selves) more valuable, than mere descriptions of No. 1 and No. 2, intermingled with bits of small criticism, insinuated doubts of the authenticity of the picture, and sentimental tirades à propos des bottes-all intended to show off the critic to the best advantage. We are far from pretending to infallibility; for we have studied art long enough to know how great a degree of natural susceptibility, and continued and anxious labour, is required to a thorough knowledge of its niceties. Yet we are not without hopes that some remarks may fall from us, which men of feeling and understanding may not think altogether unworthy of being remembered. of Italy with which Vasari was more immediately ac- notices, framed and arranged upon this principle, will quainted; and the character of all the early Italian paint-prove more interesting, and (if we dare so far flatter ourings speaks strongly in favour of a similar origin in other districts. The art continued to improve; still, however, retaining a considerable portion of its original hardness and monotony, until the time of Da Vinci, Buonarotti, and Rafaelle, who, cultivating their natural genius by the study of the fragments of ancient art, first gave to painting that high ideal character, exquisite finish, and boundless variety, which became, in some measure, the character of their age. It would be out of place to enter at large, in this outline, into the individual differences of the artists and schools of this period. Suffice it to remark, that to the successful activity which for a while pervaded, in this department, the whole of Italy, succeeded an age of mawkish weakness. The immediate successors of Rafaelle, Titian, and Correggio, timidly imi.. tated the forms of their masters, without entering into their spirit, or daring to think or feel for themselves. Barocci, Pellegrini, and probably Parmeggianino, are exceptions; but even they have not escaped the prevailing mannerism. It was reserved for the Carracci to revive the old spirit, and with them commences a new Italian school, akin in feeling and spirit to the old masters, although, like the second temple, it attained not unto the glory of the former. The more detailed history of this school-its successful disciples, Guido, Dominichino, &c. -its weaker brethren, such as Albani and Schidone its opponents, Carravaggio, and his scholar Spagnoletto we reserve for another opportunity. LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES OF WERNERIAN SOCIETY. Saturday, 6th February. DAVID FALCONER, Esq. in the Chair. THERE was read a communication from Mark Watt, Esq., entitled, "Observations on the Aranea horticola, obtectrix, domestica, &c.; and particularly on the power they possess of fixing their threads horizontally, or at any degree of inclination to two perpendicular bodies at a considerThe school of the Netherlands, in its origin on the able distance from each other, so as to suspend the circular banks of the Lower Rhine, claims kindred, as well as the part of their web in an open space, together with some remarks Italian, with the latter ages of the Greek empire. We on the food of spiders." Mr Watt attributed the diversity of can trace in history the immigration of Byzantine artists opinion among naturalists, on the first branch of his subject, at various times; and, even without this guarantee, the species and age of spider observed, and of the season of the to the want of sufficient accuracy in noting the particular works of the earlier Low German artists, their composi-year at which the observations were made. Mr Watt had obtion, colouring, and the traditional forms and features of served four species of spiders which possessed the power of their saints and martyrs, show sufficiently whence they ejecting a thread of considerable length in a calm atmosphere, Iderived their art. A clear and genial climate, though and of directing it with great precision towards any spot to less glowing than that of Italy, a less perfectly beautiful which they intend to attach their web. These were: 1st, race of men, the absence of the relics of ancient art, acThe garden spider; 2d, A spider, not yet described, of a light count for the peculiar tone and character which the painting to one-third of the size of the common house spider; 3d, brown colour, larger than the gossamer spider, but not attaining of this country assumed in its progress towards per- The common gossamer spider; and, 4th, A small spider somefection. Never rising so high as the Italian school, it what resembling the sheep-tick, flat, green-bodied, with short never experienced, during the course of its existence, such dark-brown legs. This last mentioned spider does not seem an interval of weakness as did the latter, in the time im- to have been yet properly described. It is usually found among mediately preceding the Carracci. Yet, after the inter- stones and old walls; and is very fierce, beating off spiders course of the Netherland artists with Italy became