Page images
PDF
EPUB

MISCELLANEA.

THE FINE ARTS IN FRANCE.

ENGRAVINGS FROM PAINTING.

M. Massard has executed an engrav ing of the Hippocrates of M. Girodet, in such a style of excellence, that it ought naturally to inspire him with a desire of re-producing another picture of the same Master. The Funeral of Atala, in which this celebrated painter has united a character of beauty and dignity of expression, which is highly executed, to a wonderful simplicity of action, presents many difficulties which have been surmounted by M. Massard. The present engraving, which has excited great expectations, seems not, however, to have given complete satisfaction to the connoisseurs. Some parts appear somewhat dry, and the head, perhaps, has not reached the entire beauty of the original; but we have no difficulty in asserting, that these defects are SO slight, that they can only be discerned by judges long exercised in the criticism of the art, and that the work, con sidered as a whole, evinces the hand of a superior Master.

ENGRAVINGS FROM SCULPTURE.

The Collection which has been named the Museum of the Little Augustins, was, in the ground-work, a mass of wrecks and monuments of all sorts, collated by a man animated with an ardent zeal for those arts and remainsofantiquity, which were placed in the hands of vandalism and destruction. These remains were classed and augmented by degrees; and M. Lenoir, after the labour and solicitude of twenty years, succeeded at length in submitting to the inspection of the connoisseurs a collection of monuments, extremely important and interesting, and in which may be traced the progress and improvement of draw ing in France, from the earliest stage of the art in that country. This Museum attracted the attention of a great number of strangers and of men curious in such works; for the only object which had been aimed at throughout Europe, before this period, was to collect Greek and Roman antiquities, so that France alone possessed a Museum, composed entirely of national monuments. This Museum, to the great regret of artists and con

noisseurs, has been destroyed, by the dispersion of the specimens of which it was composed, and which have, for the greatest part, been given up to religious establishments.

Many artists have assisted in restoring this collection, by new drawings, thus hoping to perpetuate the impression which they had already produced. The first part of the work made its appearance, under the title of " Recollec tions of the Museum of French Monu ments." The four numbers which have already appeared, perfectly fulfilled this end, and the enterprise, in every respect, proved itself worthy of encou ragement. The views, in general, are well chosen, and the execution displays the great ability of the two Normands, the father and son.

ENGRAVINGS FROM LANDSCAPE.

The poet or painter, who traverses a country ornamented with whatever nature produces marked with the cha racters of greatness or of beauty, teeming with the recollections which associate with places and with monuments, though sometimes covered in the ruins of time or of circumstances, exert themselves equally alike to communicate the impressions which they have themselves received. The means, indeed, which they employ, are different, but the end which they obtain is identically the same. The poet represents in words, and the painter in colours, the places which they describe.

M. de Sennones is at once a poet and a painter. He has visited France, Italy, Spain, and Switzerland, as an artist, and has sketched the most remarkable places in those countries. To these drawings, which he has multiplied by engravings of his own, he has added very interesting descriptions, in which the reader recognizes, at once, genius, instruction, and the ardent glow of impassioned feeling. In order to expedite his engravings, he has chosen aqua fortis, which is best adapted for that purpose. His first plates want, perhaps, freedom of execution, and are deficient in variety of tones; but he soon surmounted this defect; and his last

numbers contain plates which display wonderful vigour of effect, combined with the spirit of application. All proceeding from the hand of a painter, and engraved by himself, this collection, which is published under high patronage, will possess a character of unity which can never be met with, or expected from, collections engraved by different hands. Hence a judgment may be formed of what is to appear, from what has been already published.

ENGRAVINGS FROM ARCHITECTURE.

