and fifty pupils, and many of them promising artists. In the same establishment, there is a magnificent library and numerous collection of books, and an observatory, with a school of ástronomy, better than that of Paris. The instruments are numerous and of the first order, all by RAMSDEN and DOLLOND. In a word, concludes this excellent observer of art, the whole is worthy of a great monarch, and in a degree justifies the predilection wh ch a great many persons there retain for him, who contributed so liberally, and so powerfully towards the restoration of the fine arts, in the country where they flourished so long and so nobly.

He gives a tolerably broad hint to the encouragers of the art of engraving in this country, for although he addresses the publishers, they must and will publish the most saleable articles in the following passage on the Academy of Engraving: Engraving is growing to such a pitch of excellence, and the pupils are so good and so numerous, that I am afraid that branch of the fine arts in England is threatened with a terrible concussion, and even superiority. You must make haste, therefore, to publish some capital plates in the line manner, if you mean to oppose your old and justly acquired reputation in that respect to their rising fame and promising talents."

He gives us the interesting, though afflicting information that the famous picture of Lionardo Da Vinci, representing the Last Supper, engraved by Morghen, is nearly effaced. A celebrated artist in musaic, named Raffaelle, is copying it in musaic, of the same size, and for. which he received from the late government, the sum of two hundred and fifty thousand livres (above ten thousand pounds sterling.) It is almost finished, but is much inferior, in the opinion of our traveller, to what the original must have been, if he may judge by an excellent copy of it, he has seen of the same size, painted by a pupil of, and in some parts touched up by, Lionardo himself. The musaic is intended for the Museum.

[ocr errors]

51

The next object worthy of notice is the Forum Buonaparte, or Champs de Mars, larger and more magnificent than that of Paris. At the extremity of it, begins the famous road over the Simplon, and which is superior to that of the Mont Cenis. The road is separated from the Forum by the most magnificent triumphal arch he remembers to have seen, entirely of marble, with basso rilievos, and ornaments of the most exquisite workmanship. It is not quite finished but all the parts of it are teady, and orders are issued to finish it immediately. It is a most beautiful monument of art, and will transmit the name of Napoleon to posterity, with a purer glory than that resulting from his bloody victories. On one side of the Forum is a Circus, built by Napoleon for gymnastic games, races, combats. &c, a capital and magnificent work, capable of containing thirty-six thousand spectators, with water sufficient to exhibit a naval battle in the middle of it. The whole is of granite, and struck our traveller with astonishment. On one side of the oval is a large peristyle leading to a saloon, intended for the late emperor and his court; it is quite in the style of the ancients, and must have cost immense sums of money. Here are also several churches, he continues, interesting for their architecture, and the paintings in fresco they contain; but the most singular is the famous cathedral all of marble from top to bottom, of the most exquisite workmanship, with thousands of statues and a profusion of ornaments, likewise of marble, which makes the whole look like a piece of wax-work. It is a most noble Gothic pile, with a dome, to the top of which there is an ascent of 512 stairs. It was begun about four hundred years ago, and never finished, although the late emperor had almost brought it to a conclusion.

We have been favoured with several other equally interesting particulars, relative to this important subject, and have the promise of more from the same Source, which we shall not fail to lay, from time to time, before our readers.

NEW PUBLICATIONS IN DECEMBER AND JANUARY,

AGRICULTURE.

WITH CRITICAL REMARKS.

A Review and complete Abstract of the Reports to the Board of Agriculture from the Midland Department of England. By W. Marshall. 8vo. 14s.

ASTRONOMY.

the Heavens displayed, in which the striking appearances to be observed in 1815 are described. By. W. Frend, Esq. M. A. 38.

BIOGRAPHY.

An Historical Survey of the Character of Napoleon Buonaparte; founded on his own Evening Amusements, or the Beauties of words and actions, forming an Introductie

52

New Publications, with Critical Remarks.

to the "Secret Memoirs," by one who never quitted him for fifteen years. Translated from the sixth Paris edition. 12mo. pp. 92. 3s. 6d. French edition, 3s.

Secret Memoirs of Napoleon Buonaparte, written by one who never quitted him for fifteen years. In two vols. 12mo. 10s. 6d.

The egotism which pervades these volumes has been urged as an objection to the authenticity of what is here recorded concerning the private history of the most extraordinary being of modern times. To us, however, this very vanity carries a

different conclusion, and appears to be precisely that kind of internal evidence which ought to be expected as characteristic of those consequential and versatile creatures who were raised from in

significance to figure in the train of the imperial meteor which Providence, doubtless for wise pur. poses, suffered to glare so long upon the world. The anecdotes here related are marked with such striking features of originality, that if, after all, the memoirs should be nothing more than a coinage of the brain, thus much must be allowed to the writer, that he has wel! studied his subject, and that he has sketched the fallen tyrant with the spirit of a master.