more three times its own size. Mr Watt had placed a stone in the centre of a broad earthen plate, and filled the plate with frequent, the style of some of them received considerable modifications-as may be seen in the paintings of Rubens then, by means of a little clay or putty, placed a slip of wood water so as to leave the upper surface of the stone dry; he or a straw, from one to two feet high, so that it stood perpendicularly upon the stone. Some spiders (the species was not mentioned) were then placed upon the stone. He uniformly found, that as soon as they had reconnoitred their situation, they had recourse to one or other of two pro cesses, in order to effect their escape. The spider either allowed itself to drop by its line about two inches from the top of the stick, when, twining its spinners towards the wall of the apartment, it threw out its threads with great rapidity, until they reached the wall, where they stuck, upon which the animal immediately turned round, and, after fastening the ends of the threads to the sticks, ran across upon them; or it ejected a line upwards, by the buoyancy of which, the spider (if small) was carried to the roof of the room, or some high part of the wall. Mr Watt had often observed, in the months of June and August, individuals of the gossamer species take their flight from the end of his finger, and ascend with great rapidity. He had often observed the garden spider, when young, ascend, by emitting a long line at right angles to that by which it was suspended from any object. This animal becomes, when it attains its full size, too heavy to ascend by this means. In return, however, the larger it grows, the greater becomes its power of shooting out its thread in a straight line. Mr Watt had observed attentively the proceedings of a great many spiders of this species in the botanical garden at Ghent. The open spaces over which the lines were stretched were sometimes twelve -modifications sufficient to entitle some of their artists to be noticed apart from the rest of their countrymen. Speaking of the paintings of the present Exhibition, we propose arranging them under four classes, as suggested by the preceding sketch. The first will contain the works of the great, the early Italian school. The paintings of this class are not very numerous; and, although there are among them many valuable morceaux, we cannot say that there is any one that gives us an adequate idea of the full powers of the different masters. There is, however, enough to convey a general impression of some of their most valuable characteristics. The second class will contain the works of the Carracci, and their immediate successors. The Exhibition contains sufficient materials to convey a pretty adequate notion of the state of art during this period of its Italian history. The third class will comprise the specimens of the native school of the Netherlands. There is not a sufficient number of paintings of this school to give a complete notion of its character; but some of the individual pictures are most exquisite gems. In the last place, we propose making some remarks upon the paintings of Rubens, Vandyke, and Rembrandt-natives of the Netherlands, but born at a period when the art of Italy had breathed something of her spirit into her more earthly sister. It appears to us, that was connected, had been found to exert a very strong influence over the compass. SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES. Monday, 8th February. Sir HENRY JARDINE in the Chair. Present,-Sir George S. Mackenzie; Professor Russell; THE DRAMA. feet across, and the circular part of the webs from one and a half to two feet in diameter. In forming the long lines, the spider first ejects one across the whole space selected for its web; after strengthening this sufficiently, it takes post in the centre, and thence emits the others successively. These long lines radiate from the centres of the open spaces at acute angles to one another. In the essayist's opinion, this regularity could not have obtained, if the spiders had not possessed the power of directing them during the process of ejection to a given spot. The process by which spiders were able to eject such long threads in a straight line, Mr Watt proceeded to remark, had never been suffi- There were exhibited :-A splendid collection of Cyciently investigated by naturalists. He was of opinion, that reneic Antiquities (marbles and terra-cottas), transmitted to the projectile force of mere muscular motion was insufficient. the Society from the Colonial Office by Robert Hay, Esq., He had noticed a geometric spider throw out half the length Under Secretary of State; two clubs and a paddle, brought of line it intended to strike upon some object, and, after by Chevalier Captain P. Dillon from the Fejee Islands, resting a little, lengthen it so as to send it quite across. He presented by William Moncrieff, Esq. M. D.; and a vahad likewise observed spiders throwing out at once