155 liciously be extended to the modern h; and there are some good of Irish life, Highland loftihaughtiness of sentiment, and religious enthusiasm. Johnes's Dews of Castalie, show oetical fire and animation, but his e artificial not real gems. have the most sincere respect for Grace Godwin's Wanderer's Legacy, nergetic verse, and occasionally fineShe will find great improvement in ying simplicity. is le ch 9 the RTS. I in are their imThere g that ight have been left unhung-we mean hose that are sold before the opening of the exhibition, and those which have been long before the public by engravings. We trust that the Governors will take this into consideration before the opening of another exhibition. The pictures this year are well hung; particularly so; but we regret that the smaller compositions, exhibiting almost every excellence in the arts, should be thrust to the ground, or hung in situations where the eye cannot reach them with satisfaction. Many a gem is thus lost to the public eye, and the artist has to lament the return of his pictures without an offer. Before proceeding to an examination of the best pictures in the tion gallery we shall enumerate those which were noticed in our critique on the Somerset House exhibition: No. 49. A Cottage from nature, H. Warren; No. 83. The Committee of Taste by L. Cossé, was designated in the Academy Catalogue "How sweet it is!" we even like it worse than we did: it is too inkey. No. 194. Witherington's Hop Garden; 269. Richard the First at the battle of Ascalon, by A. Cooper, R.A.; 319. Gallantry of Sir Walter Raleigh, S. Drummond, A.R.A.-better hung than at the Academy. It is a good picture but has many faults; 365. The Drunkard, by G. Clint. This splendid picture, powerfully pourtraying the miseries and distresses resulting from a drinking husband and father, is admirably contrasted by one of equal superiority of execution, called the "Happy Man," to which we particularly invite attention, and which we shall describe in our next number; 514. Mazeppa, T. Woodward; 526. The Nightmare, T. Lane. It is grati fying to find that this picture has met with a purchaser. There are more than these which were in the Academy; but were unnoticed either from want of merit in the picture, or the confined space of our Fine Arts department. Calling the attention of our readers to Landseer's cattle pieces; do not od picir from having our adAcademy See them ✓ of them the Instiread with efixed to tures havitution this e Directors ral works of .t the limited he possibility as we should actions again, s repeated to have dispensed reater novelty, e obliged to be Another class like the present Lance's beautiful fruit compositions; Huggins's Opening of St. Katharine's Docks, which has been cleverly engraved, by Duncan; Novice's Dead Game; Etty's subject from Ovid; Shayer's Historical painting of the trial of Charles I.; Nasmyth's landscapes; and Childes's Greenwich, we for the present take our leave. MR. PINNEY'S GALLERY. At Mr. Piuney's Gallery of ancient and modern Pictures on sale by Commission, 53, Pall-Mall, there are about 180 different paintings. Some of them are of a superior character; others but mediocre, and some of them have names of masters appended to them, who never could have been acquainted with the paintings; and others which at the best are but doubtful. The large painting by young Vandervelde of the Destruction of the Dutch Fleet off Colchester, is a splendid historical picture, which we should like to see in the National Gallery. No. 41 is an Interior with a woman and her cat, attributed to Teniers, but we should doubt its authenticity. We never beheld so rude a head; and for the credit of the sex of Teniers' country should hope there were not many such featured women. No. 24, a large painting placed very high, and in a bad light, is described as "The Niobe, by Wilson." There is a Niobe by Wilson in the National Gallery on a smaller scale, and with a different distribution of the figures, which we have always known and appreciated as a genuine picture of that master; nor did we ever hear of two compositions of his on the same subject, of different sizes, treated in a different manner, and of one of more inferior execu tion. The very bad situation in which Mr. Pinney's Niobe is placed prevented our examining it with that minuteness and attention we should have wished; but as far as we were able to see it, our opinion is that it is not Wilson's, and that no one acquainted with