Modern Rome is a heap of ruins, under which are buried the monuments of different ages. While it was occupied by the French, the government, in order to render itself agreeable to the city on seven hills, and also with a view of promoting the interests of art, ordered trenches to be made, in order to recover such monuments as were found still in existence. It was a species of homage rendered to architecture, which, of all other arts, seemed to be that, on which the Romans were best able to imprint that greatness of character which presided over their destiny.These labours, which have been since continued by the Papal government, have furnished the means of becoming acquainted with the nature and extent of many edifices, of which only the ruins were in existence. Thus, for example, it is clearly proved, from the remains which have been discovered, that the temple of Venus, at Rome, which has been long considered a small edifice, was, in reality, a temple of considerable magnitude, surrounded with an enclosure. M. Caristie, an architect and ancient pensioner in the Roman school, has published the result of a part of these discoveries, in a work composed of seven plates of great dimensions. Three of these plates contain a plan of all the ancient monuments dug up in the space contained between the coliseum and the capitol, and which still exist, either in whole or in part. Three others present sections of these monuments in their present state and their elevation when restored according to the experiments made in digging them up, the indications furnished by medals, &c. This work, which in a manner recovers from its ruins that part of Rome, which was formerly most thickly covered with public edifices, and which

is still the most fertile in ancient ruins, was submitted to the inspection of the Institute of France, previous to its publication. It will, therefore, be eagerly sought after by architects and every person who is fond of those beautiful remains of antiquity, from which we select all our models.

LITHOGRAPHY.

It is well known, that Napoleon was a great admirer of Ossian's poems. He engaged two eminent painters, M. M. Gerard and Girodet, who were rivals in the field of fame, to execute each of them a painting, the subject of which should be chosen from the writings of the Scottish poet. M. Girodet painted the Shades of the French Heroes who were received into the aerial palaces of Ossian. It was the apotheosis of French heroism. This painting, which was executed with vigour, and in which the painter united whatever the graces and the muses could inspire, produced a great sensation. The lovers of the arts crowded to see it at the painter's house, and the effect exceeded every thing imagination could have previously anticipated. Nothing could equal the display of art which appeared in the heads of the sages, warriors, and virgins whose beauty was of the most elevated character. A critical judge of the art has said, that though he saw the painting frequently, he could never forget the impressions which were made upon him, when he was first permitted to view this admirable production. Presented by Napoleon to one of his own family, and afterwards carried to Germany, this painting is lost to the country which produced it. M. Girodet, however, before he delivered up the work, fortunately caused several of his pupils, who are now masters in the art, M. M. Coupin, Delorme, Dejuinne, Chattilon, &c. to make drawings of the principal figures. He permitted M. Aubry Lecomte, who became afterwards his pupil, to lithographise these designs. The collection, which is composed of sixteen plates, and which have appeared in two parts, has met with unexampled success. The copies have been so eagerly bought up, that the artist has reason to congratulate himself upon his enterprise. Lithography has produced as yet nothing so perfect or so interesting in France; and if

there be still any detractors of the lithographic art, this collection alone would suffice to convict them either of ignorance or prejudice.

SWEDISH JOURNALS.

THE journals published in Sweden are very numerous, compared to the population of the country. They would perhaps be still more so, if here as elsewhere the independent journalists had not to maintain a perpetual contest with power, which in that country is always prompt in misinterpreting and arraigning the articles which attack public abuses. The oldest Swedish Gazette is the Post-och-Inrikes Tidning, which has now been nearly a century in existence. It is the Courier of Stockholm, and is chiefly devoted to court news and the revenues of functionaries. It seldom enters into argument on any subject, and the editor consequently is not put to much trouble in compiling his matter. He is perpetual secretary of the Swedish academy, and is properly obliged to take this charge upon himself as the profits of the Gazette constitute the principal revenue of the academy. It has about 2,500 subscribers, which is a very considerable number, when compared to the population of the country. Another Gazette, the Stockholms Posten, established in 1778, by the poet Kellgren, and abandoned since to less able hands, is so indifferent that its existence is scarcely recognized. It is supported, however, by 7 or 800 subscribers. This paper is eclipsed by the Allmana Journalen, or universal Journal, established by counsellor Wallmark in 1809. The liberty of the press, which was a long time prohibited by the kings of Sweden, was enacted this year to render the new government more popular, and it therefore forms an epoch in Swedish history. In literary subjects this Journal, which has about 2000 subscribers, defends the classic taste adopted by the Swedish academy against the numerous partisans of the romantic school. It also publishes from time to time such articles from the liberal papers of France as the Official Gazette passes over in silence. It is thought, notwithstanding, to be a ministerial paper. In the literary department it had a formidable adversary at first in the Polyfem, conducted by Afklaef, but he gave up the struggle at the end of two years. Another Journal the Anmoerkaren, (the