fourteen luable collection of books and engravings, presented by Lieut.or fifteen filaments, and while these were flying so as to di- General Ainslie, a Fellow, and by several Foreign Corresverge considerably, exercise some power over them by which pondents of the Society. An anonymous communication they were made to coalesce into one line, and that line was then read by Mr Skene, in which the various ancient forced to assume a straight direction. These phenomena authors who make mention of the aboriginal inhabitants of seemed only explicable upon the hypothesis that the spider Scotland were enumerated, and the amount of information emitted some gaseous matter, or some fluid analogous to contained in their writings on this subject, judiciously sumthe electric, along with the threads. Some thing of this kind med up. would be necessary to enable the thread to penetrate an atmosphere to which it seemed, in the moment of emission, inferior in specific gravity. Mr Watt adduced, in the conclusion of his essay, a number of facts contradictory of the BEFORE saying one or two things which may be thought generally received opinion, that all the spiders in this country a little severe, we beg to state that we look upon Vandenfeed exclusively on flies and other insects. The web of the hoff as one of the best actors to be met with out of London. common house spider is ill adapted, on account of its hori-He has a good figure, a good face, and a good conception of zontal position and the closeness of its texture, for catching almost all his parts. He bears himself well upon the stage, flies. Great numbers of the webs of this species, too, are found in situations where flies rarely or never approach. and walks the boards with confidence and He has These webs, indeed, seem best adapted for collecting house abundance of physical strength, and, on the whole, uses it dust, which consists in general of a mixture of the particles well. His perceptions are not very delicate, but in general of decomposed wood, lime, vegetable substances used as they are correct. He is of the Kemble school, however, and thatch, and the minute fungi called mould; and of these, the consequence is, that, though imposing, he is apt to be in all probability, the food of the domestic spider in a frigid. But this is not his chief fault. His chief fault great measure consists. The nest of one of those spiders was allowed to remain for six weeks, in the autumn of consists in an overweening fondness for mouthy decla1828, upon the roof of Mr Watt's dining-room. During mation, and a pomposity of manner at times scarcely endurable. When Vandenhoff was here two years ago, he that time, no fly was ever observed to approach it; but a film of size was peeled off the roof to the extent of two possessed this fault to a considerable extent, but it has inches round the nest. Another individual of the same grown upon him since; or, in parliamentary language, species was enclosed by Mr W. in a box, fed for three "has increased, is increasing, and ought to be diminishmonths on brown sugar, and increased, both in size and ac- ed." We can easily account for this mistake into which tivity, upon this fare. In winter, this spider is dormant; he has fallen, when we know that circumstances have during summer, if kept any length of time from food, it begins to decrease in size. When the temperature is high, excluded him from the metropolitan stage, where he it drinks water with avidity. would have had opportunities of forming his taste upon the best models, and have encountered actors, in most respects equal, and in many superior, to himself. Having, on the contrary, been obliged to remain a triton among the minnows of Liverpool and Manchester, he has not only had no opportunities of improving; but, finding himself the king of the establishment, he, very naturally, became grand, and formal, and most particularly pompous. Instead of acquiring additional ease, and grace, and flexibility, and energy,—instead of studying the effect of rapid transitions and varying modes of passion, There was next read a letter from the Rev. Alexander Duncan to the Secretary, containing a notice of a sort of fascination practised on small birds by the whitrit or weasel. A gentleman, riding in the neighbourhood of Mid-Calder, observed an object at some distance, apparently an animal coiled up, moving round and round. On approaching nearer, he found it to be a weasel; and he shortly after observed a lark directly above it, gradually descending, and uttering low plaintive notes. At last, it descended so low, that the weasel was able, by a spring, to catch and make off with it. The letter-writer's informant had been told of an instance precisely similar, which had happened in the North country. The reverend gentleman mentioned, as analogous to these facts, the account given by Howison of partridgeshooting in Canada. When a covey rises, the birds usually perch on the lower branch of a tree; and if the dog keep gazing