cature on English criticism ceases the better; however, it
is never likely to prove a public nuisance, for its readers
will not probably extend much beyond its thirty subscri-
bers, in the number of whom, I need not add, after what
I have said, will never be comprised,-Your sincere
friend,
J. D. SINCLAIR.*

FINE ARTS.

THE FOURTH EXHIBITION OF THE SCOTTISH ACADEMY. (Concluding Notice.)

We propose to say a word or two this week of the most deserving artists among those whom we consider, either from their pursuing a false bent, or from their being yet too young in art, inadmissible into that class, upon the labours of whose members we rest our hopes of the suc

the literature of this classic land,-critical reviews of the
most important Italian works, as soon as they are pub-
lished,—and general intelligence, scientific and literary,
from Rome, Florence, Naples, &c. After sixteen months'
gestation, having, in the meantime, obtained about thirty
subscribers, at a guinea each,—“ parturiunt montes, nasci- |
tur ridiculus mus,"—the long threatened performance was
at length published a few days ago. It is about the size
of the Literary Gazette, containing twelve pages of letter-
press; but, from the large type and mode of printing, not
more than half the quantity of matter either in that pe-
riodical or in the Edinburgh Literary Journal. The price
of each number is 5 pauls, or 2s. 3d., though I question
if it would sell for 3d. in England. There are only two
original articles, which occupy nine or ten pages; the first
is a spirited, well-written paper on the defective regula-
tions relating to literary property in Italy, and the sub-cess of painting in Scotland.
ject is treated with much ability by H. G. B., who
resides at Pisa under a cloud, for this is not only a resort
for English invalids, but also a refugium peccatorum.
There is so great a similitude between Italy and Ger-
many-both divided into a number of different states, the
same language being common to all—that it would appear
natural, as far as literature is concerned, to consider them
as one family, which might easily be done were the Ita-
lian princes to enter into an arrangement in order to pre-
vent the introduction of surreptitious editions of the works
of native authors into their respective states, similar to the
agreement made by the consent of the German sovereigns
at the Diet. The great disadvantage in Tuscany, for in-
stance, is, that an author not only enjoys no copyright of
his own works—it may be granted as a matter of favour
by the Grand Duke for a limited time-but at Turin,
Milan, Venice, or any other city, his work may be re-
printed by any bookseller who chooses to run the risk,
thus depriving the unfortunate author of nearly all the
profits of his labours, which every enterprising publisher
may pocket. The remedy proposed by the writer is one
which might easily be adopted, viz. that all the universi-
ties in Italy should make common cause, and petition
their respective governments to effect a change so much
required for the benefit of authors, and for the extension
of literature in general.

The second article, by the editor himself, is a criticism on the review which appeared in a late number of the Foreign Quarterly of Rosini's interesting romance, "La Monaca di Monza." Some curious particulars are given, relating to the origin of this work, which is the production of the learned professor's leisure hours; but the tenor of the whole is too much in the style of a puff, totally uncalled for, in favour of a novel which passed through twelve editions in Pisa, Florence, and Turin, in the course of a few months. Our critic speaks of it in what he is pleased to term "his present discourse," as "above all condemnation."

To these two articles are added reviews of five new works-none of them of the slightest general interest, even in Italy-huddled into less than a couple of pages, without giving a single extract from any of them, except one stanza, I believe, of "Alcune rime di F. Sacchetto." Finally, the twelfth and last page of this periodical contains half-a-dozen advertisements of pictures and books for sale, and furnished lodgings to let, &c. &c. I doubt not you are heartily tired of this sorry attempt at an English literary journal abroad, and I shall be rather surprised if it proves more successful than the similar one started in Pisa some years ago by Leigh Hunt, called the "Liberal," which dropped after the third number, though he reckoned amongst his contributors Lord Byron and the unfortunate Shelley. Were this paper in good hands, it would be very gratifying to see it prosper; but if it gains no strength as it proceeds, the sooner so miserable a cari

This is, of course, not the H. G, B. of the Literary Journal, but, we believe, Mr H. Gray Bennet. The coincidence is curious.

D. O. HILL. It was with considerable reluctance, and after careful reflection, that we excluded this artist from the highest class. He has evidently been working hard, and not without effect. His landscapes are among the best in the Exhibition. His "Sir William Worthy telling Patie's fortune," has much good matter in it. There is a rich, ladylike expression about Peggy, and her look towards the pretended fortune-teller is as of one whose deep love struggles to make her believe what her better sense rejects. Jenny's air of espiéglerie contrasts finely with the deeper feeling of her lovely companion. The other figures are all respectable. Of Mr Hill's landscapes the best is No. 140-" The Musselcraig of the Antiquary." This artist is most to seek in the matter of true and simple colouring.

