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T

THE

EUROPEAN MAGAZINE,

AND

LONDON REVIEW,

FOR JUNE 1803.

LADY HAMILTON.
[WITH A PORTRAIT.],

O the Lady whofe Portrait ornaments the prefent Magazine, the fitter arts of Mulic and Painting have been under confiderable obligations. From her affability and attention abroad, her country-folks have derived much fatisfaction; and to her efforts and ex. ertions in a time of imminent danger from foreign violence and domestic treachery, Royalty itself has been indebted both for confolation and comfort. She is, if we are not mifinformed, a native of Flintshire, and refided fome time in the family of a relation of Alderman Boydell. About the year 1791 the became the wife of the late Sir William Hamilton; and never, it is faid, was an union productive of more

perfect felicity. The anxious folici tude, the unwearied attention, the domeftic duties, joined to the uncommon talents and accomplishments, of Lady, Hamilton, were fources of the pureft happiness to both, as well as of delight to the circle in which they lived. Sir William experienced from this Lady, in his laft illness, all the confolations of which life was fufceptible; and at length, without a ftruggle or figh, breathed his laft in her arms. To conclude, we are told, that to her relations he is liberal and kind; to thofe from whom he has at any time received obligations, grateful and remembering; and to her friends in general, polite and engaging.

THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF LADY MARY WORTLEY MONTAGU.

EXTRACTED

FROM THE REGISTRY OF THE PREROGATIVE COURT OF
CANTERBURY.

IN the name of God, Amen. I give
and bequeath to her Grace, Mar-
garet, Duchefs of Portland, a white
brilliant ring, with this motto, ena-
melled, Maria Henrietta. I give to
Signora Chiara Michielle Brigandine,
her choice of all my rings, excepting
that already bequeathed to the Duchefs
of Portland. I give to Doctor Julio
Bartholomew Moro, who hath faith-
fully ferved me feven years, five hun-
dred pounds sterling. I give to Maria
Fromenta, all my wearing apparel,
either made or not made, and all my
linen, either for the bed, table, or my
perfon. I give to my fon Edward
Wortley one guinea, his father having
amply provided for him. I give to
the Honourable James Stewart Mac-

kenfie, one large gold octagon fnuffbox. To my dear daughter, Mary, Countess of Bute, I give and bequeath whatever I am poffeffed of, all my meffuages, lands, tenements, and hereditaments, whether now in poffeflion, or in reverfion, defiring her to fee duly executed this last will and teftament of her affectionate mother. I give to all my fervants, living with me at the time of my deceafe, a year's wages each; and if there are among them any foreigners, their charges to their own country; and ten guineas above the faid legacy to Maria Anna Smith Fromenta. I hereby publish and declare this to be my last will and teftament: In witness whereof, I have to two parts of this my will Ggg 2

fet

fet my hand and feal, this 23d of June 1762.

MARY WORTLEY MONTAGU. Signed, fealed, publifhed, and declared,

by the faid teatrix, as and for her laft will and teftament, in the prefence of us who have hereunto fubfcribed our names as witneffes there

of, in the prefence of the faid teftatrix, and at her request, and in the prefence of each other (the words and bereditaments being first interlined),

BATAVIA;

OR,

DAVID REES.
JOHN LANE.
THOMAS BURCH.

A PICTURE OF THE UNITED PROVINCES:

PN A SERIES OF LETTERS, WRITTEN DURING A TOUR THROUGH THE BATAVIAN REPUBLIC IN THE YEAR 1802.

LETTER IV.

(Continued from Page 339-)

of it, though feveral parts were at that time unfinished.

To the Rev. B. W. Amflerdam, May. During the period that the StadtTH HE firft curiosity which attracts a houfe was building, the Bank of Extranger's notice is the STADT- change was removed to John RossHOUSE, which may be denominated poort's Tooren, where the money was a magnificent and ftupendous ftone depofited in arched vaults, and the building. So much may be faid to upper part of the tower ferved as offices excite your curiofity previous to my for the clerks. This tower, which entrance upon a task which, I believe, ftands upon the Cingel, is now a prihas never been attempted in Engliffon, and the vaults are converted into a concife, yet fuccinct, account of this cells, where the prifoners are conchef d'œuvre of Holland; the expence fined. of building having been estimated at two millions iterling, a fum exceeding the expences of St. Paul's Cathedral, Verfailles, or the Efcurial,

It is almost unnecellary to premife, that Amfterdam is entirely built upon piles of fir, driven to an enormous depth into a morals; upon the piles the foundation of the building is laid, with as much firmnefs as upon a rock,