DIVINITY.

A Combined View of the Prophecies of Daniel, Esdras, and St. John. By J. H. Frere, esq. 8vo. 12s.

Sermons on Practical Subjects. By John Vincent, A. B. Chaplain to the E. I. C. at Fort William, Bengal. 8vo. 85.

The Benevolence and Wisdom of National Institutions for the Instruction of the Infant Poor, a Sermon. By the Rev. Geo. Matthew, M. A. vicar of Greenwich. 25.

Female Scripture Characters, exemplify. ing Female Virtues. By Mrs. King. 8s.

It is all True, or the Truth of the Gospel made plain, in the Conversion, Life, and Death, of Martha James, of Chelwood, So1s. 6d.

merset.

The Evidences of the Christian Religion, being a Collection of the Works of the most established Authors who have written in defence of the Christian Faith. No. 1. (to be continued monthly,) roy. svo. 2s. 6d.

Sermons. By the Rev. J. Venn, M. A. rector of Clapham. 2 vols. 8vo. 11. 18.

Sermons. By Christopher Wordsworth, D. D. Dean of Bocking. 2 vols. 8vo. 18s. Sermons for parochial and domestic use. By Rich, Mant, M. A. Vol. 3. 8vo. 10s. 6d. The Claims of the Established Church considered as an Apostolical Institution, and especially as an authorized Interpreter of Holy Scripture. 3s. 6d.

Practical and Familiar Sermons. By the Rev. Edw. Cooper, rector of Hamstall Ridware, and Yoxall. Vol. III. 5s.

A Body of Divinity. By Dr. Gill, 4to, 11. 15s, boards.

DRAMA.

The Tragedies of Vittorio Alfieri. Translated from the Italian by Charles Lloyd. 3 vols. 12mo. 11. 75.

Theatrical Pocket Book, or brief Dramatic Chronology. 18mo. 3s.

[Feb. 1,

[blocks in formation]

Sketch of the United States of North America, at the commencement of the 19th century, from 1800 to 1810, with Statistical Tables, and a new Map, by the Author, containing all the late Discoveries, and exhibiting the division of Territorial Zones, Boundary Lines, &c. By Le Chevalier Felix de Beaujour. Translated from the French, with illustrative Notes and Appendix. By William Walton, Esq. 8vo. pp. 363. 16s.

After such a verbose title page much new and curious information concerning this interesting country might reasonably have been looked for; but, as Swift says, "blessed is he that expecteth nothing, and he shall not be disappointed." This Alimsy sketch contains little more than what may be found in most of our geographical compendiums, and though the meagre text is most pom pously fringed with notes, neither the one nor the other add any thing to what was already known respecting North America and its inhabitants.

A Treatise on the Construction of Maps, in which the Principles of Projection of the Sphere are Demonstrated. By Alexander

Jamieson. 8vo. gs.

HISTORY.

Sketches of the History and present State of the Russian Empire. By the Rev. Wm, Anderson. 8vo. 126.

An Historical Memento representing the different scenes of Public Rejoicing which took place on the 1st of August, 1814, in St. James's and Hyde Parks, By F. W. Blagdon, esq. 4to. 11. 1s. with six coloured plates, 11. 11s. 6d.

Life and Campaigns of the Duke of Wellington. By F. L. Clarke, Esq. Vol. III. 8vo. 12s. 6d.

Historical View of the Commission for inquiring into the claims of the American Loyalists. By J. E. Wilmot, Esq. 8vo. gs.

History of that inimitable Monarch Tiberius. By the Rev. John Rendle, M. A. roy. 8vo. 11. 1s.

Critical Situation of Buonaparte in his Retreat out of Russia, or a faithful narrative of the Repassing of the Beresina by the French in 1812. By an eye-witness. 3s.

Studies in History; Vol. II. containing, the History of Rome from its earliest records to the Death of Constantine, in a series of Essays, with Reflexions, &c. by Thomas Morell, St. Neots. 8vo. 10s. 6d. boards.

1815.]

New Publications, with Critical Remarks.

LAW.

A Treatise on the Principles and Practice of the Court of Chancery. By Henry Maddock, Esq. of Lincoln's-inn, barrister-at-law. 2 vols. roy. 8vo. 21. 6s.

A Digest of the Law of Partnership. By Basil Montagu, esq. of Grays-Inn, barristerat-law. 2 vols. roy. 8vo. 11. 6s.

The Laws of Trade and Commerce. By John Williams, esq. of the Inner Temple.

8vo. 14s.

