but drawn a double victory from varied, more brilliant, but not more expressive efforts of the pencil.

On the road to Florence, our traveller met the Austrian army on its march to Naples, about to establish another "Capo di Lazzaroni," and in the cant of the day, to add new support to the "altar and the throne." Well may the poor Italian address his country in that affecting language, " Deh! fosse tu men bella, o almen più forte."

The account of his journey is agreeably written, and quite interesting. The falls of Terni had a new, but discordant addition made to their scenery-the bright gleaming of arms was seen joined with the soft colours of the sun, reflected back from the spray of the cascade-a hostile army was arrayed on the heights, and in daily expectation of making its first assault on liberty. The road seems to have been crowded with these minions of despotism, and it is probable, from this circumstance, that a much stronger resistance was expected than unfortunately was afterwards shown. Why it was not, we have never yet been satisfactorily informed. Our author passes the lake Thrasymenus, and of course visits the battle ground. He thus commences his account:"When Hannibal after the battle of Canna, was marching to Rome," &c. Now, this error, if it arose from carelessness, is quite unpardonable; if from ignorance, is still more so, in a traveller who ought to be well acquinted with the history of the country which he is examining. However, let us leave this disagreeable subject. The ground was explored, but it seems without much satisfaction. The pass which "the consul is said to have siezed," could not be found; our author thinks it probable that the road, instead of running along the lake, and being flanked by the hills, which are gentle elevations, ran over them, pursuing some of the little ravines, and then the battle would have been fought at Sanguinetta, a mile or two from the lake. We hope that we may trespass a little longer on the reader's patience, to show the well known accuracy of Livy, and to correct the misapprehensions of the author. The road, after running along the shore some distance, from which the hills immediately ascend, diverges from it, and runs into a champaigne country. With respect to the pass, Livy does not mention it; but if necessary, it may be found in the narrow road between the lake and the eleva tions at its side. The description in Livy's 22d book, we were struck with, at the time we were on this spot-its accuracy serves you as a guide to this very day. "Et jam pervenerant ad loca insidiis nota, ubi maxime montes Cortonenses Thrasymenus subit, via tantum interest perangusta velut ad ipsum de

industria relicto spatio: deindc paulo latior patescit campus, inde colles assurgunt. Ibi castra in aperto locat, ubi ipse cum Afris modo Hispanisque consideret. Baleares cæteramque levem armaturam post montes circumducit: equites ad ipsas fauces saltus, tumulis apte tegentibus, locat; ut ubi intrassent Romani, objecto equitatu, clausa omnia lacu ac montibus essent. Flaminius quum pridie solis occasu ad lacum pervenisset inexplorato, postero die, vix dum satis certa luce angustiis superatis, postquam in patentiorem campum pandi agmen coepit; id tantum hostium quod ex adverso erat aspexit: ab tergo ac super caput decepere insidiæ." The whole narration is admirable. cannot go farther.

We

It is useless to tell what one sees in four days in Florence -impertinent to tell what one may see in that magnificent and delightful city; and unjust to notice the errors which a traveller makes, in giving detailed accounts of that upon which he could only bestow a most hurried glance. Pass we over then the account of the Gallery (referring our readers always to the guide-book, of which this is an extract,) the museum, the Boboli gardens-to a criticism of our author, on architecture, in which we, by no means agree:

"One regrets to find in Florence in the midst of so many remains of wealth, a strong tincture of the taste of barbarians. The palaces have already been mentioned; many of which, in every point of view, present as little architectural beauty, as the gloomy walls of a fortress. The cathedral and several churches, though large, and in many respects fine buildings, are covered with black and white marble, so arranged as to form a thousand square and oblong figures of no meaning and no use. While fine specimens of the ancient style remain, it argues ill of their taste to find them preferring the trifling complications of barbarian edifices. It is indeed gloomy: it seems to indicate that there is a natural bad taste in man; and certainly tends to raise our ideas of the genius that first ascertained the true principles of architecture, and combined in all their purity the elements of the Grecian style. Page 419.