and barking at them, they will sit there till they are shot, one after another. If the dog retire, or withdraw his gazing, they are off in an instant. A member mentioned, that he had occasion to know, that the dogs of poachers in this country had been known to exercise a similar influence over the partridge. The Rev. Dr Scot of Corstorphine read a Dissertation "on the Dishong of Moses, or Gazelle of the Plain, the Pygary of the English Bible." Mr Deuchar exhibited an interesting experiment in Magnetism. It is well known that soft iron is incapable of being permanently magnetised. If, however, a ball of soft iron be placed upon a magnet, and another ball of the same substance applied to it, the latter will be found to possess a stronger attraction for the former than the magnet. Mr Bald remarked, that bars of soft iron, which had lately been introduced into the mining establishments with which he grace. Cyrene was the capital of the country called Pentapolis by the ancients, and extended along the northern coast of Africa, from the eastern limits of Mauritania to the borders of Egypt. It enjoyed, for successive generations, the enlightening influence, first of the Ptolemies, and then of the Romans. In 1821-2, Captain Beechey and his brother, the artist, examined and delineated this portion of the coast and its antiquities with care and accuracy; and, in 1824-5, M. Pacho, incited by a prize offered by the Geographical Society of Paris, penetrated from Egypt into Cyrenaica. The architectural remains of Cyrene are few in number-chiefly an amphitheatre and several temples, all much delapidated. The marbles above-mentioned consist of a tolerably perfect statue of Esculapius, some fragments of bas-relief, with figures apparently forming part of a procession, and some heads. One of the heads is remarkably beautiful; another, which is much defaced, has a dotted ornament on the bandage, in general found only on very ancient statues. The style of workmanship of the figures in bas-relief does not indicate the hand of a firstrate artist; but the fine attitudes, and the elegantly disposed draperies, lead us to infer, that they are at least clever copies from good masters. Of the terra-cottas we may perhaps speak on some future occasion. Meanwhile, we must offer our congratulations to the Society on this valuable acquisition. We regard it as the foundation of a department which has hitherto been a desideratum in their collection, -a series of antiquities, serving to illustrate the history of ancient art-one of the most important purposes to which their researches W. can be devoted. instead of geting more classical and diversified in his gestures and, attitudes,-and above all, instead of attending to the more delicate modulation of his voice, to the richness of his tones, and the Tuscan accuracy of his enunciation, he has become, we are sorry to think, more stiff, more monotonous, and certainly more fond of mouthing his words, and of dwelling upon them with a certain rolling, rattling sort of noise in the throat, which may indicate a well-formed æsophagus, and a powerful pair of lungs, but which, from its continual repetition, grows at length almost ludicrous. We do not precisely accuse Vandenhoff of ranting; but we accuse him of what is nearly as bad,-of bawling, nay, of absolutely bellowing through many of his speeches. In addition to this, his pronunciation, in several instances, is quite preposterous. He seems, for example, to have no notion whatever of the close sound of the letter o; but invariably makes it broad and full. Thus, in “Macbeth,” in the soliloquy about the dagger, he says, "I see thee still, And on thy blade and dudgeon gouts of blood, Which was not so befaar!" Or, "Methought I heard a voice cry, Sleep no maur!” "Still it cried, Sleep no maur! to all the house; Glamis hath murder'd sleep, and therefore Cawdor Shall sleep no maur,-Macbeth shall sleep no maur !" We have heard an anecdote of an actor, not unknown to Mr Vandenhoff, which we shall take the liberty of telling, because we think it characteristic. The gentleman in question was asked to read Campbell's "Hohenlinden" one evening at a private party; he complied, and went on to near the conclusion, when he stopped, and shutting the book, said," Were I to go on I should split the daar!" Now, Mr Vandenhoff not unfrequently feels a slight inclination, when on the stage, "to split the daar." He has in reality an excellent voice, and he has no idea how much farther he might make it go did he only think less about it, and allow it to be more naturally modulated by the varying tone of his feelings. This is indeed what we chiefly wish to impress upon him—that his acting ought to be more full of the impulses of the moment, or at least of what might appear to be such. At present, he goes through a character too much as if it were all a splendid piece of declamation—a cold, preconceived, unbending study. But, whatever acting in point of fact be, it should never seem