The old Stadthoufe being found in adequate to the purposes of the State, it was refolved to erect a new one; which, all circumftances confidered, may claim the appellation of one of the wonders of the world. The celebrated architect JACOB VAN KAMPEN was felected for the fuperintendance of this ftupendous work; and Cornelius de Graaf, Anthony Otgens van Waveren, John Huidkooper, and John Cornelius Geelvink, as affittant architects. The first pile was driven into the ground January 20th, 16.8, and on the 6th of October in the fame year they had finished this part; no lefs than 13,659 trees having been driven down for the foundation of the build

ing to rest upon. On the 28th of the fame month, the firft ftone (white marble) was laid; and on the 23d April 1655, the Magiftrates took poffellion

The front of the Stadthoufe measures 282 feet; the depth, including the pavilions, 235 feet; and the pavilions ineafure 90 feet in length, and 17 in depth: the pilafters are Corinthian, and connected with well-executed fertoons; the height, including the cupola, is about 160 feet; it is furmounted by a vane, reprefenting the figure of a hip, which, it appears, was formerly the arms of this city.

The eaft fide of the Stadthoufe faces the Dam and the Waeg, Weigh-houte, or Customhoufe, which is an edifice of inconfiderable merit, and greatly tends to destroy the fine effect which a building like the Stadthouse would poffels were fuch mean edifices out of fight. It is the more diguiting that fuch a firucture fhould be fuffered to remain, when it is confidered that the front of this elegant building commands no other profpect than the immenfe packages of merchandize which continually lie before the Customhouse. In England, undoubtedly, fuch a nuifance would not be fuffered to exit, but the consideration of 10,000l. fterling, and upwards, arifing annual y to Government from this Cultomhoute, is a fufficient temptation to the Hol landers for letting it stand. The

principal

principal tranfgreffion of architectural rules in the Stadthoufe is at once obvious to every perfon. Instead of one grand and magnificent portal, forming a noble entrance, we are aftonished to find seven small gates formed within the limits of the pavilion, and alio two more which are fastened up with iron railing (one at each end of the pavilion). The defign of thefe latter is not eafily to be conceived; they have no connection with the interior of the building, and can only ferve for the purpose of faciating the ingrefs and egrefs of numbers at the fame

time.

difadvantage; 'and were they placed on the ground, we should undoubtedly find the proportions of the human form very well preferved. The back front of the Stadthouse is in feveral refpects fimilar to the firit, having feven entrances, and the ballo relievos in the pediment are equal in merit to the other: Amite dam is represented as a handfome woman, with the hat and wings of Mercury; in the back ground, the old city coat of arms (a fhip): round her, a great profution of mathematical intruments ufed in nautical affairs are trewed; the rive:-gods Y and Amftel lie at her feet; and the inhabitants of every quarter of the globe are pouring their treafures into her lap.

On the vortex of this pediment ftands an enormous ftatue of Atlas fupporting a globe, faid to be larger than that of St. Peter's, at Rome. This figure is of distinguished merit; the attitude is majestic and striking. No topographical delineations can be traced by a fpectator from the ground; but thofe who will take the trouble of afcending that height may approach it, and find, that even thefe minutiæ have been attended to.

Several writers affect to cenfure the plan of feven fmall entrances, as totally incongruous with architectural beauty. We concur in the idea of a chafm being made in architectural beauty; but we cannot cenfuze it. It is to be confidered, that the Provinces are fo many independent Republics, which coalefce for mutual benefit. In erecting the Stadthoufe, each province paid their quota of expences, as to an object of national utility and concern, therefore it would have been unkind to exclude the remembrance of the deed, by uniting all in one portal, when each. On the right ftands Temperance, Province might be fo aptly recognized in this grand national edifice.

The pediment claims a very respect ful notice: the large fpace of 82 feet by 18 is covered with a groupe of figures in white marble; the baffo relievo is bold, and extremely well executed; the defign difplays the talents of a malter. Amfterdam is reprefented by a woman of majestic deportment, clothed in a foreign drefs; The wears a crown upon her head, and holds in her left hand the arms of the city, and in the right a branch of olive; at her feet are two lions upon watch; Tritons, &c. are blowing her fame to the molt diftant corners; and Neptune, in his wave-borne chariot, is teen to fanction the tribute which is paid to the goddefs. At the top of the pediment three bronze ftatues, twelve feet high, are erected, repre fenting Strength, Wealth, and Justice: their execution is above mediocrity, yet they want those juit proportions which a knowledge in perfpeétive alone can give; but they are viewed at a very great

with a bridle in her hand, and on the left Vigilance, with a torch in one hand, and a book in the other: Vigilance is attended by a cock, as einblematical of watchfulness.