Again, speaking of the Duomo at Perugia, he says ;—

"The cathedral, here called the "Duomo," is a large church, and has some of its windows ornamented with barbarous stained glass; while the Public Palace is furnished with many small and crowded arcades which break the wall. I am aware of the veneration with which such specimens of building are regarded in many of the northern countries of Europe: yet the Gothic style, that unworthy successor-nay, that base supplanter-of the pure taste of Greece, must always be viewed with unmingled disgust, in such situations as are calculated to remind one of its intrusion. Whereever the Romans extended the conquests of their arms, they carried the models of Rome-composed of the simple elements of beauty and magnificence: but the northern hordes swept away all traces of them, to prepare for the whimsical combinations-the phantastic jumble-of clustered columns, pointed arches, and coloured glass, which they called architecturePage 375.

We certainly join him in his administration of Grecian Architecture, as far as our knowledge of it goes. We certainly regard the ruin at Pæstum as the finest and most imposing effort of the architect we ever saw. But we believe no person who has ever seen the gay and florid Duomo at Milan, the grave and impressive Cathedral at Rouen, and the solemn and sublime Minster at York, can doubt whether the Gothic style (by whatever name it is called) does not delight the eye as well as affect the heart, and deserve an elevated stand in the combinations of architectural beauty and effect. We might also remark, if it were not too well known, that it is doubted by many eminent scholars and antiquarians, whether the Goths did bring with them to the south, that style which bears their name. It has been supposed by many, to be oriental in its origin-it is found in the East, in Naples, in Bologna, in Florence, as well as in northern countries-adhuc sub judice lis est. In regard to the Cathedral of Florence, it is enough to say, that Michael Angelo thought it worthy all admiration, and dying wished to be buried within sight of the dome designed by Brunellesco. There is a gloomy grandeur about this noble pile, which in our opinion St. Peter's itself does not possess. The façade of the Pallazzi Pitti, is certainly heavy and somewhat rude. But it struck us always, as according well with the spirit of the age and country. If you are disgusted with its simplicity and want of ornament-pass round and examine the cortile, and you have a beautiful example of the Grecian orders -though in our opinion it loses, as far as grandeur is concerned, by comparison with the front. We shall pursue our author's track no farther.

Of all countries in the world, Italy seems to afford most facility for making an entertaining and piquant book. There is such an infinite variety of character, such varied society, such singular institutions, so many spots which excite the highest moral interest, produce the richest associations, and bring back to life, as it were, the most remarkable personages, to again occupy in our presence the places they once filled, that time and talent alone are wanting in an author, to bring out a most interesting volume. Mad. de Stael has done something in this way-Lady Morgan has done more. The latter had the good sense to imagine her readers acquainted with Nardini and Vasi, and all the piante Topograficke. She alludes briefly to the antiquities, when she notices them directly-and oftener places them even in a stronger light, by an occasional allusion -but she deals largely in historic details--in which there is a good deal of tediousness and much persifflage. In such a volume.

the music of Italy-"il parlar que nell 'anine si sente," would be a fruitful topic. It addresses itself to the heart, and transports one to an ideal world. It has doubtless had a powerful influence on the character of the people-destroying the moral energies, and encouraging an abandonment to indolent and enervating pleasure. We should rejoice to see some one do justice to the abused Italian. Degraded he is-sunk in vice and effeminacy-but in no country can you find nobler materials for a "great and puissant nation." Whenever called on -whenever the path-way was open, the Italian seems to have forgotten that despotism had deprived him of even the spirit of resistance to oppression, and had endeavoured to enchain genius itself. They have then sent forth authors whose works are the common heritage of every people, and legions that have been worthy of "the palmy state of Rome." We trust the day will come, when no Goth, however virtuous, shall lord it over the vale of Arno-or lay his leaden hand upon the oppressed children of Venice and Lombardy.

