13 ing, of surveying the whole kingdom, too highly, will appear from the eager ness with which it was imitated in other Countries. In France it was begun by the Directory, and finished under the immediate orders of Buonaparté: in Russia a beginning has been made, by a report for the province of Moscow, executed by one of the reporters originally employed by this board, and in the carrying on of which no expense has been spared. General Washington, in a letter to the president, thus states his opinion of the county reports: "I have read with pleasure and approbation the work you patronize, so much to your own honour, and the utility of the public. Such a general view of the agriculture in the several counties of Great Britain, is extremely interesting, and cannot fail of being very beneficial to the agricultural concerns of your country, and to those of every other wherein they are read, and must entitle you to their warmest thanks for having set such a plan on foot, and for prosecuting it with the zeal and intelligence you do. I am so much pleased with the plan and execution myself, as to pray you to have the goodness to direct your bookseller to continue to forward them to me. When the whole are received, I will promote, as far as in me lies, the reprinting of them here. The accounts given to the British board of agriculture, appear in general to be drawn up in a masterly manner, so as fully to answer the expectations formed in the excellent plan which produced them; affording at the same time a fund of information, useful in political economy, and serviceable in all countries." Mr. Young then specifies some of the beneficial practices in husbandry, which, from being confined to particular districts, or even to the operations of individuals, have been brought into general knowledge and adoption, by means of the printed agricultural reports. As instances of these be mentions warping; fogging certain descriptions of grasslands; sowing winter-tares on bad grasslands, as a sure means of improving them; putting in all sorts of spring corn without any spring-ploughing, upon strong or wet soils; and the use of long fresh dung, in preference to that which is rotten. He adds also the clear illustration which they have given to the advantages of drill husbandry; and points out instances in which even the agriculture of both the East and the West Indies has received vast benefits from the exertions of the board at home. He refutes some ridiculous prejudices conceived against the board on the subjects of tithes, and of its surveys being supposed to be intended for furnishing new sources of taxation; and in the following paragraph, notices particularly one, which might perhaps have been thought to rest on a better foundation: Another source of obloquy, which has pressed heavier perhaps than all the rest, and especially in the minds of the inha bitants of this city, was the notion, that the board was the origin of all the endeavours to bring cattle to market in an uncommon degree of fatness. "I know nothing you have done, but to bring meat to market so fat that nobody can eat it," was an observation of a member of the house of commons. Many pamphlets, and at least forty newspapers, have shewn the same lamentable ignorance. You, gentlemen, well know, that from the first jostitution to the present moment, the board has never offered a single premiuin for, nor given its sanction to, any one measure that had the most distant tendency to such an effect. This pursuit flowed into other channels, absolutely. unconnected with the board; and there you left it, in my humble opinion, with great prudence. In the premiums you have offered, in the practices you have sanctioned (they have extended no further than the two objects of soiling cattle and working oxen), you had no other view than that of increasing the live-stock of the kingdom, and conse quently the quantity of meat in the market, without the sinallest attention to the degree of its fatness. There is not a single measure that was ever adopted by this board, from the original establishment to the present moment, that had not a direct tendency to increase the common and wholesome food of the lower classes of the people, and to ameliorate their condition by every means that human foresight could devise. Mr. Young concludes with observing: Upon the whole, there is no person who will give a serious consideration to the conduct of the board, but must be disposed to admit, that it is an institution which has deserved well of the public. To the farmers of the kingdom, you have made no other return for their unfounded suspicions than that which flows in a constant stream of benefits. You have made known, for the interest of all, the