who still hope to find the solid nucleus of the earth. It begins to be embraced by the geologists of the continent, in preference to the systems which they had before adopted." ITALY. In the month of October last, a fresh search was made for antiquities in the ruins of the ancient Pompeii, by order of their Neapolitan majesties. On this occasion, the CHEVALIER ARDITI, SUperintendant of the Royal Museum, presented several pieces of ancient pitch, a vessel full of wheat, a piece of coral, several beautiful paintings, and a lamp of baked earth in the form of a leaf, and bearing a Latin inscription. This lamp was covered with a very fine varnish, or vitrification, which gave it a silvery or pearly appearance. It seems therefore that those authors are mistaken, who assert that this vitrification was not invented till the fifteenth century, by a Florentine sculptor. Their majesties having expressed a desire to have some of the ruins dug up under their own inspection, the workmen had the good fortune to find several pieces of money of various denominations; a number of bronzes, among which was a very fine vase, and an urn for wine; some articles formed of bones; a great quantity of glasses, of various shapes and sizes; and in particular, several vases improperly denominated Etruscan, with Latin in scriptions. They also discovered various works in marble, some comic masks, a few small but elegant altars, adorned with basso relievos and weights, marked on the upper side with cyphers. Hitherto only a single subterraneous habitation, erroneously called a cantino, but which ought rather to have been named cryptoportico, had been found at Pompeii. In the recent excavations, another, consisting of several stories, was discovered. It is remarkable, for having in one corner, a pipe or tube of stucco, intended for the conveyance of smoke. This discovery seems to set at rest a question long agitated by the learned, whether the ancients were acquainted with the use of vents or chimnies for carrying off smoke. In the same apartments were found several pieces of marble and alabaster, valuable on account of the basso-relievos and inscriptions with which they are adorned. Their majesties then pro ceeded to a triclinium, or dining-apartment, recently discovered. The walls are covered with paintings in the best taste, representing fishes, birds, and game of all kinds. Here are three couches of masonry, in perfect preservation, upon which the ancients reclined during their meals; and near them is still to be seen a marble foot, which must have served to support the table. RUSSIA. The celebrated traveller, M. HENDEN STROM, has paid a second visit to the countries discovered to the horth of Siberia, which are denominated in the best maps, the country of Listickof, or Sannikof. He has found them to be only an island; but farther to the north, this traveller discovered a country watered by considerable streams, which he thought formed part of the continent. He examined the coasts to the extent of one hundred and seventy wersts, and found them covered with great trees petrified, and lying in heaps one upon another. The hills are formed of scarcely any thing but slates, petrified wood, and coal. This country he has named New Siberia. In his researches there, M. Hendenstrom has found the claws of a gigantic bird, which seems to have belonged to a species at present unknown. These claws are described as being each a yard in length. The Yakuts have assured him, that in their hunting excur. sions, they have frequently met with skeletons, and even feathers, of the bird, This discovery cannot fail of proving in teresting to naturalists, since it strength. ens the probability that, together with the Mammoths, Mastodontes, and other gigantic quadrupeds, now extinct, there existed both in the animal and vegetable kingdom, species of corresponding dimensions, and in all probability a world quite different from our own. M. KARAMSIN, historiographer to the emperor, is diligently employed upon a History of the Russian Empire. He has already brought it down to the time of Dritrji Donskoi; but does not intend to give the result of his labours to the public, till he has arrived at the epoch of the elevation of the Czar Michali Fedorowitsch to the throne. It is said that M. Karamsin has received con siderable assistance from the Wolhynian Annals, discovered by him, together with the ecclesiastical ordinances of John, metropolitan of Kiow, cotempo rary with Nestor, and the code of Swatoslaw Olgowitsch, who Prince lived in the 12th century; as also from the Russian Chronicles of the fourteenth century century, transmitted to him from Moldavia. Count SANTI, the Russian envoy at the court of Stockholm, has just published á Statistical and Topographical Tableau of the Grand Duchy