JAMES STARK has some pretty landscapes in his peculiar style. He seems to have been trained in the same school with the Nasmyths, but he has better and more massive foregrounds, a stronger body of colour, his trees are less dotty, and his distance more aerial.

Mr SELBY has two clever pictures in his department. We have long known this gentleman's talents as an accurate illustrator of zoological works, but this year he has gone beyond himself. There is the true feeling of an artist in "Hopes Destroyed." The malicious cock of the magpie's tail, and the gusto with which he slubbers up the egg, are highly characteristic. The impotent rage of the male bird, who puts his whole soul into his attack on the plunderer, and the helpless wailing of the mother, which we almost hear, are beautifully conceived and expressed. If Mr S. would give more truth to the colouring of his accessories, and choose more artist-like backgrounds, he would leave us nothing to wish in his little pieces.

ALEXANDER FRASER is scarcely himself this year. He has no such nice compact piece of painting as his " Tinker," exhibited last season. There is not one of his productions in which we could not point out something that is good, but there is not one that produces any effect as a whole. His drawing is execrable, as witness the Fisherman, in No. 117, and his Girl at the Pump, in No. 99.

ROBERTS has only one picture and it proves nothing but a great deal of wasted time and talent. What has set him a-copying Martin? He can paint, and Martin cannot. On the other hand, there is a passionate frenzied power about Martin, that gives an interest even to his worst productions, and of this Roberts has not a tittle. Back! back! within the lawful boundaries of

art!

DANIEL MACNEE has a prettily drawn and coloured picture of a Girl, No. 297.

BONAR has some nice little things; but he had as good, if not better, last year.

ROBERT GIBB is a promising artist; but he must take care, for he is giving in to a meretricious style of colouring.

Author of the entertaining volume of Constable's Miscellany, entitled "An Autumn in Italy."

WILLIAM KIDD has a very clever illustration of the scribed by Humboldt. His Indian guides led him to a great Gentle Shepherd, showing

"how the tawse

Were handled by revengeful Mause."

It is a very well painted picture, and enters, moreover, completely into the humour of Ramsay.

We are seriously angry with J. B. KIDD. Last year he promised something, but this year he has scarcely a picture that is worth any thing. There is neither a body of colour, truth to nature, or beauty of any kind, in his paintings. That he should be so utterly unconscious of his deficiencies as to expose to public view that glaring daub, No. 260, augurs ill of his future progress. The foreground is shadowy and unsubstantial; the green of the trees cold and unnatural, and most absurdly placed upon an equally cold blue; the hills are hard, and the whole scene, though called morning, might, with equal justice, be called evening. The View of Abbotsford is, if possible, worse, with its long, harsh, unnatural lines of light, and its deer from a toy-shop. The only tolerable picture by this artist in the Exhibition, is a " View of Inch Calliach, on Loch Lomond," (No. 15.)

WILLIAM SMELLIE WATSON has two fancy pieces-" La Sœur de la Charité" (155) and "The Correspondent" (193.) They are too much mere pieces of trickery-attempts to catch the eye by transparency and strong reflection.

