principal merit, seemed to Carstens to be very far beneath the character of real genius. Carstens staid a month at Florence; and here he had a foretaste of the rich banquet which he expected to enjoy at Rome. He became acquainted with the works of the Florentine painters who preceded Michael Angelo and Raphael. It was in the chapel of the Depositi of the church of St. Lawrence, that the genius of Michael Angelo appeared before him in all its pomp. The view of the masterpieces which adorn that building, was well adapted to call forth the powers of his imagination; and accordingly he formed the plan of a rich composition representing the Battle of the Lapitha and the Centaurs. In September 1792, Carstens arrived at Rome; and he conceived himself to contemplate all Rome in the Vatican: considering the rest of the admirable works contained in that city, as merely the rays encircling this glorious centre of light. He found the master-piece of Michael Angelo, in the Sistine chapel, greatly above his expectation in style and force of expression, and even in colouring. The Last Judgment, indeed, seemed to him harsh and unpleasing. With regard to Raphael, his fresco paintings contributed eminently to develope the genius of Carstens, which may be said to have hitherto had no favour. able opportunity for taking an unrestrained flight. The sublinity and rich ness of Michael Angelo drove him to despair; but the grace of Raphael attracted him, and excited his emulation. During the earlier period of his residence at Rome, Carstens visited the Vatican daily, till he had acquired a perfect knowledge of the master-pieces which it contained; and afterward he still devoted some hours of every week to this temple of genius. The study of Ra phael at length determined him to the style which he adopted; and he gradually relinquished the violent attachment which he had formerly entertained for allegorical composition. He could not however conciliate the unreserved good will of his countrymen. It was impossible for him to applaud their method of composition: he perceived in their works nothing of that pure, simple, and majestic taste, which shone in the compositions of Raphael and Michael Angelo, The custom which had been introduced, of putting in motion small figures for the purpose of assisting the imagination in MONTHLY MAG. No. 199. the choice of attitudes, he thought an expedient unworthy of true genius; and by condemning these erroneous prin ciples and practices, he excited a spirit of censure which was vigorously directed against the first work that he executed at Rome, the Visit of the Argonauts to the Centaur Chiron. Carstens had fixed on the spring of 1795 for the exhibition of his works; and accordingly, in the month of April, he invited the public to visit the nume rous assemblage of them in his gallery. Most of them were taken from classical mythology. The judgment of the connoisseurs on this occasion, was very honourable to the artist. As there was no oil-painting among the pieces, he had the advantage of not being liable to be compared with any but Michael Angelo or Raphael; and though he was certainly very far inferior to those celebrated masters, still it was a great point gained to be brought into a comparison with them. Baron Heinitz, on learning the success that Carstens had met with, solicited him to send some of his designs to Berlin. Carstens complied with this invitation, but he, at the same time, signified to the minister that he intended to prolong his stay at Rome. This circumstance excited some warm discussions between the minister and Carstens, who in the result found himself deprived of the allowance which had been granted to him, and left entirely independant of the academy. Henceforth therefore he subsisted on the produce of his works. During 1795 and 1796, Carstens executed several large picces, principally on classical subjects: but these were the last years in which he was able to prosecute his labours with assiduity; for à disorder of the breast, with which he had been long affected, gave him very little respite in 1797. Even in that