to be this, else the spectator begins to yawn, and the whole is pronounced heavy. This is the very epithet which will soon attach itself to Vandenhoff's acting, it will be called heavy, unless he looks to it narrowly, collects his good sense, shakes off the trammels of mannerism, thinks more of the part he is embodying than of either his own voice or person, and ceases to chew his words before he lets them pass out of his mouth, dwelling upon them with a purring noise, and allowing the sounds to swell and die with a most musical cadence. This must be reformed altogether, else we should like to know with what conscience Mr Vandenhoff will be able to say to the Player in " Hamlet,"-" Speak the speech, I pray you, as I pronounced it to you, TRIPPINGLY ON THE TONGUE; but if you мOUTH it, as some of our players do, I had as lief the town-crier spoke my lines." We throw out these hints in the hope that Mr Vandenhoff may profit by them, and that before he leaves us we may be able to report an evident improvement. We write with all kindly feelings towards this gentleman, of whose merits, which are many, we shall be glad to speak at greater length hereafter. The theatre has been but poorly attended this week. Perhaps one reason is, that the public, knowing that Young is soon to be here, do not think it necessary to go till they can see him and Vandenhoff together. Jarman has returned to us, and appears to-night as Emily Tempest, in the "Wheel of Fortune." She was announ Miss ced also to appear as Clari on Wednesday last, but when the evening came, the piece was not produced, which somewhat disappointed us. Old Cerberus. METROPOLITAN THEATRICALS. London, February 8, 1830. RAYMOND'S melo-drama of "Robert the Devil, Duke of Normandy," produced on the 2d instant at CoventGarden, is a melange from the French of several old ghost stories, rather skilfully put together; and, from its many attractive and effective coups de theatre, likely to have a run, as a substitute for the pantomime, which, alas for the fame of Mr Farley! is now played only once a-week. Thursday, February the 4th, made memorable by the opening of Parliament, introduced a new drama at Covent-Garden, Drury-Lane, and the Adelphi, all of which were deservedly successful, and, in the order of their own importance, were as follows:-" Ninette, or the Maid of Polaiseau," a new three-act version of the everlasting" Gazza Ladra," with Rossini's music, adapted by Bishop, introduced Miss Paton, after a two years' absence, to a crowded audience, who welcomed her return with clamorous enthusiasm; when she sang and acted with all her unexceeded talent. The story is, of course, the same as in the former adaptations of the same opera; and, with the able support of Bartley, Wood, Keeley, Penson, and a new bass singer of the name of Morley, "Ninette" will doubtless be popular. DruryLane's novelty was Planche's long-promised translation of Scribe's "La Fiancée," in the shape of a two-act opera, entitled "The National Guard, or Bride and No Bride," with the original music, by Auber. This, also, was decidedly successful. The plot is most admirably developed; the poetry and music equally beautiful; and, when I state that the leading performers were Liston, W. Farren, Cooper, and Madame Vestris, it is quite unnecessary to praise the acting. The Adelphi's attraction was a one-act burletta, called the "Bricklayer's Arms," founded, I believe, on the same French bagatelle which furnishes the materiel for a new farce to-night at Covent-Garden, under the euphonious title of “Teddy the Tiler!" for neither of which can I predict great longevity, though good acting may give them a temporary triumph. The Drury-Lane Boxes being again, very wisely, raised to seven shillings, that measure, aided by the attractions of Kean and the pantomime, has been duly felt in the treasury since Christmas; and new dramas from Morton, Poole, Peake, Peacock, &c. are in readiness at both houses to continue their success. The remaining dramatic news will not tire your patience in reading it. Kean is absent, from one of his periodical illnesses; the French players have commenced at the English Opera House, with the very clever Potier as their leading star; and the King's Theatre opened on Saturday last with "Semiramide," to a very thin audience, and with, at present, by no means a first-rate company. ORIGINAL POETRY. A PICTURE FROM LIFE. By Henry G. Bell. I'LL tell thee, lady, what I saw One evening in a lighted hall; It is a sight we oft may see, Yet felt by few, though seen by all. I saw a youth of gallant mien, But there was one on whom alone His envied smiles were all bestow'd; And ever as he turn'd to her, His mantling cheek more brightly glow'd. I mark'd her well,-and liked her not, Methought she had a heartless air. And if she smiled upon the youth, "Twas only with the poor design, To prove to all that he was hers An humble votary at her shrine. Now note me well; for in that hall She seem'd more fair than