advantageous practices of a few; you have sought with unvarying anxiety the means of their instruction; and thousands are enjoying at this moment the profit derived from practices, the origin of which is to them unknown. landlords of the kingdom must be under The equal obligations to an institution, whose uniform efforts tend to establish the spirit of improvement in every district of the empire. The lovers of science will rejoice to see, that the exertions of the board directly tend to give the same foundation to agricultural knowledge, which so many other efforts of the human mind have long rested upon. That you well know how to draw wise conclusions have given repeated and convincing from the premises you have created, you proofs: no advice offered by yon has been acted upon without decided sucthe inischief coming in full relief to the cess; none has been rejected without eye of the politician: you would have remedied one former scarcity, and you would have absolutely prevented another; should a third affict the kingdom, and insufficient remedies be applied, not a shadow of blame can rest on this institution, which has pointed out those lines of conduct which experience has proved to be effective. REVIEW OF NEW MUSICAL PUBLICATIONS. Twe've Songs, with an Accompaniment for the Piano forte or Harp. Composed and dedicated to the Marquis of Huntly, by John Ross, esq. of Aberdeen. 10s. 6d. THE talent, science, and variety, dis played in this collection, will not fail to attract the attention of the lovers of good vocal composition. The melodies are in general natural and smooth in their con struction; and the accompaniment is calculated to heighten and enforce the effect. The air beginning with "Supremely blest those hours of youth;" "While many a fond and blooming maid;" "O cease with soft soul-melting strain," "Why dost thou weep, O gentle lady?" are impressively pathetic, and evince feeling and taste not generally indulged to the heart and mind. Trois Duos Goncertants pour la Harp et le Pianoforte. Composé et dédié à Lady Mildmay, par I. L. Dussek, esq. 75. This work is to appear in three numbers, the first of which is before us, and contains one complete duo. Mr Dussek withholds none of his vivid imagina. tion and brilliant execution from his Duos Concertants. They appear in each of the movements with a grace and a spirit highly favorable to their proudest powers, In a word, the passages are original, and conceived with vigor; while the union of the two instruments is every where conducted with a skill and cunning, which must conciliate the scientific, aud delight the amateur. Six Italian Arietts, with an Accompaniment før the Piano-forte. Composed and dea cated to the Chevalier la Cainea, by B. Asisli, esq. Composer and Music Director at the Royal Court of Mi an. 73. These arietts are written in a highly distinguished by their delicacy, pathos, or finished style. The ideas are every where spirit, and the accompaniment is rich and appropriate. The introductory recita the modulation of a real master, tions are forcibly impressing, and exhibit "The wild Glen where bideth my Lowe," a Glee, for two Sopranos and a Bass. Composed by John Clarke, Mus. Doc. Cantab. 11s. 6d. is This glee, which is set a ballata, form ing a harmonized ballad of two verses, perfectly simple in its construction, yet possesses much interest, while it evinces a taste in conception, and a judgment in expression, only found in the productions of the real master. The flat ninth at the pily appropriate; and the general sentiwords "the dark turbid waters" is hapment of the poet is well consulted. "Soft as the Silver ray that sleeps," (Count Merano's Song in Udelpho) Composed by Dector John Clarke, of Cambridge. 5s. The melody Dr. Clarke has given to "Count Morano's song," has the merit of being perfectly analogous to the style of the words. The passages flow with a in expression; and the piano-torte accomstill smoothness that bespeaks great favor paniment and symphonies are elegant and judicious. A Selection of the most admired and original Ger. man Waltzes, never before puilshed. Adapt ed for the Harp and Piano forte. Dedicated to the Princess Charlotte of Wales, by Edward Jones, Harp-Master and Eard to the Prince of Wales. 7s. 6d. These waltzes, which are forty-nine in number, are selected with taste. They are, for the most part, short, simple, and pleasing, and will well serve the purpose which we should suppose Mr. Jones chiefly had in view, that of agreeably leading the juvenile finger through the first stages of practice. Morgiana. Arranged as a Rondo for the Pianoforte. 