year however, he produced a number of designs, the most remarkable of which were twenty-four on the expedition of the Argonauts, from Pindar, Orpheus, and Apollonius Rhodius: these latter are mere outlines, which death prevented him from perfecting. In his fatal illness, Carstens painted his picture of Edipus Tyrannus, from Sophocles. This was the last of his works that he was able to finish. During the first months of 1798, he appeared to regain some strength. Не then endeavoured to give his mind some relaxation by reading Hesiod, and formed the plan of a magnificent design repre SN senting senting the Golden Age. The artist chose for his scene an agreeable valley, bounded by small hills covered with forests. A brook crosses this beautiful spot; and the trees on the ascents are of those species which are peculiar to southern climates. The valley enlarges, and at length forins a vast plain; of which the horizon stretches to a great distance, and is ultimately bounded by the sea and a chain of mountains. Trees loaded with fruit, and vines bending under the weight of their clusters, display nature in all her luxuriance and all her riches. Several groups animate this delightful valley, with joy and innocence depicted in their features and their amusements. All the figures are without any other ornaments than those supplied by na ture; and nothing belonging to art is seen in this spot, where wants are wholly unknown. At a time when the mind of Carstens might have been fully occupied by his sufferings, he yet snatched some moments from these latter, to be bestowed on an art to which he had devoted all his thoughts and all his labours. Sitting upright in bed, he endeavoured to sketch, with a trembling hand, the bat. tles described by the bard who has im mortalised Hlium. He prescrved his intellectual faculties unimpaired through his whole illness. The writer of this memoir assisted him in his last moments; and discussed subjects of art with him till his death, which happened on the 25th of May, 1798. On opening his body, the lungs were found to be entirely destroyed. Carstens was buried near the pyramid of Cestius; and M. Fernow pronounced over his tomb a discourse marked by the simplicity and modesty which were conformable to the character of his friend. SCARCE TRACTS, WITH EXTRACTS AND ANALYSES OF SCARCE BOOKS. It is proposed in future to devote a few Pages of the Monthly Magazine to the Insertion of such Scarce Tracts as are of an interesting Nature, with the Use of which we may be favoured by our Correspondents; and under the same Head to introduce also the Analyses of Scarce and Curious Books. Transcript of the Parish Expenditure of Milton-Abbot, for the Year 1588; in the Order, and exactly after the Letter, of the Original." TRichard Coombe, the collectors for HE cownte of George Robyns and the poor people of this parish of Myltone-Abbot, electyd and chosen att the feaste of the Nativitie of St. John the Baptist, Ann. Dom. 1587, untyll the said feaste now, Ann. Dom. 1588; that is to say, for one whole yeare. Itein. They do cownte for vjs. v. receyvyd of Richard Hawkin and Constantyne Maynard, the last collectors, whych dyd remayne to the use of the poor meus box, as doth apere in the end of the collectors cownte, made the last John Doidge, of Newhouse Philip Egabeare Wm. Robyns vjd. Nicholas Collyne Henry Hockadaye Roger Sleman iiij. ij. vj. xvj. xvj. iiij. viij. iiijd. the same poore man to the grave, vjd., ijs. iiijd. iiij. Philip Hockedaye The some of newe receyts this year is arrearages The some of newe receyts, with the this yere, is lvijs. ixd. ob. Expences-Item. In expences this yere. First, payd to Wm. Ketowe for a shroud for a poor man, which dyed within this parishe, which was caryed from tythinge to tythinge, xvjd. Payed to Walter Jackeman for bread and drink for them whych took payens for bringing Some for expences for this releyf this yere is lvs. ijd. ob. And so remayneth to the use of the poor mens box, ijs. vijd. 1588. The cownte of John Tramlet, Walter Crabbe, Thomas Collyne, of Burnshall, John Ware, Richard Scoble, Nicholas