she who bore The fairer, that, with flushing cheek, She deeply watch'd the young knight too! And with a weight of tenderness That melted in her eye of blue. He knew it not; he only saw The dazzling thing round whom he hung; With her he trod the mazy dance, For her he talk'd—with her he sung. Yet did that silent maiden drink Each treasured accent as it fell; Though, by her throbbing heart, I guess'd That she had heard the words too well. It was a sight that scarce could fail 'Tis ever thus in this dark life, We stand beside our greatest good, And know it not, but pass it by In careless and unthinking mood. We pass it by, and earnestly In search of idle baubles go; And when they burst, we vainly wish That we had known what then we know. TO A LADY. By Lawrence Macdonald. THIS meeting and this parting o'er, Whate'er of profit has been mine, SONNET. ON SIR THOMAS LAURENCE'S PORTRAIT OF MRS PEEL. By R. Shelton Mackenzie, Editor of the Carlisle Patriot. Is hush'd and stirless as an infant's sleep! On that proud brow there is the stamp of mind,-- In those dark eyes lie lightnings that would blind, LITERARY CHIT-CHAT AND VARIETIES. THE FAMILY CLASSICAL LIBRARY.-The second volume of this valuable publication, consisting of Translations of the most celebrated Greek and Roman historians, poets, orators, &c. is just pub lished. It comprises the conclusion of the orations of Domesthenes, and the whole of Sallust, with two portraits. In this important undertaking, it is proposed to adopt those translations which have obtained the most general credit, and occasionally-where it may seem requisite to present an entirely new version of an author from some pen of acknowledged excellence. A new novel, from the pen of Mr Horace Smith, may be expected early in the ensuing month. It is a Tale of the Court of James II. Among the characters who have a prominent place in the work, besides the King himself, are Lord and Lady Sunderland, the Duchess of Portsmouth, Sir Charles Sedley and his daughter, Count Grammont, the Prince of Orange, Dryden, Judge Jefferies, &c. &c. Sir Edmond Temple's Travels in Peru are nearly ready for publication. They include a year's residence at Potozi, and are said to throw much light on the mining speculations in that country. The third volume of the Correspondence of Dr Doddridge is in a state of forwardness. It includes, we understand, Letters of the most distinguished individuals of his time. The lovers of music will be gratified to learn, that Mr Parke, the principal oboist at Covent Garden Theatre for forty years, has just completed a work, entitled Musical Memoirs, comprising an account of the state of Music in England, from the first commemoration of Handel in Westminster Abbey in 1784, to 1829, interspersed with numerous anecdotes of distinguished professors. The correspondence and Diary of Ralph Thoresby, so long announced, are at length just ready for publication. The name of Thoresby has long been familiar to the public ear. In the antiquarian literature of the country he ranks deservedly high. His Ducatus Leodiensis, or Topography of Leeds, has always been a book prized and popular; and there is scarcely an antiquary, or a distinguished naturalist of his time, with whom he was not intimately acquainted, and, among others, with Nicolson, Gibson, the Gales, Smith, Hyckes, Strype, Hearne, and Baker. But, perhaps, he is best known as the possessor of a very extensive and curious museum, in which were deposited the rarest specimens of art and nature. This work may consequently be expected to contain a variety of original and curious notices of nearly all the literary and scientific characters who flourished at the close of the 17th and at the beginning of the 18th centuries. A new work, by the authoress of Hungarian Tales, is about to make its appearance, under the title of The Manners of the Day. The Oxonians, a novel, from the pen of the author of the Roué, is in the press. Tales of the Colonies, from the pen of W. Howison, Esq., the author of Sketches of Canada, will appear immediately. The second and concluding volume of the Reminiscences of Henry Angelo will speedily be published. Julia Romano, an Epic Drama, in Six Books, by Charles Bucke, is on the eve of publication. In announcing this poem, the author expresses himself in these words :-" This drama will be respectfully submitted to the lovers of poetry, history, and romance, as a new species of dramatic poem; and as being, to the best knowledge the author has of his own mental associations, perfectly original in all its parts." Sir Thomas Lawrence, during his visit, some years ago, to Italy and other parts of the Continent, kept a journal, in which he insert ed elaborate criticisms on such works of the old masters as came under his observation. These are now likely to be given to the world, as they have been placed by the family in the possession of Mr Campbell. SCANDINAVIAN POETRY-DR BOWERING.