A Letter to Sir S. Romilly on the omission of the word " Signed," in the Attestation to Instruments executing Powers. By Edw. Bartenshaw, Sugden, Esq. 1s. 6d. The Trial of Sir H. Mildmay, Bart. for Crim, Con. with Lady Roseberry, Dec. 10, 1814. By James Blanchard. 1s. 6d.

MECHANICS.

Treatise on Mechanics, intended as an Introduction to Nat. Philosophy. By the Rev. B. Bridge, B. D. F. R. S. 8vo. 11. 1s. MEDICINE, SURGERY, ANATOMY, &C.

A Special Report of the General Committee of the London Infirmary for curing diseases of the Eye; in which certain pretensions of Sir William Adams, advanced in the official papers published by order of the honourable directors of Greenwich Hospital, lately submitted to a Medical Committee, appointed by Government, and affecting the rights of the Infirmary, and the merits of the late J. C. Saunders, Esq. its founder and surgeon, are examined and disproved by the correspondence of Mr. Saunders and other documents. 8vo. 1s. 6d.

When Leibnitz was in England, he was favoured by the immortal, but modest Newton with the particulars of his discovery of Fluxions, which this shewy foreigner, on his return to the continent, had the temerity to publish as his own invention. The interesting report before us exhibits an instance of deception and ingratitude still more atrocious, for it is an attempt to injure both the living and the dead. The high merits of the late Mr. Saunders need no encomium from us, and the extraordinary benefit which he conferred upon the world by his treatment of the eye in cases of obstinate blindness must ensure endless blessings on his name. It seems, however, that one of his pupils, regardless of every principle of modesty and liberality, is not only at this moment strutting about in borrowed plumes, but endeavouring in fact to gain national rewards and honour for only practising what he had learned of his generous friend and instructor. This timely publication will, we trust, put a stop to these pretensions; but should they be suffered to go on, we pledge ourselves to develope, in our next, much more of this smuggling transaction than what is even laid open in the present candid and explicit report.

Statement of the Symptoms which lead to Water on the Brain. 3vo. 58.

Delineations of the Cutaneous Diseases comprized in the Classification of the late Dr. Willan. By T. Bateman, M. D. F.L.S. Fasciculus I. 4to. 11. 1s.

The Physiognomical System of Drs. Gall

53

and Spurzheim. By J. G. Spurzheim, M. D. roy. 8vo. 11. 10s.

A plain Narrative of the circumstances attending the last Illness and Death of Joanna Southcott, By Richard Reece. 8vo. 2s. 6d.

The Case of Joanna Southcott. By Peter Mathias, surgeon. Svo. 1s.

It is amusing to see the" engineer hoist with his own petar." The author of the first of these two pamphlets obtruded himself upon the public a short time since in a very extraordinary manner, by professing his belief in the supposed pregnancy fraud had reached the period which every man of of this old impostor; but when the folly and the sel.Se anticipated, this ingenious practitioner, who well knows how to turn a penny to the best advantage, hastily printed this narrative, the first edition of which was sold at an ex travagant charge. But what we admire most is the art with which this gentleman has caught hold of the professional reputation of Dr. Sims to cover his own nakedness, by stating that both were alike deceived, whereas the truth is that they were directly at variance, the one supporting the fallacy by the credit of his opinion, if, indeed, any credit could be due to it, and the other as explicitly declaring that the whole was the effect of disease, which must soon terminate in death. Mr. Mathias is entitled to respect for the plain and candid statement which he has given of his professional attendance on this wretched deceiver, who, aecording to his account, evidently died of excessive fat, brought on by laziness and a habit of gormandizing, which became more intense and epicurean when she had succeeded in filling the heads of her followers with the most wicked delusion that ever came from the mint of knavery.

[blocks in formation]

NOVELS.

Discipline; a Novel. By the Author of "Self-Controul." 3 vols. 8vo. 11. 4s.

That affliction is the school of wisdom we are taught by the highest of all authority; but there are few, it is to be feared, who bring their minds under that state of subjection which is necessary to render the lessons of this stern monitor perma nently beneficial. The performance before us is admirably adapted to answer this important pur. pose; and it is highly gratifying to have it in our "

[ocr errors]

54

New Publications, with Critical Remarks.

[blocks in formation]

POETRY.

The Lord of the Isles, a Poem. By Walter Scott, Esq. 4to. 21. 2s.