his compositions and landscapes can be deceived by it. There is a nice little bit of Gaspar Poussin's, a landscape and figures; and a charming rustic scene said to be by Domenichino, which is very awkwardly placed. No. 63, portrait of a Spanish nobleman by Vandyck, has a fine expressive face. No. 103, is a spirited allegorical sketch by Rubens, similar to those exhibited at the last exhibition of the British Institution. No. 109, a clever landscape with cattle and figures, the joint effort of Barret and Gilpin ; and No. 117, Hofland's large and splendid view of the lovely and luxuriant country seen from Richmond Hill, which has been engraved. There are one or two by Duterrau; his Basket-maker has too fair and smooth a face for an old man in such a situation in life; but for the wrinkles there is scarce a difference between it and the faces of his Children in the Wood. [Feb. SALE OF PICTURES AT BRUSSELS. During this month, the splendid cabinet of paintings of M. Danoot of Brussels was sold by auction in that city. The sale was numerously attended by amateurs and connoisseurs, among whom were several Englishmen. Many of the paintings brought high prices. A small marine subject, only fourteen inches by twelve, by Claude Lorrain, was sold for 13,500 florins. The celebrated picture by Teniers of Bow-shooting, but generally known among connoisseurs as the Diamond, fetched 10,200 florins. A cabinet picture by Paul Veronese 4,500 florins. Murillo's Beggar Boy 3,500 florins. A beautiful Rembrandt, painted by himself. 9,500 florins. The Rape of the Sabines and its companion, 14,000 florius. The flight into Egypt by the same painter, 8,200 florins. A large landscape by Teniers, 4,000 florins; and a small picture by Wm. Vandervelde 4,000 florins. The total amount of the sale was 136,609 florins. Most of the valuable pictures were obtained by Englishmen, and it was stated in the sale-room, that the beautiful bijou by Claude Lorrain, was purchased on account of Mr. Peel, the Home Secretary.-Literary Gazette. OPENING OF ST. KATHARINE'S DOCK. In our January number, 1826, we gave a very good view of the docks, basins, and warehouses of the new commercial dock proposed to be erected on the site of the precinct of St. Katharine; and in our last vol. part 11. p. 366, were noticed the interesting and imposing ceremony of its opening. Mr. Huggins, whose paintings and publications we have frequently had occasion to commend, has painted a large picture of the gay and brilliant scene which the docks that day presented, for Mr. Halls the Secretary, a gentleman to whom the Merchants of London are deeply indebted for the projection of the undertaking. This painting we have seen, and can speak highly of its merits as a picture, and its fidelity as a representation. The moment chosen is that of the entrance of the fine ship Elizabeth, an East India free trader, crowded with company and profusely decorated with flags, pennons, signals, &c. The streamers floating from the rigging of some of the other vessels in the basin, and the crowds of elegant company parading the quays, complete the effect of the picture. From this painting Mr. Duncan has made a very good engraving, some copies of which are coloured. highly scenic subjects, and in the delineation and engraving of them, we have no wish to alter; for those at present before us are even richer in the picturesque than the earlier ones. When we contemplate the rugged precipices crowned by a solitary fortified tower, or its shivering ruins; the romantic dell with the aged stream washing its pebbly bed of all impurities; the noble castellated mansion smiling at the richness of the surrounding country; the regenerated house haughtily flaunting itself over its crumbling ancestor; the rapid river with its gradually sloping and umbrageous banks; the gay cities with their pride of edifices and promenades, &c. &c. (for all these delightful scenes, and more than these appear in the work before us)-when we contemplate them, what a crowd of pleasing, stirring, and hallowed associations rush upon the mind, and make us feel like denizens of the place. We shall conclude with an enumeration of the plates engraved, and heartily recommend all lovers of the picturesque, and encouragers of the Fine Arts, to become possessed of them: 1. Core-house, the seat of Lord Coreham; 2. Lee-house, the seat of Sir Charles M'Donald Lockhart, Bart.; 3. Craignethan castle and the river Nethan, from the north; 4. Cambusnethan-house, the seat of Robert Lockhart, esq.; 5. Bothwell castle, a splendid scene richly engraved; 6. Glasgow, from beyond the Humane Society-house; 7. View of Govan from the east ; 8. Blythwood-house, the seat of Sir Archibald Campbell, esq. M.P. from the north east; 9. Erskine-house, the seat of Lord Blantyre, from the north-west. Gothic Ornaments. Nos. 3 to 6.