variety, all of which, however, had more or less of an acrid and deleterious principle mixed with the lactescent quality. At last, on an excursion up the river Demerara, he was told by the native inhabitants of a settlement just below the first rapids, of a tree, called by the Indians Hya-hya, the milk of which was both drinkable and nutritious. The specimen of this plant, seen by Mr Smith, had a trunk from 16 to 18 inches in diameter; and was from 30 to 40 feet high, branching from the top. The bark was greyish, slightly scabrous, and about a quarter of an inch thick; and the milk seemed to be secreted between it and the wood. The leaves were elliptic, acuminate, smooth, and oppositely pinnate. The flower was monopetalous; the calyx single, contiguous to the flower, and four-parted; the peduncle axillary, bearing four flowers, and sometimes five. The flower was sufficiently developed to enable Mr Smith to ascertain that it belonged to the elass Pentandria, and the order Monogynia. The tree had been felled before Mr Smith saw it, and having fallen across a small rivulet, the water was completely whitened by its juice. The milklike fluid was richer and thicker than cow's milk, and quite destitute of all acrimony, leaving only a slight feeling of clamminess on the lips. This viscosity it lost when drunk in warm coffee, with which it mixed freely, and appeared incapable of being distinguished from animal milk. A portion of the juice, preserved in a bottle, did not begin to curdle till the seventh day after it was taken from the tree; and on the twelfth day, some of it was used by Mr Smith in tea, without its being discovered from animal milk by those who drank it. The Hya-hya is said to be by no means uncommon in the woods of Demerara; and there is reason to hope that its fruit may soon be procured. A dried specimen of the Hya-hya, and a small bottle of the milk, were transmitted by Mr Smith to Professor Jameson, FRANCIS GRANT'S "Trooper of the Ninth Lancers,' along with his letter. The latter is now undergoing a chemical investigation; the former was exhibited to the meet(163,) is a spirited performance, in the manner of Velas-ing, accompanied by descriptive notes from the pen of Mr quez; and his " Portrait of Lord Gray on a favourite Walker Arnott. This gentleman referred the Hya-hya to Pony," is a fine bold piece of painting. the natural order of Apocynec, and the genus TabernaThe usual promontana-under the name of T. utilis. perties of the milk of the Apocyneæ," continued Mr Arnott, are deleterious, and it is rather remarkable to find an instance to the contrary in this tribe; and I do not think there is any other on record. Future observations may however, perhaps, ascertain similar mild qualities in other species of Taberna-montana, especially in their young There is no great display of Sculpture this year-no- branches, or when the sap is on the ascent, and before it be thing but busts. The best are Mrs Hemans (332) and elaborated. Among the Asclepiadea of Brown, which the Duke of Argyle, (330,) by Fletcher; "a Gentle-have similar baneful properties, and which many botanists, indeed, consider a mere section of Apocyneæ, an instance is man," (329,) by J. Steell; and the Reverend Dr Peddie, also known of the milk being wholesome; I allude to a (331,) by Joseph. plant found in Ceylon, which the natives call Kiriaghuna, from Kiri (milk), and employ its milky juice when the milk of animals cannot be procured; its leaves are even boiled by them as a substitute in such dishes as require to be dressed with milk-it is the Gymnema lactiferum of Brown. The young shoots of several species of plants belonging both to the Asclepiadea and Apocyneæ are used as food."

Nearly the same sentence may be passed on the PRESIDENT'S "Female Ornithologist" (1,) and his "Study" (234.)

The painter of "An Old Cottager" (199) need not fear to lay aside his " Anonymous" he has the right

stuff in him.

It really does not occur to us that there is another picture in the Exhibition worth noticing, either for praise or blame.

We are given to understand that the duty of selecting the pictures fit to be exhibited, and that of hanging them when selected, devolved this year upon two different bodies. We really cannot determine which has shown least judgment in the discharge of its office.

For the benefit

66

of those upon whom the task may devolve next year, we would suggest, in the first place, that good critics are apt Dr Scot read an essay "On the question-whether doto judge of an exhibition by the quality, not by the quan-mestic poultry were bred among the ancient Jews?" tity, of the pictures it contains; and, in the second place, that the situation of a picture should be determined by its intrinsic merit, and by the light best adapted to it, not solely by its fitness to fill up some vacancy.

LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES OF
EDINBURGH.

WERNERIAN SOCIETY.

Saturday, 6th March.

HENRY WITHAM, Esq. in the Chair.
Present,—Professors Graham and Brunton; Drs Greville
and Scot; Walker Arnott, James Wilson, James Hogg,
Patrick Neill, Esqrs. &c. &c.

THERE was read a letter from James Smith, Esq. to Professor Jameson, containing an account of the Hya-hya, or Milk-tree of Demerara. It appeared from this communication that the writer, during his travels in South America, was constant in his enquiries after trees yielding a milky juice, similar to the Palo de Vaca (or Cow-tree) de

ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY.

Monday, 8th March.

Professor RUSSELL in the Chair.

Present, Dr Moncrieff; Donald Gregory, Gabriel Surrene, T. Repp, Esqrs. &c. &c.

There was exhibited, by permission of John Gregory, Esq. advocate,Commission by the Rector, Principals, Doctors, and Professors of the University of St Andrews, dated 10th June, 1673, to Mr James Gregory, Professor of Mathematics in the University, to go to London to purchase instruments necessary for the proper teaching of NaUniversity; and to obtain the most approved plan for an tural Philosophy, Mathematics, and Astronomy, in the said Observatory to be erected at St Andrews.

