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from his deceit, for the Nemean crown of victory was placed upon the head of Creugas, although dead, and a statue was afterwards erected to his memory. Damoxenus was driven into ignominious exile. The sculptor has seized upon the moment of time, when Damoxenus is preparing to give the blow, and his antagonist, with calm and collected vigour, and not suspecting any foul play, stands ready to receive it.*

The possession of these fine casts we consider of great importance to our improvement in the arts. Who knows but that the inspection of these admirable models may arouse the dormant genius of some American Canova, whose wonderworking chisel may make the marble breathe, and "chain us to the chariot of Triumphal Art ?"

It is indeed too true that the Fine Arts have been hitherto neglected in our land; yet, with the author of the elegant address we have just noticed, we think that we perceive the dawn of a brighter day, and we hope ere long to see the time when our votaries of Sculpture and "her rainbow sister," no longer forced to seek, in foreign climes, an appropriate sphere for the exertion of their talents, shall find, at home, an ample reward for all their genius and all their toil, in the applause of an admiring country.

MR. EDITOR,

To the Editor of the Atlantic Magazine.

Among all the puffs and accounts that have been given in the papers of the Linnæan Celebration, Chatham Theatre, and your Atlantic Magazine, I am somewhat surprised that no notice has hitherto been taken of the portrait of Simon Bolivar, the South American patriot, now exhibiting at the Academy of Arts.

*For the amusement of our classical readers, we insert the original passage, of which we have not attempted to give a literal translation, but merely the general outline.

Ἐοικὸς δὲ καὶ ̓Αργείους οἶδα ἐπὶ Κρεύγα ποιήσαντας Επιδαμνίῳ πύκτῳ· καὶ γὰρ ̓Αργείοι τεθνεῶτι ἔδοσαν τῷ Κρεύγα τῶν Νεμείων τὸν στέφανον, ὅτι ὁ πρὸς αὐτὸν μαχόμενος Δαμόξενος Συρακούσιος παρέβη τὰ ὡμολογημένα σφίσιν ἐς ἀλλήλους. ἐφέξειν μὲν γὰρ ἔμελλεν ἑσπέρα πυκτεύουσιν αὐτοῖς· συνέθεντο δὲ ἐς ἐπήκοον, ἀνὰ μέρος τὸν ἕτερον ὑποσχεῖν αὐτῶν τῷ ἑτέρῳ πληγήν. τοῖς δὲ πυκτεύουσιν οὐκ ἦν πω τηνικαῦτα ἱμας ὀξὺς ἐπὶ τῷ καρπῷ τῆς χειρὸς ἑκατέρος, ἀλλὰ ταῖς μειλίχαις ἔτι ἐπύκτευον, ὑπὸ τὸ κοῖλον δέοντες τῆς χειρὸς, ἵνα οἱ δάκτυλοι σφίσιν ἀπολείπωνται γυμνοί· οἱ δὲ ἐκ βιείας αμῆς μαντες λεπτοὶ τρόπον τινὰ ἀρχαῖον πεπλεγμένοι δὲ ἀλλήλων ἦσαν αἱ μειλίχαι. τότε οὖν μὲν τὴν πληγὴν ἀφῆκεν ἐς τοῦ Δαμοξένου τὴν κεφαλήν· ὁ δὲ ἀνασχεῖν τὴν χεῖρα ὁ Δη μόξενος ἐκέλευσε τὸν Κρούγαν· ἀνασχοντος δὲ, παίει τοῖς δακτύλοις ὀρθοῖς ὑπὸ τὴν πλευράν ὑπὸ δὲ ἀκμῆς τε τῶν ὀνύχων καὶ βίας τῆς πληγῆς τὴν χεῖρα ἐς τὸ ἐντὸς καθεὶς, καὶ ἐπιλαβόμενος τῶν σπλάγχνων ἐς τὸ ἐκτὸς ἕλκων απέρρηξε καὶ ὁ μὲν τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτίκα ὁ Κρεύγας αφίησιν. οἱ δὲ Αργεῖοι τὸν Δαμόξενον, ἅτε τὰ συγκείμενα ὑπερβάντα, καὶ ἀντὶ μιᾶς κεχρημένον πολλαῖς ἐς τὸν ἀντίπαλον ταῖς πληγαῖς ἐξελαύτουσι· τῷ Κρούγα δὲ τὴν νίκην τεθνεῶτι ἔδισαν, καί ἐποιήσαντο εἰκόνα εν "Αργεί.