I have been the more particular in defcribing the exterior of the Stadthoufe, as I do not recollect to have feen it done by any other perfon (in Englim). I thall be equally explicit in detailing the curiofities of the interior, on the fame account. I will not trouble you with it now, as our patience may more cafily be protracted to the finishing of two fhort letters, than one, comprising the fame matter.

It was on the Dam facing the Stadthoufe that the fete of the alliance between the French and Dutch was celebrated 19th June 1795; the tree of liberty was erected on the fpot, and the portraits of the unfortunate Prince of Orange was cait into the flames. The Orange cockade was changed for the National one, and patriots thronged around this badge of Freedom, exulting in their victory.

*

The Patriots are the party or fa&ion adverfe to the Orange Family; they chofe this title as emblematical of their delign, which they allerted was "to fecure the liberties of the Republic."

The tree is a ftupendous pole, probably not less than 100 feet high; it is furmounted with a round hat inade of tin; the pole or malt is painted with the colours of the National flag, and is further embellished with an artificial fpiral foliage of the palm tree. Sweet emblems of joyful tranquillity, what a pity it is that you are the folitary marks of its existence!

LETTER V.

To the SAME.

I AM impatient to finish a description of the Stadthoufe while the feelings are warm, and the impreffion of every image is yet perfect in the mind. By delaying a few days, the beft part of thein would be only faintly difcriminated; vapid retrofpection and treacherous memory would ill fupply the defect: indeed, this cannot be too strongly impreffed upon the mind of every tia weller. If we would produce a faithful picture, we mult copy our fenfations at the moment of beholding the object, otherwile extraneous ideas intervene, and we exhibit a mere caricatura likenefs of the molt interesting fcenes. But why fwell my narrative with digref fons, when, even in the onward path, I may probably tire both you and my felf? On the ground floor of the Stadthouse the celebrated Bank is kept; the treafures are in vaults underneath. The Officers of the Bank have alfo domeftic apartments contiguous thereto. Of the Bank itself, or the treatures which it contains, we can fay nothing: filence is alfo impofed upon us refpecting the Torture Chamber, as we were not permitted to enter thofe apartments where the dread inftruments of excruciating mifery are piled in terrific forms.

To awaken recollection of the past, when it is painful, and behold, in the imagery of fancy, fellow-creatures lingering out the lait moments of a baleful existence in exquifite tortures, till the fluttering fpark of life is chafed away, and leaves the forry remnant of a lump of clay to wreaking vengeance, is unwife.

The feelings of fympathy, the luxury of tears, can never compenfate for the inroad which fuch a tep would make in the heart of fenfibility.

You will believe, that we very readily difpenfed with this curiofity in exchange for that of the Judgment Hall, or TRIBUNAL. The entrance is by biafs folding.

gates, the upper part of which are fatticed, and the lower part folid metal: they are ornamented with two cros fwords and Jupiter's beams of light. ning. Under the fwords is written, Difcite juftitiam moniti; and under the beams of lightning, Et non temnere Divos. The quotation is from Virgil; and every one knows the occafion on which it was written. The upper part of the gates alfo include the old and new arms of the city, and the under part Death's heads, and the common furniture of a charnel-houfe.

The floor is paved with marble, and the north and fouth walls are orna mented with Ionic and Corinthian pilafters. The cornice on the weft fide is fupported by four marble statues of naked women, two of which hide their faces with their hands, the others alfo exhibit marks of remorfe and fhame. Above the cornice three popular ancient hiftories in relief claim our notice. In the centre is comprised the memorable judgment of Solomon. On the left, the haunch fortitude and equity of the lawgiver Zeleucus, whofe fon having forfeited both his eyes for a crime which, in Europe, almost lofes the name of vice, the father fulfilled the law, by having one of his own and one of his fon's eyes put out.

On the right is reprefented the anecdote of Junius Brutus, who caufed his two fons to be beheaded for treafon. Above these groupes of figures are Romulus and Remus fucking a welf; and higher till, a figure of Jupiter witnefling the decifions of the law. Immediately above Zeleucus, Solomon, and Brutus, are placed the three Gor gons, Euryale, Medufa, and Stheno.

Above the feat where the Secretary fits to pronounce fentence of death, Amfterdam is again perfonified; the ftands on a pedeftal of black marble, in the character of a lovely virgin, holding in her hand the ferpent rod of Mercury; above her head, on the Imperial crown, is an eagle, with wings expanded, and on each side a watching lion; Neptune and Glaucus perfonify the rivers Y and Amftel, &c. On the pedeltal is the following infcription, which as it records the noble itrug. gles which the Dutch made to fecure their liberties, deserves to be transmitted to posterity :

"xxvIII. Cal. Oct. cɔɔcxLvII. QUO COMPOSITUM EST. BELLUM QUOD

FOEDERATI

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