FRENCH SCHOOL. ****0.000000 DAVID. 000000000000 FRENCH MUSEUM.

ROMULUS AND TATIUS.

The Sabines having declared war against the Romans, are already masters of the citadel, and the roman army has given way: « In this moment the Sabine women, whose carrying off had caused the war, hasten thither with dishevelled locks and disordered garments. Feminine fear ceding to the excess of domestic grief, they boldly throw themselves into the midst of a shower of darts, and, placing themselves between the two armies, amongst the spears enchain the fury of the combatants. Alternately addressing their fathers and their husbands, they conjure them not to imbrue their hands in each other's blood; not to destroy their kindred, their children, and the offspring of their children. If the alliances you have contracted through us, if our marriages excite your horror, turn your resentment against us; it is we who cause the wounds and death of our husbands and our fathers. We would rather perish than have to deplore for the rest of our lives the loss of a beloved spouse or revered sire. Suddenly a calm and silence succeeds; the hostile chiefs approach to conclude a treaty, by which they not only sign a peace, but also unite the two cities in one. »

David, in following the account of Titus-Livy, has, by way of episode, placed Tatius and Romulus kept asunder by Hersilia. It would require a greater space than our limits admit of to expatiate on all the perfections of this picture, we therefore merely observe, that it exhibits very great talent in respect to the composition and the design.

Engraved by M. R.-U. Massard.

Breadth, 20 feet 2 inches; height, 17 feet.