That this poem abounds with beauties which will render it a permanent source of intellectual pleasure must be universally admitted; but that at the same time it exhibits some glaring defects, and some deformities, can hardly be denied, we should think, even by the most enthusiastic admirers of

the author. The story is that of Robert Bruce, whose character is certainly drawn with a masterly hand, and the same may be said of Ronald, lord of the Isles. On these two personages, indeed, the poet has evidently laboured with uncommon assiduity, and that to the manifest disadvantage of the female characters, who, however attractive they may be, are not sufficiently, marked, and kept up in the narrative, answerable to that interest which is excited by their first appearance. Of the narrative itself, where invention improves upon the chronicle, we have not much to say, but truth compels us to remark, that the incident of concealing a page, who is a female disguised, in the trunk of a hollow tree, seems to be unworthy of our author's genius, who ought to have avoided so dramatic an effect in a poem purely historical. Yet upon this very point, comparatively trifling and evidently forced, the whole catastrophe turns; and after witnessing the rising of the feudal chieftains, and the assembling of their forces in the defence of their rightful lord, we are most unaccountably called to the description of an intended execution in the person of the unfortunate page, who is happily rescued from the ignominious fate by the confederates in ambush. This deliverance is the prelude to that of the country, by which Bruce recovers his throne, and the English are defeated at Bannockburn. Such is the train of consequences drawn from a circumstance which, whatever might be its merit in a romance, ill befits a piece intended to celebrate the establishment of national independence.

[Feb. 1,

slovenly part of this piece of extravagance, in which piety and profaneness are strangely blended, is the manner in which the young woman, whose visions are recorded, is brought to life. Our rea. ders will recollect the legendary tale that is told of a lady, who being buried in her jewels, the sexton, in the night after the interment, endeavoured to possess himself of the buried treasure; but while in the act of cutting off the finges of the supposed corpse, animation returned, the thief fled, and the woman walked home to the house of her friends. This circumstance is stated to have happened in the church of St. Giles, Cripplegate; and here it is made the foundation of a poem, in four parts, throughout which many wonders are exhibited with the precision of Dante, and the judgment of Swedenborg.

Select Poems of Synesius and Gregory Hugh Stuart Boyd, esq. Nazianzen, translated from the Greek. By

5S.

The Flower of Wye: in six cantos. By Henry Ingram. 8vo. 10s. 6d. The Lay of the Poor Fiddler, mirer of Walter Scott,

By an Adfc. 8vo. 5s.

Ovid's Metamorphoses; a new translation in rhyme. By Thos. Orger. 8vo. 11. 1s. Familiar Foems, Moral and Religious. By Susannah Wilson, a Servant Girl. 18mo. 25. ~

POLITICS AND POLITICAL ECONOMY.

Documents respecting the History of the late Events in Spain. 8vo. 5s.

Reflexions on the Financial System of Great Britain, and particularly on the Sinking Fund. By Walter Boyd, Esq. 2s. 6d.

by British Agriculture, and on the Influence Considerations on the Protection required of the Price of Corn on Exportable Productions. By Wm. Jacob, Esq. F. R. S. 6s. od.

Prussia and Saxony; or an Appeal to Europe on the Claims of the King of Saxony. Translated from the German. Svo. 3s.

TOPOGRAPHY.

The New British Traveller, or Modern Panorama of England and Wales. By Wm. Dugdale, LL.D Part I. (to be completed in 16 parts, published every two months.)

410. 8s

Historical, Topographical, and Descrip

The Pilgrims of the Sun; a Poem. By tive, Account of the Weald of Kent. svo.

James Hogg, Author of the "Shepherd's
Wake," &c.

Svo. pp. 148, 7s. 6d.

Mr. Scott has the honour of having founded a poetical school, the disciples of which, if they have not much of their master's genius, are at least ambitious of equalling his industry. It was but the other day that the author of the present performance made a trial of his strength in the varied ballad strain, which had been so successfully managed by his preceptor; and now he has the boldness to try his powers in things as yet unattempted either in prose or rhyme. An inspired writer, indeed, has said, that "he knew one who was caught up in spirit to the third Leaven and paradise, where he heard what could not be uttered by mortal tongue;" but Mr. Hogg has ventured to describe the celestial worlds, and the ercupations of their inhabitants, with as much exactness as Moliarumed did after his excursion with Gabriel on the back of Al Barack. The most

15s.

VOYAGES AND TRAVELS.

Letters from the Right Hon. Lady Craven to his Serene Highness the Margrave of Anspach, during her Travels through France, Germany, and Russia, in 1785 and 1786. Second Edition, including a variety of Letters not before published. roy. 4to. 11.11s. 6d.

The first edition of this work, which appeared in 1789, having become very scarce, the noble author has kindly suffered another impression of her very entertaining letters to issue from the press, enriched with some additional articles, and illustrative notes. The book is already too well known and esteemed to stand in need of our recommendation; but this we feel it a duty to say, that the pleasure which we experienced on reviewing the volume, for a very respectable miscellany, at the time of the original pub. lication, was not exceeded by that which we have now enjoyed on reading it in its present improved

« ÀÌÀü°è¼Ó »