of Finland. This work displays the industry and knowledge of the author, as much as his translation in French verse of the mas ter-pieces of the Swedish poet KELGREN, announces his talents and refined taste. GREECE. M. FAUVEL, a correspondent of the French National Institute, and resident at Athens, has addressed a letter from that place to M. MONGEZ, from which the following is an extract: "I have already informed you of a discovery that has been made here, on the subject of the ancient Athenian festival called Hy drophoria, concerning which our knowledge before was very imperfect. This was a ceremony In memory of Deucalion's flood, and its celebration consisted partly in casting vessels into wells and streams of water. On the 10th of July, 1808, M. Roque, a French merchant residing here, having employed some workmen to clean out his well, which is situated near the entrance of the agora (the market,) they found several remains of anti quity, which have served to throw a light on this point. The first objects of their discovery were a quantity of common earthenware vases, unvarnished, of different forms and sizes. Fifteen feet below these, were about twenty Athenian medals of bronze, representing incidents in the story of Theseus, and bearing the legend AOHNAION. There was also a handsome marble figure of a philosopher, with scrolls bound together lying at his feet: this piece was only eight inches in length, and of capital workmanship; but the head was wanting. With these were several articles of figured bone, bodkins, syringe pipes, spatulas, ear-pickers, and dice; the last much resembling those used at present: all these articles had become of an emerald colour, through the operation of the water, which appeared of a vitriolic quality. There were, besides, artificial pine apples and peach stones, very little injured by time. The well in question is of the depth of a hundred feet: at the bottom were found some thin leaves of lead, which I unfolded, but they bore no marks of having been used for writing on. On some of the vases are written the following names, with a pen and ink: ΧΑΜΟΦΟΙΤΟΥ, and CN MΙΤΡΟΔΡΑΝΑ : and on a piece of lead, with a hole in it for the purpose of putting a string through, is written EICIA@POT. One of the vases is still covered with bitumen, and was certainly used for keeping wine: it has no handles, and is pointed at the bottom, and twenty inches high. Another has two husdles fastened on at its neck, which is only a third part narrower than the lower part: the bottom is flat, and the vase itself is two feet high." MEXICO. Few parts of North America have been the subjects of mineralogical research in so great a degree as this country. The mines with which it abounds, have been explored by the Spaniards with much care: the government has encouraged scientific chemists to analyse the ores, and has established a seminary of mine Tables of M. KARSTEN, superintendant ralogy at Mexico. The Mineralogical of mines to the king of Prussia, bare been translated into Spanish by don ANDROS MANUEL DEL RIO, and printed at Mexico, with an addition of peculiar value, adapting them to the state of the science in that country. The first four columns of the tables contain the classes, orders, genera, and species, of the minerals; and the sixth, the ingredients of which they are composed, according to column, don Andros has given a capital the latest investigations. In the 6fth example of mineralogical topography, by indicating the particula: places in the district of Mex co, in which the minerals described by European writers have been discovered; leaving blank those articles which have not come within his observation, to give an opportu nity to students and others of supplying these deficiencies. By these means we may venture to hope that in the course of a few years we shall possess a knowledge not only of all the minerals of Mexico, but likewise of the spots in which they are found. Don Andros has besides given, in his edition of these tables, many original particulars con cerning the four classes of earths, stones, salts, and metals: he has also added to the value of his work, which is printed in small folio, by an account of the fossils that have been lately described by M. HAUY in his Mineralogy; and has made use of information which he has derived from M. HUMBOLDT, the celebrated traveller. lished at Mexico, the second part of DON ANDROS DEL RIO has also pubthe Elements of Oryctology, arranged according to the system of M. WERNER. This work, which was composed expressly for the use of the royal school of minera logy, is embellished with three geological engravings, designed from the opinions of Humboldt on the structure of the earth. Switzerland. MONTHLY RETROSPECT OF THE FINE ARTS. The Use of all New