We must however finish a paper already too long-and if the author should again appear before the public (and we think he might do it creditably to himself, if he would) we humbly suggest to him to be more attentive to his style of writing, which is too often incorrect and vulgar. In one place we have notch, which we suppose is intended to mean a small ravine-again, "presented no obstacles to a convenient traverse"-again, "we came to the Tiberine Island off against which is," &c.--again, "we looked around us with that peculiar thrill we feel, when the blood starts off in highest style," &c. There is also some negligence in stating, that Misenum and Linternum are in the bay of Pozzuoli. Linternum will be found a good many miles to the north. We have strong doubts too whether Civita Vecchia is at the mouth of the Tiber. See P. 296.

LETTER OF PAUL JONES.

[We had intended, in this number, to have pubished the letter of Paul Jones to the American plenipotentiaries at Paris, containing an official account of his descent upon Whitehaven, and of his action with the Drake : with a view of correcting some statements which have lately appeared in English periodicals, in relation to his cruise in the Ranger. The unforeseen length to which some of the articles in this number have run, compels us to postpone the insertion of this letter, as well as of several communications with which we have been favoured. We insert a letter from Paul

Jones to tho countess of Selkirk, which we have no doubt will be found interesting by most of our readers; though perhaps some of them may have seen it before. It is copied from the letter book kept on board his own vessels, the Ranger and Bon Homme Richard, from March 1778, to July 1779.]

Ranger, Brest, 8th May, 1778.

Madam-It cannot be too much lamented, that, in the profession of arms, the officer of fine feeling and of real sensibility should be under the necessity of winking at any action of persons under his command, which his heart cannot approve; but the reflection is doubly severe, when he finds himself obliged, in appearance, to countenance such actions by his authority..

This hard case was mine, when, on the twenty-third of April last, I landed on St. Mary's Isle. Knowing Lord Selkirk's interest with his king, and esteeming, as I do, his private character, I wished to make him the happy instrument of alleviating the horrors of hopeless captivity, when the brave are overpowed, and made prisoners of war.

It was, perhaps, fortunate for you, Madam, that he was from home; for it was my intention to have taken him on board the Ranger, and to have detained him, until, through his means, a general and fair exchange of prisoners, as well in Europe as in America, had been effected.

When I was informed by some men whom I met at landing, that his lordship was absent, I walked back to my boat, determined to leave the island. By the way, however, some officers, who were with me, could not forbear expressing their discontent; observing that, in America, no delicacy was shown by the English, who took away all sorts of moveable property; setting fire, not only to towns, and to the houses of the rich, without distinction, but not even sparing the wretched hamlets, and milch cows of the poor and helpless, at the approach of an inclement winter. That party had been with me, the same morning, at Whitehaven; some complaisance, therefore, was their due. I had but a moment to think how I might gratify them, and at the same time do your ladyship the least injury. I charged the two officers to permit none of the seamen to enter the house, or to hurt any thing about it; to treat you, Madam, with the ut most respect; to accept of the plate which was offered; and to come away without making a search, or demanding any thing else.

I am induced to believe that I was punctually obeyed; since I am informed that the plate which they brought away is far short of the quantity expressed in the inventory which accompanied it. I have gratified my men; and when the plate is sold, I shall become the purchaser, and will gratify my own feelings, by restoring it to you, by such conveyance as you shall please to direct.

Had the earl been on board the Ranger the following evening, he would have seen the awful pomp and dreadful carnage of a sea engagement; both affording ample subject for the pencil, as well as melancholy reflection to the contemplative mind. Humanity starts back from such scenes of horror, and cannot sufficiently] execrate the vile promoters of this detestable war. For they, 'twas they unsheathed the ruthless blade, And heaven shall ask the havock it has made.

The British ship of war, Drake, mounting 20 guns, with more than her full complement of officers and men *** The ships met, and the advantage was disputed with great fortitude on each side, for an hour and four mi