-We observe that Dr Bowering, the most indefatigable modern linguist living, has just published a volume of poetical translations illustrative of the literature of Hungary and Transylvania; and we have now before us the prospectus of another work of a similar kind which he is preparing, and which will be published under the title of Songs of Scan. dinavia. It will extend to two volumes, the first of which will contain about one hundred specimens of the ancient popular ballads of north-western Europe, arranged under the heads of Heroic, Super natural, Historical, and Domestic Poems; while the second will con tain many of the most remarkable lyrical productions of the modern school of Danish poetry. Dr Bowering deserves more than well of his country for his perseverance in this particular department of literature, the more especially as profit is not the object of his translations, which, from their possessing only a limited interest, are not calculated, as Dr Bowering well knows by experience, to bring any pecuniary reward to their author. FOREIGN LITERATURE.-The French Keepsake is a rival worthy of our English work bearing the same title. The engravings are all English. Chateaubriand, Lamartine, and other writers of celebrity, are among the contributors.-M. Quatremère de Quincy has lately added to his already numerous productions on subjects connected with the fine arts, the History, Lives, and Works of the most celebrabrated Architects, from the eleventh to the close of the eighteenth century; illustrated with views of the most remarkable edifices erected by them.-Twenty cantos of the Divina Commedia have been translated into French verse by M. Antoni Deschamps, and published at Paris with some success.-The History of the Ancient Agriculture of the Greeks, from Homer to Theocritus, with an appendix, relating to its present state in Greece, has appeared in Paris from the pen of Baron de la Bergerie.-M. Mermet the elder announces the recovery of a work hitherto unknown in Latin literature, the History of Vienne under the Twelve Cæsars, by Trebonius Rufinus, senator and decemvir of the city. Should it be really the case that a work of this writer has been preserved, whose existence is only known from the mention of his name by Pliny the younger, we shall be anxious for a sight of it. PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY'S SECOND CONCERT.-This Concert was much better attended than the first, and went off with eclat. Weber's fine overture to the "Ruler of the Spirits," was encored. The sicilano and rondo on the clarionet by Kluissman, was a novelty which was favourably received; and the divertimento on the violon. cello by Hancox obtained well-merited applause. Miss E. Paton's song, "Deh! calma l'affanno," we consider the most successful vocal effort of the evening, and decidedly superior to Miss Inverarity's "Ah che forse." We say this because we think a too great lavishness of praise has been bestowed upon the latter young lady, who, although she certainly has a fine body of voice, and, considering her opportunities, has made very respectable progress, has not yet acquired the sweetness, flexibility, grace, and science of Miss E. Paton. Had Miss E. Paton just a little more energy and expression, we scarcely know a singer whom we should place before her. The trio from "Vallery," by Finlay Dun, is a wild, original, and beautiful composition. The instrumental part, in particular, is highly imaginative and graceful, though perhaps a little too redundant in ornament. Miss Hartley, who sang one of the solo parts, distinguished herself greatly by the taste and feeling she infused into it. The trio was unanimously encored. In conclusion, we must not forget to mention the improvement which Mr Wilson has made since last winter. His voice is richer and more under scientific control, and his style altogether is far more refined. All that he now wants is a greater degree of energy and brilliancy, which, in the winding up of such a song as "Fra un istante," is essentially necessary.-In the ensuing Professional Concerts, several novelties will, we understand, be produced. Among others, there is to be a new Overture, by Mr G. F. Graham, one by the celebrated Young Mendelssohn, a Scena for Miss Inverarity, by Mr Murray, and a Concerted Piece by Mr John Thomson. THE SCOTTISH ACADEMY.