There was then read,-An enquiry into the origin, use, and disuse, of the instrument called "the Maiden," and into the Laws and Customs in virtue of which Criminals were decollated by the said instrument,-by Monsieur G. Surrene, F.S. A., Scotland, and Corresponding Member of the Grammatical Society of Paris,

confidently believes, the finest in Europe, and worth twenty thousand pounds; but he directs them to be offered to "his most gracious Majesty for eighteen thousand pounds." In case of his declining to take them, they are to be offered to the British Museum, Mr Peel, and Lord Dudley, in succession; and if not purchased by either of those parties, are to be advertised in "all the capitals and principal cities in Europe, for twenty thousand pounds, and afterwards sold by pub. lic auction."

A FLOURISHING CONCERN.-A subscriber to a journal once remon. strated with the editor on the lateners of the hour at which his paper was sent to him. "Sir," said the latter, "you are the only subscriber who complains."—" Indeed!"-"Yes, sir-you are the only subscriber we have!"

SOCIETY FOR RELIEF OF THE DESTITUTE SICK.-There is no benevolent Institution in this city more entitled to public support than this. Its "Report" for the year 1829 has just been published, by which it appears that its expenditure has amounted to £1513, 3s. 113d., whilst its receipts have only been £1156, 6s. 4¡d.

There

is every reason, therefore, especially during the prevalence of the present distress, to call upon its friends for the exercise of an increased liberality, else the resources of the Society will be more than exhausted.

CHIT-CHAT FROM LONDON.-It is reported that Miss Landon is writing a novel. This young lady is rather under the middle size; her figure is slight, and her complexion very delicate. Though her features are not regular, they are expressive and pleasing. She has a fine brow, and quick sparkling eyes. She is fond of dancing, and excels in that accomplishment.-The second number of Fraser's new Magazine is considered superior to the first.-Excellent Dioramas, Cosmoramas, and Panoramas, are now open, all of which are well attended.-Tam O'Shanter and the Souter still continue to attract numerous visitors.-The Concerts and Oratorios have now commenced, at which Miss Paton and Donzelli seem to take the lead.A Masquerade was lately perpetrated in the Opera-House, which, though the papers say it went off with "prodigious eclat," was neither more nor less than a scene of riot and licentiousness.-Haydon has recently finished two large paintings, both of which he is now exhibiting. The first is from a subject suggested by Plutarch, who says that a certain Athenian, called Eucles, rushing from the battle of Marathon, as soon as the victory was decided, ran, wounded and exhausted as he was, to the city, and shouting, "Hail! we triumph!" dropped instantly dead. The other is a comic piece, illustrating the peculiarities of "Punch and Judy," and their motley group of spectators.-Mr Westmacott is delivering a course of Lectures on Sculpture, at the Royal Academy, which are received with much satisfaction.-The London University is at present in the very worst possible condition. The only classes which have at all suc ceeded are the Medical, while the rest, including those for Mathematics, Natural Philosophy, Greek, and Latin, are almost at a stand. The general opinion is, that the funds have not been properly economized; but have been too prematurely squandered on an expensive building, and in costly salaries.-A Monsieur Dupont is delivering! a course of French Dramatic Readings, which are favourably received. -Mr Buchanan has recently opened a 'small Gallery of Paintings in Regent Street, many of which are from the celebrated collection of Danoot at Brussels. Among other artists, the collection contains works by Rubens, Teniers, Rembrandt, Titian, Wouvermans, Vandyck, Albert Cuyp, and Richard Wilson.

THINGS WORTH KNOWING.-China was full of books before there was a man in Europe who could either read or write.-One of Mahomet's rules for securing happiness in the married state was this :-"Wives, behave to your husbands in the same manner that your husbands behave to you."-Some of the bridges of London are built, and some of the streets paved, with Scotch stone; there are excellent freestone quarries near Bath, but the expense of conveyance to London by land is greater than from Scotland by sea.-The Athenians allowed no unmarried men to hold any public office.-The custom of breaking a cake over the bride's head, when she enters her hus band's house, is borrowed from the Greeks, who, as an emblem of future plenty, poured figs and other fruits over the heads of both bride and bridegroom.-The Greeks shaved their heads when they wished to show respect to the memory of a great man.-A fluent speaker will pronounce 7200 words in an hour, 150 in a minute, and two in a moment.