1s 6d. This little rondo is arranged with tolerable address. Its principal recommen dation however, will be the simplicity and ease of its style, which render it an eligible school exercise. Though short, its subject givesfit interest; and the digres sive matter does not lead the ear astray. Number I. of Vive la Dance, a Selection of the most admired Country Dances, arranged as Duetts for two Performers on one Piano-forte. By eminent Authors. 2s. The present duett is arranged by Mr. Blewitt. The two parts lie well for the hands, and combine with good effect. As far as we are enabled to judge by the merits of the sample before us, "Vive la Dance" will form a useful little work for young practitioners on the instrument for which it is intended. Morgiana in Ireland, a favorite Dance, arranged as a Rondo for the Piano-forte, by L. Blewitt. 1s. 6d. The ease and simplicity of this arrangement of " Morgiana in Ireland," will not fail to recommend it to the attention of those piano-forte practitioners who have not passed the earlier stages of execution. The passages are well turned, and every way calculated to improve the finger of the tyro. Tyrolese March and Rondo, for the Piano-forte, This "Tyrolese march" is conceived with spirit, and the rondo is founded on a subject as pleasing as it is original. Simplicity of style and ease of execution appear to have been Mr. Holst's chief objects; and these, it is no compliment to say, he has well attained. The fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh, numbers of the vocal works of Handel, with a separate accompaniment for the organ or piano-forte, have appeared since we last noticed this elegant and useful work, and continue to exhibit the spirit and liberality of the publishers, Messrs. Button and Whitaker, as well as the taste and judgment of the conductor, Dr. John Clarke, of Cambridge. The frontispieces to Alexander's Feast, and the Oratorio of Saul, are remarkably well designed, as well as finely executed: and in an address to the subscribers attached to the seventh number, the proprietors promise a highly-finished engraving with the Messiah, from an exquisite original Ecce Homo, by Carlo Dolci, MONTHLY RETROSPECT OF THE FINE ARTS. The Use of all New Prints, and Communication of Articles of Intelligence, &c. are requested under COVER to the Care of the Publisher. usual stature of females, according to the opinions of the ancients of their deities; her dress is light and elegant, her face beautiful, and her whole form lucid and shining. The figure of Mentor is grand and imposing; his drapery broad and well cast, consisting of few simple folds: the expression of his face precisely that of the poet's description. Telemachus's is that of an ardent youth struck with the graces of the beauteous goddess; his attitude and action bespeaks his meaning, and his doubt of her mortality: "O vous, qui que, vous soyez, mortelle ou déesse."- Ayez pitié de nos malheurs; et si vous savez, ô deesse, ce que les destinées ont fait pour sauver ou pour perdre Ulisse, daignez en instruire son fils Télémaque." The landscape, sea, and other accessories of the picture, are appropriate and well designed, and the whole picture is altogether worthy of the pencil of Westall. The engraving is in a mixt manner of the stroke and dot, and is beautifully executed; the drawing is correct, the faces and extremities delicately stippled, and the foliage, sea, and coarser draperies, forcibly marked with the line; and there is a depth and strength of colour and vigourous effect in this print that is seldom witnessed in so large a one (the size of the Storm in Ilarvest) in this manner. Mr. Scriven, whose abilities in this line of art are fully acknowledged, has seldom exerted his talents with such effect as in the print now before us, and which deserves a place in every collector's portfolio. Six Prints, illustrative of Marmion, a poetical Tule, by Walter Scott, esq. arawn by Rickard Westall, R. A engraved by Charles Heath, and published by John Sharpe, Piccadilly. Our limits this month do not admit of an ample detail of the subjects of this interesting set of prints; they are designed in the usual tasteful manner of Westall; and the engravings in the stroke or line manner by C. Heath, are in the same style of excellence that distinguish his other works. Exhibition of the Works of British Artists, placed in the Gallery of the British Institution for promoting the Fine Arts in the United Kingdom, for Exhibition and Sale, Pall Mall, 1810. This is the fifth exhibition of this useful and patriotic society, and although it may be doubted, whether they have forwarded the fine arts of England or no, it is certain they have contributed to the comforts and pecuniary remuneration of some of the British artists. Grand works have not been produced by the efforts of this