Prints, Communication of Articles of Intelligence, &c. ure requested under COVER to the Care of the Publisher. fight." cal pictures, 36 fancy subjects, 220 portraits, (exclusive of about 210 miniatures,) 50 landscapes, 20 subjects of still life and flowers, 140 architectural drawings and designs, 50 pieces of sculpture, of which 34 are busts. The following members of the academy are among the exhibitors: ACADEMICIANS. Beechey, sir William And Cowper, in the following energetic Marchant, Nathaniel Nollekens, Joseph .... Thomson, Henry Bigg, W. R.......... ... exhibits .7 .8 .5 .2 3 2 ASSOCIATES, Bone, exhibits Fittler, James 3 7 1 5 3 2 .8 5 2 8 Making 39 exhibitors, members of the academy, out of 459, the whole number exhibiting, and forming 149 articles, furnished by the Royal Academy, out of the whole number, 905, exhibited. This exhibition does not, from the paucity of historical pictures and other works of that class of art which requires an exertion of the mental powers, rank so high as some of preceding years, yet though it fails comparatively with past years, it has positively a considerable claim to a high degree of praise. The encouragement (as far as employment may be so called,) that is now afforded to the artists of the British school, is flattering to their talents, and proves that a taste for the fine arts is very generally diffusing itself through the nation; which, if rightly directed, will prove of high advantage to British art, and stamp its character high in the temple of taste: but if suffered to run riot after effect and manner, may probably sink it below the level of the Dutch and Flemish schools of fac-similists and face-painters. The historical works demand the first at tention; and the first which strikes attention, and which, from its immensity of size, cannot be easily passed over, is 3. Hercules, to deliver Theseus, assails and wounds Pluto. H. Fuseli, R. A. This picture is composed in the usual nervous style of Fuseli, which seems founded on an aggravation of the style of Michelangiolo. The drawing is vigorous and extravagant: Hercules is well poised, muscular, and boldly foreshortened; Pluto is terrific; Proserpine too livid in color, and graceless in form: Night is admirably imagined, and Cerberus characteristic. The colouring may be suited to the scene; but the flesh cannot, by any licence of language, be called carnation, neither is it naturally fleshy. Andromache imploring Ulysses to spare the Life of her Son. G. Dawe, A.R.A. This is among the best historical pic tures of the year: Andromache is kneel. ing at the feet of Ulysses, grasping his robe energetically with her right hand, while her left arm encircles her beloved Astyanax, whom a soldier is rudely snatching from her protection: Ulysses sternly wraps himself in his robe with a denying aspect. The scene is at the tomb of Hector; and the ruins of Troy are smoking in the distance: the unities are well preserved, the action is well told, and no needless accessories for the sake of what is termed grouping, disturb the simplicity of the story. The drawing is excellent, the expression of Ulysses and Andromache well imagined, and the finished. whole of the picture carefully and well 51. Calypso, after the Departure of Ulysses. Telemachus, Book I. S. Woodforde, R. A This has somewhat of the affectation of sunny effect, and faces in demi-tint, that marked Mr. Woodford's pictures of last year. Calypso is gracefully imagined; and the picture is, on the whole, an excel lent one. 92 Christ teacheth to be humble. B. West, R.A. This is a variation of the president's picture in the chapel of the Foundling Hospital, with fewer accessories. Mr. West's well-deserved fame does not rest on this picture, which, notwithstanding its rapidity of execution (report says 15 days) does not appear at all slight or sketchy. It is firmly, though thinly, painted: Christ is dignified and mild; the carnations of the child, and female by its side, are bland and natural. The sweetness of the chiaroscuro, diffused over the picture by local colours and shades, is one of its greatest merits; and renders it as delightful to the eye as it is satisfactory to the mind. 114. Titania, Puck, &c. H. Thomson, R. A. Titania is asleep on a bank; her starry crown and sceptre, tipt with a butterfly, form a rich accessorial and characteristic fore-ground. Puck is waggishly retiring. This is a fancy piece of that merit which deserves to be reckoned among the stock works of the British school. 