-Griffiths, Wellington-street, Strand. The numbers of this work improve as they proceed, as well in execution as in choice of subjects. Being faithful delineations of the details of Gothic architecture, they are highly useful, and are calculated to encourage the study of the numerous minute excellencies which give such interest and effect to the buildings of the Pointed Order. We wish the date of the parts of the edifice whence they are selected had been given, since it is so common a failing among architects to set at defiance the chronology of the art in their blending of details. The ornaments now before us consist of a capital from Lichfield cathedral of very rich foliage; cornices, boss, and spandril from Boston and Tattersall churches, co. Lincoln; capital, and ornaments from a cornice in Westminster Abbey; pinnacle, spandril, and cornice from 157 St. Katharine's church", now destroyed; a capital from a cast in the author's possession, (whence taken not specified, but of a very curious character, having olive brances bearing fruit); an old head and details from Minster, Kent; a richly studded mitre, &c. from St. Alban's; and a part of a cornice at Canterbury cathedral. For the preservation of works published in numbers, Mr. Griffiths has an invention called the "Instant Binder, or Pamphlet Preserver," which we can heartily recommend to general notice. It consists of a portfolio, having a double back, con.aining, as in a sheath, a flat needle, as long as the back itself, with a sufficient quantity of thread wound around its length, to enable any person instantly to bind each sheet of a book in succession, so as to form a volume, This invention, therefore, is eminently calculated to preserve and place in a convenient form of reference correspondence by letter generally, and such tracts and pamphlets as are frequently dispersed in libraries without order or arrangement; also for the reception and instantaneous binding of Music, Newspapers, and numerous daily and other periodical Publications which issue from the press. Ample directions for use accompany the Instant Binders," which are made to any size. A Preparing. public of an exceedingly splendid and improspectus has been long before the portant national undertaking, under the direction of nine of the most eminent enIt is to consist of a series of gravers. extremely highly-finished line engravings from the pictures of the National Gallery, with letter-press descriptions, in French and English. The size to correspond with the "Musée François" and the "Galerie de Forence." Each part will consist of 4 plates, and the first will probably make its appearance during the present season, with "The Adoration of the Shepherds'," by John Burnet, after Rembrandt; "the Village Festival," by Wm. Finden, after Wilkie;" an Italian Seaport," by Edward Goodall, after Claude; and the "Portrait of Govartius," by George T. Doo, after Vandyck. The parts will appear at intervals of about twelve months; and subscriptions are received at the residences of any of the Associated Engravers, who are Burnet, Cooke, Doo, Finden, Goodall, John and Henry le Keux, Pye, and Robinson. We heartily wish success to this spirited undertaking. The public will be happy to hear, and particularly those of our correspondents who were strenuous against the demolition of this edifice, that the works of art, either monumental or religious, which gave interest to the ancient edifice, have been very carefully replaced in similar situations in the new one erected in the Regent's Park. This is gratifying, because it shows a feeling of attachment to the arts of former days; and a desire to comply with the wishes of the public. Oxford. An Analysis of the Second Decade of Livy, chronologically arranged on Two Charts. By FREDERICK RUSSEL, of St. Mary hall, Oxford. Captain Frankland, R. N. a nephew of Lord Colville, announces a Journal of his Travels to Constantinople. Mr. GRATTAN'S new work, Traits of Travel, or Tales of Men and Cities. The Diary and Correspondence of the celebrated Dr. DODDRIDGE, under the superintendance of his great Grandson. The Chelsea Pensioner: A