Annotator) was silenced a few months ago by the authority of the government. It was indeed a most violent annotator, and passed in review, all the agents of authority, from the minister to the country guard, and all their proceedings were generally censured in the rudest manner. The minister, who wished to rid himself of so troublesome a censor, availed himself of an imprudent assertion which escaped the editor, and suppressed the Journal. The editor was M. Cederborgh, author of many romances. His Journal was supported by 1500 subscribers, which placed it in the third class of Swedish Journals. The Argus was commenced in 1820 by M. M. Johanson and Scheutz. It possessed considerable repute for some time, in consequence of the variety and extent which it gave to all noted trials; but it owed its chief success to the assistance which it received from Count Schwerin, chief of the moderate opposition in the Diet. But the moment the conductors were left to themselves, they lost their ground, though they had declared it was their intention to place themselves above the liberals and the ultras, above the classics and the romantics. The Swedish Literary Gazette, printed at Upsal, appears only once a week. The Phosphorus, another Literary Journal, has been discontinued, though it was enriched with the poems of Atterbom. The same has happened to the Lyceum, published by Hammarskoeld and Hoyer. The Jduna has been more successful, and deserves the encouragement it has met with. It was at first confined to criticism, the Belles Lettres, and poetry. M. Geyer, professor of history at Upsal, and M. Tegner, professor of Greek at Lund, have enriched it with some poems, abounding in imagination, the greater part of which have been set to music, and are become popular. M. Schroeder, director of the Cabinet of Medals, at the university of Upsal, has also supplied it with a variety of pieces on Swedish antiquity. A periodical work, published under the title of Sveüa, would seem willing to embrace every branch of human knowledge. It contains a great number of interesting memoirs, among which may be cited, a Memoir relative to the Ancient Song of the Northern People with the Musical Shell of the Ancient Swedes; another on Thibet, by Palmblad; fragments of the epic poem of Gustavus Adolphus, by

Franren Memoirs of Feudality and Republicanism, by Geyer; on the Swedish Soil, by Wahlenberg; on the Ancient Voyages of Discovery made by the Scandinavians in North America, by Schroeder; on the Working of the Silver Mines of Sweden, by Schwerin, &c. A new periodical has lately appeared, called the Hermes, of which M. Almguist, secretary to the chancery is principal editor. He is assisted by M. M. Hammerskoeld, Palmblad, and Schwerin, the latter of whom is a very able orator. M. Palmblad chiefly confines himself to oriental literature.

The Argus has been prohibited in consequence of an article entitled, Materials for a History of the System of Indictment established in Sweden; in which the author seeks to prove, that since the year 1810, there exists in the country a species of espionnage. This Gazette is to be replaced by another.

[blocks in formation]

Extract of a Letter from General La Harpe. According to the laws of the Canton of Vaud, all children without exception are obliged to frequent the schools, where they are taught reading, writing, arithmetic, and the catechism. The number of children appears from the catalogue to be 29,000, and those who frequent the schools are 639, out of a population of 160,000. The reformation of the schools has met with considerable difficulty in their origin, but the example of many of the common people has produced a very good effect, particularly since some of the most enlightened among the ecclesiastics, convinced of the advantages of mutual instruction, have joined the friends of that excellent system.

TRIGONOMETRICAL SURVEY OF CASSEL IN GERMANY.

The elector has ordered a trigonometrical lever to be made for next spring, by means of which a grand military and topographical chart will be executed of all the Electoral States. Captains Vigrebe and Ochs, as well as professor Gerling, all able engineers, are now on a circuit, making the previous necessary discoveries relative to the triangulation and elevation of the highest parts of the country, which are Mount Inselberg near Schmalkalden, and Mount Meiss

ner, near Eschwege. Their first line of operation passes through Amoenebourg, Knoell, Hersfeld, Hanau, &c.

PERIODICAL WORKS AT STUttgard.