PAUSAN, ARCAD. LIB. VIII. CAP. XL

As this is the first specimen of South American talent that has been exhibited in our city, I send you a short account of the painting, in order that our citizens may be induced to visit it, and enabled duly to appreciate its beauties when they do so. The picture, which is ornamented by a superb gilt frame, of Parker's best make, hangs on the south walk of the Gallery, between the portraits of Mahomet, and Christopher Columbus ; and the three together form a tasty and classical trio. The general appears in his full regimental dress, consisting of a blue coat of superfine broad cloth, with scarlet facing and cuffs, plentifully studded with gold lace and buttons, and a pair of crimson casimere pantaloons, up the sides of which creep gracefully two olive vines, done also in gold lace; a rich sash of velvet and gold encircles his waist; the badge of the legion of honour decorates his left breast; and a portly pair of epaulettes marks his rank, and completes the contour of his shoulders. The artist has very happily chosen the point of time just after a battle, to represent the hero. From the attitude, and expression of countenance, he seems like Hotspur, fatigued with fight, and smarting from his wounds; and supports himself gracefully on his broad sword in one hand, and a gold-headed cane with tassels in the other. In this position, the line of beauty is admirably preserved; and the dignity of the patriot general is very happily blended with the lassitude of the fatigued warrior. The back ground of the picture is smoke-coloured, which indicates the point of time, and gives great effect and relief to the brilliant colouring of the coat and pantaloons. If it were not for this, we have no doubt several horses might be seen in the picture. But it is on the face that the artist has bestowed his greatest pains; and it is here his consummate skill is most evinced. This is also of a smoke colour, or rather of the colour of smoked beef; and with the large whiskers and mustachios, would impress the beholder with the idea of martial sternness, almost approaching to ferocity, did not the expanded forehead, the arched brow, and the pensive eye, mitigate the severity of its expression, and give it a character of mildness and magnanimity. The dishevelled hair is also in fine keeping, and straying gracefully over the forehead, gives an imaginative character to the tout ensemble of the features. If any fault were to be found, it might be, perhaps, with the mustachio under the nose, which has rather too thick and heavy an appearance, though I cannot entirely agree with a critical old gentlemen in spectacles, whom I overheard observing, that it looked like a mouse, or a large quid of tobacco, balanced on the general's under lip. The hands, which it is well known to artists, are the most difficult parts of a portrait, are managed with great skill; though there is some

doubt whether the painter meant to give the general a pair of dogskin gloves, or whether the olive tawny tint is meant to represent the bloody dust and dirt of the battle, or the general's own natural skin. I am, myself, inclined to the latter opinion. In point of style, the picture is perfectly unique, though the artist combines some of the excellencies of the best painters both ancient and modern. There is, for instance, the grandeur and simplicity of Titian, the boldness and daring strength of Rembrandt, the chasteness and delicacy of Vandyke, the grace of Corregio, and the brilliant colouring and truth to nature of Sir Joshua Reynolds. It is a picture which rivets the attention of the beholder; which, when once seen, will never be forgotten; to which the eye insensibly turns again and again; and on which the mind delights to dwell when absent. It is, in fact, the very beau ideal of a general, a patriot, and a warrior; and while we congratulate the Academy on its possession, we advise the citizens generally to visit the picture, and judge for themselves of the truth of our remarks.

J.

P. S. I also send you, Mr. Editor, an impromptu sonnet, which a poetical friend composed, in a moment of enthusiasm, while gazing at the portrait.

Sonnet' on the Picture of His Excellency Simon Bolivar.

In dogskin gloves, and regimentals blue,
See Simon stand the terror of old Spain;
With long toledo, and gold headed cane,
And gaudy small clothes of a crimson hue.
Though Christopher Columbus on his right,
Seems ready to despatch his broken egg

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At Simon's pate; and Mahomet that great Turk,
Views the fierce looking Christian dog' with fright;
And the pale lady on the opposite peg,

Seems half inclined his company to shirk;

Yet the firm chieftain never moves a leg,

But panoplied with broad sword, cane and dirk,
Appears to say, as plain as canvass can,

I am a hero--and a handsome man.