Badlam Item. He dothe cownte for xviijs. vd. receyvyd of Nicholas Collyne and Walter Crabbe, the ij general payers. Badlam, John Axworthye, and John 1588, An. Regni Dom. Nostra Elisa Burroughe, the bread-wardens in this bethæ, 30 mo. the sixth day of Octoparishe of Myltone-Abbot, Ann. Dom. ber. 1588, Anno Regis Domini Nostra Elisabethæ 30. mothe xxj daye of Julye. Item. They do cownte for new receyts receyvyd this yere, and first of Edgcombe qur. Receyvyd for bread sold to John Jackeman, of Edgcombe vs. ijd. Receyvyd for a cheyse, gerts, candels and flesh, sold to, Roger Todye, xijd. Receyvyd in gather monye about this qur. xijd. Some of this qur. is vijs. iiijd. Chelyton qur. Receyvyd for bread sold to John Wyse, ijs. viijd. For candels sold to John Egabear, iiijd. In gather moneye about this qur. xvijd. Some of this qur. is vjs. vd. Weeke qur. Receyvyd for bread sold to Wm. Rundle, vijs. For a whyt lofe and a cheise sold to Nicholas Worth, viijd. For gerts sold to Henry Prest, vjd. For candels sold to Walter Cragg, vjd. In gather moneye about this qur. xiijd. Some of this qur. is xs. ixd. Leighe qur. Receyvyd for bread sold to Thomas Ware, viijs. vjd. In gather monye about this qur. xviijd. Some of this qur. is xs. And so the whole some of new receyts this yere altogether, is xxxiiijs. vjd. In expences for making the cownte, ijd. Remayneth to the use of the parishe, xxxiiijs, ijd. 1588. The cownte of Wm. Ketowe, and Walter Collyns, the wardens of the common store in this parishe of Myltone-Abbot, Ann. Dom. 1588, An. Regni. Domini. Nostra Elisabethæ, 30 mo. the first day of September. They do cownte for new receyts receyvyd this yere; first, William Ke. towe dothe counte for bread and ale, made and sold of the ots getheryd in the South-Down or south part of this parishe, with monyes getheryd there also, xxxijs. vd. ob. Walter Collyne doth cownte for bread and ale, made and sold of the ots getheryd benorthe Downe, or the north part of this parishe, with the monye getheryd there also, xljs. xd. And so the whole some all together of the newe receyts, is iij. xiiijs. iijd, ob. Expences for making the cownte, ijd. Remayneth to the use of the parishe, jijl, xiiijs. jd. ob. 1588. The totale accownte of John Sleman, of Longbrooke, hey-warden for the parishe of Myltone-Abbot, Ann. Dom, He doth further cownte for new receyts receyvyd this yere, viz recevvyd for one shepe which came from Nicholas Collyne, and sold to Constantyne Scoble, xxjd. For one shepe which came from Constantyne Robyns, and sold to the same Constantyne Scoble, vs. iiijd. Receyyyd farther for one shepe, which came from Richard Scoble, and sold to John Jackeman of Beckaton, iiijs. ixd. For one shepe which came from Henry Hockedaye, and sold to Philip Hockedaye, ijs. viijd. For ij lambes, the one whereof came from Margaret Sargent, wyddowe, and the other from Thomas Rundle, of Foghanger, and both sold to Thomas Rundle of Youngecot, iijs. jd. ob. For one shepe which came from John Maynard, of Chelyton, and sold to Wm. Gendle, ijs. viijd. Of Richard Sowton the elder, for one shepe which came from Tristram Doidge, iiijs. rjd. For one shepe which came from Maude Tooker, wyddowe, and sold to Richard Tooker, ijs. jd. For one other shepe which came from the same Maude, which was the geifte of John Tooker, her late husband, decessid, towards the churche, and sold likewyse to the same Richard, ijs. jd. For woull sold to Roger Kegill, xxjs. Receyvyd for the grave of Alice Whytbourne, decessid, late the wyfe of Robert Whitbourne, iijs. iijd. Of Philip Egbeare, for the grave of Johan Egbeare, his late wyfe, decessid, ijs. iiijd. Of Richard Haw kyne, for his fyne, ijs. Of Wm. Doidge, of Josapke, for his fine, xijd. Of Wm. Robyns, for an old byble. Receyvd in monye getheryd about the parishe, for to buy bread and wyne for the holy communion, vjs. xd. Receyvyd of them whych do geve monyes to the church for finding of shepe, viz. of Walter Jacke, man and Richard Jackeman, of Pophelip, vid. Of John Jackeman, of Edg. combe, ijd. Of John Hawkyne, iijd. Of John Adams, iiijd. Of Thomas Sleman, iiijd. Of