-The Exhibition at the Scottish Academy opens this day, and we have already seen the greater part of the pictures. We regret to learn that Etty has been too much engrossed by the duties falling upon him as Committee-man upon the death of the President, to finish his promised picture. To make amends, we feel ourselves justified in announcing, that, to judge from the specimens we have already seen, we believe the present will prove the finest exhibition of modern paintings we have yet had in Edinburgh. It will, at all events, be the richest in native talent. Ewbank is coming down upon us in force with his full complement of pictures. Duncan, who has made prodigious advances since last year, has a splendid "Last May a braw wooer came doon the lang glen," and also a portrait of a gentleman of this city, which entitles him to rank high in that branch of art, besides other works of distinguished merit. Lees has, among other things, a "Milton dictating to his daughters," in which the dignified bearing of the blind old bard is most happily conceived. Dyce has a rich and ripe Flora, a lovely moonlight, and a "Hercules strangling the Serpents," in which the power and passion of the demigod are beautifully blended with the unformed innocence of the child. D. O. Hill has a scene from the Gentle Shepherd, in which the rich fulness of the Peggy contrasts finely with the beautiful but somewhat snappish look of the Jenny : while Glaud listens to the pretended conjuror's display of power with a gash "hoo-the-deil-cam-ye-to-ken-that" sort of look. Lauder has three portraits and a Sentinel, of which we know that Wilkie has expressed himself in terms of high approbation. Fletcher has a most characteristic bust of Mrs Hemans, and a splendid one of the Duke of Argyle. These, with many others we could mention, will, we think, bear us out in our assertion. The hanging committee are, Messrs Colvin Smith, Kidd, and M'Leay. We can scarcely, however, congratulate these gentlemen on their promotion to that happy eminence, where the most favoured will give them no thanks, and nine out of ten will abuse them for their arrangements. Theatrical Gossip.-The Oratorios have commenced in London.— There has been a Masquerade at Covent-Garden, under the direction of Charles Wright, which was crowdedly, but very promiscuously, attended. The veteran comedian, Quick, completed his eightythird year last November, and has lately become very much enfeebled, so that he is unable to take his accustomed walks. He, however, still enjoys good health, and excellent spirits, and his appetite is as good as when a young man; but to appear before the public again would be a task quite impossible.-Sontag is now performing at Aix-la-Chapelle, and the report that she is about to leave the stage has fallen asleep.-In the 24 No. of the Yankee and Boston Literary Gazette, recently established, we find the following specimen of American eloquence on the subject of the drama :-" But the Drama-the legitimate and awful Drama-I do not mean the bastard issue of caricature and show, of barbarous peageantry and spectacle, is the generous high-hearted offspring either of savage strength, walking with a LOUD VOICE among the UNVISITED SOLITUDES of the human heart, or of poetry and eloquence under a high state of cultivation-perhaps under the highest, wandering about the earth, like the animated STATUARY of Olympus." This sentence is worthy the pen of that French female, who having tumbled from the gallery into the pit, and broken her leg, only exclaimed," Mon Dieu! after I had got the very front seat!"-On his return from Aberdeen, Braham is to give a Concert in Edinburgh, the first part of which will consist entirely of sacred, and the second of miscellaneous music.-Young is to visit us shortly; and we learn that Miss Fanny Kemble will positively be in Edinburgh in June.-The national play of "Waverley," and the melo-drama of "Masaniello, or the Dumb Girl of Portici," are in preparation.-Mathews is now in Liverpool.-Fanny Ayton and Thorne are at Belfast. TO OUR CORRESPONDENTS. OUR readers will be able to form some idea of what is technically that we have this week alone upwards of thirty pages in types, though termed "the press of matter" under which we labour, when we state we can make room for only fourteen. It shall all be forthcoming, however, in the course of time. The interesting article by the Author of "Anster Fair" in our next. We shall endeavour to find room, ere long, for the remarks "On Sacred Poetry," though the sentiments are not altogether accordant with our own.-The extract from M. Villemain's opening Lecture will be inserted if possible.-"Sketches from the Portfolio of a Traveller" are in types, but are still unavoidably postponed.-To the query of "R. D." we answer, that the Author of Waverley's health has been given more than once at public dinners in the presence of Sir Walter Scott, who joined in drinking the toast without acknow ledging it as a personal compliment. The paper entitled "A Midnight Scene," is imaginative; but somewhat flowery and unnatural. We are glad to hear from Laura again.-We think the opinions of "P." altogether apocryphal; his verses will not suit us; the Anecdote may be of use. We shall be glad if " W." will favour us with a call early next week. -The "Lines to her who best can understand them," may have a place by and by.-We are afraid we cannot make room for the "Song" from Leith, the more especially as it has already appeared in print. -Neither the prose nor the poetry of "J. S.", will suit us.-The following verses are inadmissible :-"The Grave of a Parent's Hope," "A Broken Heart," Stanzas" by " J. C.," and "Forsaken Emma." |