Series of Military Stories, by the Author of the Subaltern. The Author of To-Day in Ireland, is about to publish a new Series of Tales, called Yesterday in Ireland. Mr. Crawford's Embassy to Ava. A new and much improved Edition of Mr. WARD'S History of the Present State of Mexico. The Naval Officer, by a Post Captain. The Carbonaro, a political novel, by a noble Duke. A volume of Travels of the late celebrated John Lewis Burckardt, by authority of the African Association. It consists of his Travels in Arabia, comprehending the Hedjaz, or Holy Land of the Mussulmans, the territory least accessible to Christians. A Practical Treatise on the superior efficacy of the Round Leaf Corvel in cases of Primary or Secondary Debility of the Digestive Organs. By J. H. ROBINSON, M.D. of St. Croix. The Votive Wreath, and other Poems. By WALTER BURGESS. Classical Disquisitions. By the Rev. E. B. MONTAGUE. He is Risen; an Easter offering, inscribed to Christ's Hospital. The Village Patriarch, a Poem. Margaret Coryton, a Novel. By LEIGH CLIFFE, Esq. Author of " Parga." Preparing for Publication. Popular Lectures on Biblical Criticism and Interpretation. By Mr. CARPENTER, author of the Scientia Biblica, &c. Two Histories of Beverley, one under the superintendance of Rev. G. OLIVER, of Grimsby, the other by a Bookseller in that Town. The Traditions of Lancashire. By J. ROBY, M.R.S.L. With twelve plates by Finden, and ten woodcuts by Branston. A History of Russia, from the earliest Period to the Reign of Catherine, is about to be published at Paris. By Count P, de SEGUR, the author of the History of Napoleon's Expedition to Russia. An English translation will appear in London at the same time. A General History of America, from the landing of Columbus to the present time. By Mr. KENDALL. Some remarkable incidents in the life of Alexander, Emperor of Russia, illustrative of his religious character. Translated from the French of H. L. E. Minister of the Gospel. Sketches of Irish Character. By S. C. HALL, Editor of the Juvenile Forget me Not. A Touchstone to the Criminal Law, alphabetically arranged, for the use of Magistrates. By W. ROBINSON, esq. LL.D. barrister at Law, author of the Magistrate's Pocket Book, &c. Sir WALTER SCOTT is deeply engaged in preparing a new edition, in monthly volumes, of the Waverley Novels, embellished by distinguished artists. Each work will be revised by the author, and enriched by notes and a preface, explaining the circumstances attending the composition, and the legends from which it was drawn. Mr. CARNE, author of Letters from the East, has a Tale of the Civil Wars in the press, entitled Strattan hill; and Mr. GRATTAN'S Traits of Travel, or Tales of Men and Cities, is on the eve of publication. My Landlady and her Lodgers, by Mr. GALL; and the Military Memoirs of Four Brothers, written by the Survivor, are announced. The Gardens and Menagerie of the Zoological Society delineated, being descriptions and figures in illustration of the Natural History of the living Animals in the Society's collection. To be published monthly. Series of School and College Greek Classics, with English notes. By Mr. VALPY. The Misfortunes of Elphin, a Romance of the 5th Century. By the author of Headlong Hall, &c. A Treatise on the varieties of Deafness, and Diseases of the Ear, with methods of relieving them. By William WRIGHT, esq. Surgeon Aurist to her late Majesty Queen A Christian Biographical Dictionary. By Charlotte, and to his Grace the Duke of W. JONES. Wellington. 1829.] Literary and Scientific Intelligence. Capt. Sabine lately communicated an interesting paper on the dip of the magnetic needle. The author having taken much pains to obtain a correct determination of the dip in the Regent's Park, in August 1821 (published in the Philosophical Transactions for 1822), repeated his observation in August 1828, at the expiration of seven years from the former determination-an interval which he considered sufficient to establish the rate at which the dip is at present diminishing. In addition to his own apparatus and four different needles, the author obtained from the Colonial Department the use of a smaller apparatus, with a needle on Professor Meyer's plan, the same which was used by Capt. Franklin on his last land expedition. The observations with this apparatus were made by Mr. David Douglas, of the Horticultural Society, and the result was as follows: with the ordinary needle 69° 46.1; with Meyer's needle 69° 47.4; with