John Tremlet, ijd. Of Walter Crabbe, ijd. Of Wm. Ketowe, ijd. Of John Cornish, ijd. Of John Edgcombe, iiijd. Of Roger Sleman, iiijd. Of Walter Rundle, ijd. Of Thomas Quicke, jd. Of Philip Hame, ijd. Of Wm. Rundle, iijd. Of Joba Palmer the elder, iiijd. Of John Bad Jame, lame, iiijd. Of Richard Hawkyne, ijd. Of John Woodman, ijd. Óf John Burrougbe, ijd. Of John Rowe, of Beare, ijd. Of Michael Vela, jd. Of Margaret Coombe, ijd. Of John Richards, ijd. Of John Cundy, ijd. Of Richard Sowton the elder, ijd. Of Constantyne Maynard, vjd. Of Thomas Nycholls, jd. Of Johan Bourne, vid. Of ijd. Of Walter Woulrydge, ijd. Henry Wix, ijd. Of Alexander Whytbourne, ijd. Of Thomas Coliyne, vjd. Of Richard Snowe, ÿjd. Of John Jackeman, of Oldhouse, ijd. Some of newe receyts this yere, is iïïjl. xiiijs. iiijd. ob. The some of newe receyts, with the xviijs. vd. receyvyd of the payers, is injl. xijs. ixd. ob. Item. In expences this yere: First, paide for bread and wyne for the holye communione this yere, xiiijs. iijd. ob. Paide to one callyd Hobb, at the archdeacons visitation, who had taken certen losts, xijd. Paide for artycles, sijd. For making a bylle iiijd. For layenge it in, ijd. For Peter's farthynges, vjd. For the wardens and sidesmens dynners, xijd. Payde at the bishops visitation for artycles, xxijd. For makeynge a bill, iiijd. For layenge it in, ijd. Paid the somner, iijd. For the warden and sidesmens dyner at this visitation, xijd. For waushinge of the church clothinge this yere, vijd. To John Adams for makeynge of the byll for to gether up the shepe monye by, ijd. Makeynge the cownte, iiijd. Some of the expences this yere, is zxijs. iiijd. ob. And so remayneth to the use of the parishe, iij. ixs. vd. Here follows the names of those that fyned this yere for not doing this office: Richard Rowe, John Ware, Robert Tremlet, Richard Basely, John Jackeman, John Scantle. 1588. The cownte of John Doidge, of Weke, Philip Rundle and Henrye Doidge, three receyvers in this parishe of MyltoneAbbot, in the year of the reign of Elizabeth, 31st. the xxx daye of December. Itein. They do cownte for vj vjs. which did remeane in their hands, as doth appere in the end of their cownte made the last yere. They do cownte for new receyts recyvyd this yere: First, receyvyd of the breadwardens, xxxiiijs. Of the hey-warden, iij?, ixs. vd. Of the war dens of the common store, iijl. xiiijs. jd. Receyvyd again of Ralph Whitbourne, Receyvyd rent for the bowse at Tavistocke, xs. For the lytel chamber of the churche-howse, ijs. Of Rafe Whitbourne, the conducte monye, xjs. vjd. Of Brentor men upon accompte, ijs. Some of newe receyts this yere, is xxxiijl. xjs. ob. Some of newe receyts this year, with the arrearages, is xxxixl. xvijs. ob. Expences.-First: Payd to Walter Crabbe, payer for the parishe of Myltone-Abbot, xxxiijl. xviijs. xjd. ob. For howse-rent and amercements for the howse at Tavistocke, xiijd. For makynge the cownte, xijd. Some of the And so expences, xxxij. js. ob. remayneth in their hands to the use of the parishe, vl. xvjs. 1588. " The cownte of Walter Crabbe, payer for this parishe of Myltone-Abbot, An. Dom. 1588, An. Regni. Dom. Nostræ Elizabethæ, 31 mo. the xxx day of December. Item. He doth cownte for iiijs. vd. which remaynyd in his hand, as doth appere in the end of his cownte inade the last yere. Item. He doth cownte for newe receyts receyvyd this yere, of John Doidge, Philip Rundle, and Henry Doidge, the three receyvers in this parish of Myltone-Abbot, xxxiij. xixs. And so remayneth due to the parish, with the arrearyges, xxxiiijl. iijs. vd. Expences.-First: Payde to Richard Scoble and his men, for three and twentye journeys towards the newe makynge the church style, xvs. Payd to the same Richard, for that he payd for carrydge of moor-stones from Henson to Horsebrydge, iiijs. viijd. To Nicholas Worthe, for three dayes worke towards makynge the same style, ijs. To George Manninge, for three dayes worke about the same style, xjd. To Henry Collyne, one dayes worke about the same style, jd. To John Sleman, the hey-warden, xviijs. vd. To one Jermain for scouringe of |