Theatrical Gossip.-The substance of Mr Lamb's bill for the amelioration of the laws regarding dramatic property is as follows:"That the author of any dramatic writing shall have the sole right of representing it. That he shall preserve that right in any such production which shall be printed and published, or his assignees, for 28 years, or, should the author survive that period, for the residue of his natural life. Persons offending against these provisions to pay L.10 for each representation, with costs of suit. An action to be com

A paragraph with this title will in futurc appear regularly among the Varieties,"

menced within twelve months after the offence has been committed."
It is evident that upon the passing of this bill, the dramatic writer
will be able to turn his labours to much better account than has hi-
therto been the case.-The King's Theatre, Drury Lane, and Covent
Garden, continue in statu quo ;-nothing new has taken place at any
of these houses. The affairs of Drury Lane are believed to be in any
thing but a flourishing condition; and it is generally reported that Mr
Price, the present lessee, will retire at the end of the season.-Miss
Kemble's Mrs Beverly continues to attract overflowing audiences to
Covent Garden. When is this young lady to visit the provinces ?
we are anxious to judge her for ourselves, apart from all the ridicu-
lous humbug which has hitherto attended her career.-Elliston, who
has made and spent several fortunes, is now doing well at the Surrey
Theatre.-Kean has been seriously ill, but is now better; had it not
been for him, Drury Lane would have, ere now, been at a very low
pass.-Miss Smithson's benefit in Dublin, a few evenings ago, was
very thinly attended. She is to return immediately to Paris. Mac-
ready and T. P. Cooke, are still there.-At Paris, Victor Hugo's
tragedy, called " Hernani," upon the Shakspearian, not the classical
model, has been rapturously received.-Madame Catalani is at pre-
sent giving concerts at Chalons.-Young took his benefit here on
Wednesday last. The entertainments were, "Cymbeline," " Blue
Devils," and "Catherine and Petruchio." The house was well at-
tended. On Thursday, a benefit was given in behalf of the unem-
ployed poor. To-night, Vaudenhoff appears for the last time this
On Monday, we are to have Miss Fanny Ayton for three
nights. She has not yet appeared in English opera in this city, and,
being a clever actress and a good singer, ought to attract; but who are
the male creatures who are to sing with her? Is Larkins one of
them? The new romantic drama, by the authoress of "Aloyse,"
will be brought out soon after the termination of Miss Ayton's en-
gagement. Miss Jarman is to play the heroine; and there are effec-
tive parts, we believe, for most of the other members of the company.
The scene, we understand, is laid in Russia, and the incidents are
of a novel and picturesque description. There is, we think, every
reason to believe, that, considering the decided success which at-
tended the first dramatic effort of this authoress, her second will be
still superior; and we do not see why she should not ultimately re-
deem the Edinburgh stage from the change of having no original
writers of its own.-The Caledonian Theatre opened on Monday.
The house has been repainted, and looks neat and comfortable. The
acting, however, though the company has been strengthened, ap-
pears, on the whole, mediocre enough; and the dancing indifferent.
But there are one or two good singers, especially a Mr Horncastle,
and a little fellow of the name of Edmunds, who sings "Black-eyed
Susan" better than we ever heard it sung before. The orchestra is
also much improved. First impressions are frequently erroneous,
but we confess ourselves a good deal surprised at the very strong
terms of commendation in which this establishment is spoken of by
a respectable contemporary of Wednesday last, to the evident detri-
ment of the Theatre-Royal. We request the attention of OLD CER-
BERUS to this subject next Saturday.

season.

TO OUR CORRESPONDENTS.

We have received, but have not yet had time to read, the packet from "A. L. M." of Aberdeen.-The same notice must do for the author of "Reminiscences of School-days," till next Saturday.-An article, of which we have not availed ourselves, lies for "Proteus" at the Publishers'." W. T." will observe the poem, a copy of which he sent us, in to-day's Journal;-we are acquainted with the author's name, but are not at liberty to mention it. We cannot give a place to the communication of "Observer," upon anonymous authority.-Our angry friend at Belfast will cool, we hope, by and by.

"Andrew the Packman," by the Ettrick Shepherd, in our next.— The following poems will not suit us:-"Spring,"-"The Desert Isle,"—" Lines addressed to my Heart,"-and Verses by "P. R. S."

Notwithstanding the crowded state of our advertising columns, we are unavoidably obliged to postpone, till next week, the favours of several of our friends.