the needle having an ajustable axis 69° 38.3; with the needle of Mr. Dollond 59° 51.7; with the smaller apparatus 69° 51.4; dip in London, in August 1828, 69o 47 N. From the observations of 1821 and 1828, the author finds a decrease in the dip in London, of 17.5 in seven years, or an annual decrease of 2.5. ANTEDILUVIAN BOTANY. At a recent sitting of the Académie des Sciences, M. Adolphe Brongniart, read a paper on the Nature of Vegetation which covered the Surface of the Earth at the various Epochs of the Formation of its Shell." According to M. Brongniart, vegetable fossils, studied in the order of their creation, indicate the existence of three grand periods; during each of which vegetation has preserved the same essential characters; while its characters are totally different when it passes from one of those periods to another. The first, or most ancient period, comprehends the space of time which elapsed between the earliest deposit of earthy layers of sediment, and the deposit of the formations of coal; which latter may be considered as resulting from the primitive vegetation of the globe. The antiquity of the layers in which the vegetables belonging to this earlier period are found, proves that life began on the earth with the vegetable kingdom. During the whole of that period, only animals destitute of vertebræ existed on the spots of the earth which were uncovered; and it is doubt ful whether there were any fishes in the sea. -After this period we begin to find a new vegetation, quite different from the former, and which continued until the period of the chalk deposits. During that period, it does not appear that there were any maminiferous animals on the earth, which was inhabited by monstrous reptiles, endowed by nature 159 with the power of flying and swimming The third period is that during which have occurred the last deluges of which our earth has been the scene, with the intervals which have allowed the propagation of many kinds of animals now lost, as well as of those still existing. The fossil remains of trees, such as the American fern-tree, to the luxuriance of which warmth and moisture are necessary, belonging to the first of the above-mentioned periods, are of extraordinary size, being above double the height of that of the trees of the same species now growing; from which M. Brongniart infers, that at that period the temperature of the globe was much higher, and the general humidity much greater than at present. The paper contains a great many curious and interesting details, into which we have not space to enter. ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. At one of the late sittings of the Academy of Sciences of Mentz, an account was given of a new experiment, in order to ascertain the presence of cotton in woollen stuffs. An ounce of pure alkali, or caustic, is to be dissolved in half a pound of water, and the suspected stuff is to be boiled in it about a couple of hours. If the stuff is composed wholly of wool, it will be entirely dissolved, and will form a species of soapsuds on the surface of the water, and should run through a fine sieve when poured into it boiling hot. If, on the contrary, the stuff contains cotton, or other vegetable fibres, they will perhaps undergo some alteration; yet they will not entirely dissolve, but remain upon sieve like pieces of rags in paper-mills, for alkali, one of whose properties is to dissolve animal substances, has very little effect on vegetable ones. the MANUSCRIPTS OF LOCKE AND OTHERS. Dr. Forster, of Boreham, is in possession of a parcel of Manuscripts of the celebrated metaphysician John Locke, among which is the original MS. of the " Essay concerning Human Understanding," bearing a very early date, with numerous corrections and erasures. It was addressed and appears to have been submitted by Locke to his friend Mr. Furley, before publication. Some other parcels of the same collection consist of ORIGINAL LETTERS FROM LOCKE, on various political, religious, and miscellaneous subjects; and of original familiar letters of Algernon Sydney, Lord Shaftesbury, and others. There are also some medical letters and prescriptions of Locke, who was himself educated by a physician, and who appears, by his sarcasms, to have known how to appreciate the real and pretended merits of physic at the period in which he lived. Part of Mr. Locke's correspondence is dated from Amsterdam, during his exile, and relates to the strange and unmerited persecution with |