142. The Death of the Earl of Argyle. J. Northcote, R. L. This truly historical picture deserves the most serious attention from every admirer of the grand and sublime in history. Argyle (according to the anecdote related in Mr. Fox's history of the early part of the reign of James the Second, page 218,) is calmly enjoying a sweet sweet and tranquil slumber; a member of the council who condemned him, is regarding him with the strongest marks of borror and compunction at seeing this extraordinary sight only two short hours previous to his execution: the goaler is pointing with the key of the prison to his sleeping prisoner. It is difficult to Bay which is hest treated in this fine picture; the horror, remorse, and conscience-stricken countenance of the counsellor, the calm and truly tranquil appearance of Argyle, or the penetrating countenance of the goaler. It could not be treated better; neither are the smaller minutiæ less observed; the painting of the costume is as fine a piece of pictorial deception as canvas can boast. Among the portraits most deserving notice, for graceful attitudes and excellent colouring, are-32, Portrait of lord Grenville, by T. Phillips, R. A.; 61. Lord viscount Castlereagh, by T. Lawrence, R. A.; 72. A Lady of Quality, sir W. Beechey, R. A.; 189. Countess Cow. per, W. Owen, R. A; 197. O. Gilchrist, esq. F. S. A., J. Lonsdale; and some others that will be mentioned next month. In landscape: Turner, Calcott, Barker, Pether, Mrs. C. Long (honorary,) are pre-eminent. In fancy subjects: Owen, Thomson, and Howard. In architec. ture: Soane, Gandy, Porden, Gwilt, Wilkins. And in sculpture: Flaxman, the hon. Mrs. Damer (honorary,) Rossi, Westmacott, Bubb. (To be continued.) The Water-colour Exhibition, Mr. Westall's ditto, and some others, are deferred for want of room till next month. The Surrey Theatre, (late the Royal Circus,) altered, &c. under the Direction of C. A. Busby, architect. Every public work of architecture deserves either censure or praise, and should be noticed according to its merits, to deter unfit men from corrupting the national taste, and bringing discredit on the nation by their ignorant whims and absurdities. This theatre was originally erected by Mr J. Donaldson, jun. (now deceased) for the purpose of equestrian feats; the place of the pit was therefore a ride, and the boxes kept low. Mr. Busby has substituted a pit which, by running under the boxes, is thereby rendered very spacious. The small height of the boxes must have been a considerable difficulty, but it is well surmounted: the rest of the alterations are-making a capola ceiling springing from arches, supported at their springings by eagles; making a MONTELY MAG. No. 199, new orchestra, and proscenium, and newly decorating the fronts of the boxes: the whole is tastefully designed; and, with the exception of the figures in the proscenium, which are too straggling and negligently grouped, it is rendered the finest sammer theatre in London. INTELLIGENCE. Proposals are just issued for publishing by subscription, a print from the picture of the Blind Fiddler, painted by D. Wilkie, A. R. A. in the collection of sir George Beaumont, to whom it will be dedicated; the size of the print will be 24 inches by 19, to be engraved in the line manner by J. Burnett. The price of the prints, one guinea and a half; proofs, three guineas. Printed proposals, with full particulars, may be had of Messrs. Boydell and Co. 90, Cheapside; Mr. Wilkie, 84, Portlandstreet; Mr. Burnett, 4, Oxendon-street, Haymarket; by whom subscriptions are received. Mr. Burnett is the engraver who engraved the print of the Jew's Harp, after the same painter, which was noticed in the Magazine for January last. Mr. Soane, professor of architecture in the Royal Academy, has announced his intention of publishing (and that it is in the press,) an Explanation of the Causes of the Suspension of his Lectures at the Royal Academy in the last season, with observations on the new law of council for prohibiting their lecturers from animadverting on the works of living British artists; with plates illus trative of some modern buildings. certainly does require some explanation ; and it is happy for the students that the professor has undertaken it, and it is much to be hoped that it will lead to a re-commencement of thein next winter. This British Institution for the Encourage, ment of the Fine Arts.-The directors of this patriotic society met on Thursday, the 17th ult. at their rooms in Palo mall, for the purpose of awarding pre, miums to the successful candidates for the prizes in historical painting. The following is their decision:-To Mr. Haydon, the premium of one hundred goi neas for his historical picture of "The Assassination of Dentatus.” To Mr. Hi • ton, the premium of fifty guineas for his historical picture of "The Surrender of Calais." Critical observations on both these pictures may be found in the Ma. gazine for last month. CHALCOGRAPHIC SOCIETY. The noblemen and gentlemen, with his highness the Duke of Gloucester as president, patrons of the plan for the 3 Q encouragement |