Note. Since writing the above I have been informed that the picture has been removed into the Director's room of the Academy, and its place supplied by the 'portrait of a gentleman.'

NOTE BY THE EDITOR.-We have inserted this sonnet with much reluctance; but trust that none of our readers will suppose that any disrespect can be intended to the hero of South America; or confound the original with the picture described by our correspondent.

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Lines written on seeing the device on a seal, of a man guiding a small boat, with his eye fixed on a star, and this motto, Si je te perds, je suis perdu.'

The tempest howls, the waves swell high,
Upwards I cast my anxious eye,
And fix my gaze, amidst the storm,
Upon thy bright and heavenly form.
Angel of mercy! beam to save;
See tossing on the furious wave,
My little bark is sorely prest,
Oh! guide me to some port of rest;
Shine on, and all my fears subdue,
Sije te perds, je suis perdu.

To catch the ray, my aching sight
Shall pierce the gloomy mists of night;
But if, amidst the driving storm,

Dark clouds should hide thy glittering form,
In vain each swelling wave I breast,
Which rushes on with foaming crest;
'Mid the wild breakers' furious roar,
O'erwhelm'd 1 sink to rise no more.
Shine out to meet my troubled view,
Si je te perds, je suis perdu.

Then if I catch the faintest gleam,
Onward I'll rush beneath the beam,
And fast the winged waves shall bear,
My form upon the midnight air,
Nor know my breast one anxious fear,
For I am safe if thou art near.
Lead onward, then, while I pursue,
Si je te perds, je suis perdu.

So may the star of Bethlehem's beam,
With holy lustre mildly gleam,
To guide my soul with sacred light
Amidst the gloom of error's night;
Its cheering ray shall courage give,
Midst seas of doubt my hope shall live;
Tho' dark and guilty fears may storm,
Bright peers above its radiant form;
Tho' seen by all, yet sought by few,
Si je te perds, je suis perdu

Within my heart the needle lies

That upward points me to the skies;
The tides may swell, the breakers roar,
And threaten soon to whelm me o'er;
Their wildest fury I defy-

While on that star I keep my eye,
My trembling bark shall hold her way,
Still guided by its sacred ray,
To whose bright beam is homage due,
Sije te perds, je suis perdu.

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GEOLOGY.-The numerous and enormous detached masses of granite, found in different parts of the world, have for a long time exercised the ingenuity of geologists. M. Chabrier, of Montpelier, has written a book, to prove that these masses came from a planet which fell upon the earth; and, like most geologists, generalizing from a single assumed fact, he infers that the water of the planet fell first upon us and produced the deluge; this was followed by a shower of rocks, and he attempts to show that it is not impossible but that human beings might have come down likewise, and produced the different races of mankind.

Mineralogy.-The Journal d'Agri. du Royaume des Pays-bas, for October, 1823, mentions that an enormous mountain of iron, almost entirely native, has been recently discovered in Washington Co. Missouri!! Our own mineralogists have been very negligent in not announcing this curious fact.

The supposed conversion of charcoal into diamond, by the application of intense heat, as announced by Professor Silliman, has excited much attention. Mr. Van Uxem, of Georgia, has lately examined this pretended diamond, and has satisfactorily ascertained it to be metallic iron.

A new mineral from Saybrook, Con. has lately been discovered by Mr. G. F. Bowen. Mr. B. has published an analysis of this mineral, and called it Sillimanite, in honour of Professor Silliman, of Yale College. We know of none more deserving of the honour than this distinguished Professor, whose labours have contributed so much to the advancement of science in our country; but should this system of nomenclature be continued, mineralogy will present, in the course of a few years, an unintelligible jargon. It is always practicable to give a name to a new substance, expressive of its nature. We have already, in the United States, the Jeffersonite, Maclurite, Cleavelandite, &c., and upon looking over a late English journal, we perceive three new minerals described under the respective names of Hopeite, Childrenite, and Somervillite.

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