society; on the contrary, some of the greatest works of the English school have been returned on the hands of the artists, and they have either declined exhibiting, or have turned their hands to more fashionable, and conse quently more saleable, productions. This is the cause of the prevalence of fancy works and cabinet-sized pictures in this exhibition, and the paucity of historical productions. The fault, however, does not lie with the society so much as with the public or the purchasers; the society endeavour, collectively, to produce historical painters by premiuins; but, individually, they seem more anxious to model the English school of art after the Dutch than the Roman schools; yet, although this exhibition will not place the British school in the highest class of art in the eye of the discriminating cri tic, yet, in the class it does belong to, it ranks very high. As is to be expected, many of the pictures are from the last exhibition of the Royal Academy, and most of the new historical ones are for the premiums offered by the society, who, very properly, have not decided on the best previous to the exhibition; which prejudices the public mind against the unsuccessful pictures, whatever positive merit, when removed from the competition, they may possess. NORTH ROOM, WEST SIDE. No. 1. An Elder Vestal attending the sacred Fire. J. F. Rigaud, R. A. A plain unaffected picture, possessing few faults, and no prominent beauties. 2. Themistocles taking Refuge at the Court of Ad metus. H. Corbould. grand than the familiar: it is not suffici- treated with that fidelity to the story that ently natural. 7. The Pinch of Snuff. M. W. Sharp. A picture of the same class. The subject is a collation, with a lady singing and accompanying herself on the lute; an old man appears in an extacy of delight, while a young man is waggishly of fering a boy a pinch of snuff, who is sneezing, and interrupting the performance. The story is well told; the costume (Spanish) forms richly: it is delicately painted, and highly finished. The architectural back-ground is well executed, but is not characteristic of the country or the scene. An excellent picture, combining truth and simplicity. 49. Henry and Emma. S. Woodforde, R. A. This picture, froin one of the most affecting poems in the English language, is treated with much natural expression; the colouring is good, the chiaroscuro bold and vigorous; and the whole has a strong sunny appearance, but rather too hard and decisive: the tints should. be more broken. 52. The Death of Marmion. J. Pocock. There is a sober serious tone of colour over this picture that is not inappropriate to the subject; but there appears in it want of that study, without which no artist can arrive beyond mediocrity. a makes au historical picture most valuable; the grouping is the worst part of divided; the expression is natural and the picture, the figures being too much affecting; the drawing and costume faithful and elegant; and the architectural back-ground characteristic and well painted. 57. The Citizens of Calais delivexing their Keys to Edward III. W. Hilton. This picture is of a very superior classi and contains many excellencies: the expression of Edward and his queen, are historically true, but the king's attitude is rather too theatrical; the humble postures of the citizens compose well for the grouping, but are unfortunately not true: there is much force and spirit in the handling, and a feeling of true and ge nuine coloring. 61. Paulo and Francesco; from the Inferno of Dante. A. J. Oliver, A. R. A. The drawing and coloring of this picture are not amiss, but the character is common place. 61. Themistocles taking refuge at the Court of Admetus. H Sass. There is much good coloring and cor rect imagination in this picture thrown away upon feeble drawing and incorrect perspective; a little more study and attention, with some alteration that such a revision would suggest, would make this a good picture. (To be continued.) INTELLIGENCE. The Royal Academy will open for the reception of original works of art for the ensuing exhibition, on the 5th and 6th of this month, and the exhibition will commence on the 10th. Many fine pictures are in preparation; and report speaks favorably of this approaching annual display of the talents of the British school. Mr. Fuseli has just completed a course of admirable lectures on the Principles and Practice of Painting, in the Royal attended, and received with that attenAcademy, which have been numerously tion and applause, which must ever accompany the forcible doctrines of this powerful critic. The Water Color Exhibition opens the beginning of May. As does also the annual Exhibition of Works of Art at Edinburgh. PATENTS |