The following is a list of the periodical works published in that city:-A Journal of the Society of Rural Economy, edited by M. Andre, Secretary of the Society-Hesperus, by the same-The Official Journal of Stuttgard, edited by Doctor Muhlberger-The Govern ment and Political Journal, by Professor Michaelis The Universal Intelligencer of Cotta-The Mercury of Swabia, conducted by Professor Elben- The Journal of Necker, by M. Lade-The Indicator of the Southern GermanyThe Friend of the Poor, by M. Schoullkraft-The Citizen, by M. LangEuropean Political Annals, by M. Murhard-The Morgenblatt, or Morning Journal, which is conducted at present by Madame Theresa Huber-The Litteraturblatt, or Literary Minute Book, which is the production of M. Mullnerand the Kunstblatt, or Journal of Arts, by M. Schorn.

GREEK THEATRE AT ODESSA.

The Philoctetes of Sophocles, translated into Greek verse by M. Picolo, a young Grecian of distinguished merit, has been lately represented at the Greek Theatre of Odessa. The actors, who are all Greeks by birth, have been highly applauded. The audience set no bounds to their enthusiasm, except when it was checked by the tragic powers of the actor who took the part of Philoctetes; and who, like Timotheus, when he

Chose a mournful muse, Soft pity to infuse, frequently melted his audience into tears. The manner of this actor, whose name we have not been able to learn, is represented as highly noble and energetic. At the end of the piece the audience cried out, " May Greece flourish for ever!" 66 May its generous supporters flourish for ever!" Patriotic hymns, suited to the occasion, were afterwards sung in full choir, and were received with unbounded applause.-Prayers are sung at all the Greek churches at Odessa, for the success of the great cause in which the Greek nation is at present engaged.

[blocks in formation]

QUID SIT PULCHRUM, QUID TURPE, QUID UTILE, QUID NON.

[ocr errors]

Illustrations, &c. of Roscoe's Life of Lorenzo de Medici.
(Continued from page 445.)

MR. ROSCOE'S Life of Lorenzo de Medici was translated into French by M. François Thurot, and published about the year 1799. To this translation, M. Thurot prefixed a letter addressed to Jean Bartheme Lecouteulx, in which he charges Mr. Roscoe with too manifest a partiality for his hero. -He admits, that Lorenzo possessed great qualities," but that he was, at the same time, “devoured by an immoderate ambition, which induced him, more than once, to abandon the interests of his country, and openly to violate the precepts of that religion to which he pretended to be so deeply devoted." If Lorenzo de Medici, be the character here described, it is certain, that Mr. Roscoe has sketched his portrait with a very unfaithful hand; but before we admit the charge, we naturally call on M. Thurot for the facts by which it is proved, and the authorities by which these facts are substantiated. No such facts, however, are stated; no such authorities brought forth. We have only M. Thurot's assertion, and we know not why we should prefer the ipse dixit of a translator, whose letter to Citizen Lecouteulx is in itself a proof, that the expanded mind of a republican, with all its aspirations after intellectual and political perfection, cannot always rise above the prejudices, the littlenesses, and the workings of its earthly nature;-we know not, we say, why we should prefer the ipse dixit of such a translator, or of any translator, to that of the original author, who consulted all the Eur. Mag. Vol. 81. May 1822.

authorities, documents, and papers from which the work was compiled, and who, perhaps, devoted years of application and research in comparing these original materials with each other, before he ventured to decide which of different authorities could be most firmly relied upon. With regard to the charge which he brings against Lorenzo, of "violating the precepts of that religion to which he pretended to be so deeply devoted," he refutes it himself.-He says, that of all accredited errors, the most dangerous is that, which teaches the necessity of religion to the people. If religion, then, be unnecessary, it can impose no obligations, and, consequently, its precepts are null and void; they have no virtual existence, and what exists not, cannot be violated. It is absurd, then, to charge Lorenzo with a crime which, according to M. Thurot, no man can commit. If it should be replied, that though the precepts of Lorenzo's religion were not binding, yet as he himself thought them binding, he acted criminally in transgressing them, we reply, that such an argument proves them binding and obligatory in the strictest sense, for every precept is binding which it is criminal to transgress. The writer, therefore, who asserts, that the precepts of Catholicism or Protestantism are not binding, and yet accuses the Catholic and Protestant of crime when they violate these precepts, only publishes his folly and his prejudice at the same moment. With regard to M. Thurot's system of morality, we could prove its absurdity in

4 A

« ՆախորդըՇարունակել »