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the Balloon. This proves that a loud noise can be heard to advantage in the air. Some labourers were called to their assistance by the noise of the donkey, which, combined with the cries of the old woman, and the voices of the voyagers, had a very sublime effect The huckstress, however, rendered desperate by het perilous situation, threw one arm franticly over Mr. B.'s head, and proceeded to score his face as she would a leg of pork for the spit. By this time a number of persons were endeavouring to assist them} the car often touched the ground, and bounded up again, and the Balloon, still continuing in motion, dragged the party through the horse-pond Mr. S. had observed; and shortly after, passing through a thick brier hedge, Mr. S.'s hat was torn off his head, and Mr. B.'s body thrown out of the car. Fortunately he still kept his hold, and hung dangling between the old woman and donkey, till the Balloon stopped; which it at length did, in consequence of its bumping the car against the back-door of a little hedge alehouse.

"On landing, the adventurers found they had gone no less than ten miles in an hour and forty-three minutes. From this it is clear, that if Balloons could be made to go a little faster, and be directed to any given place, they might in time prove of some use. In the course of their voyage, the Aëronauts caught several flies, very remarkable for the striking resemblance they bear to the common Blue Bottle, as well in size as in colour. They also caught an insect on the varnish of the Balloon, something like a grass. hopper in form, but much smaller; which, on examination, proves to have a sting, and is supposed to be a species of gnat, not generally known. These curious little animals, it is understood, are to be preserved in spirits, and Mr. S. very liberally proposes to exhibit them to the curious, admittance 15. each. The glass was sometimes as high as 71, at others as

low

PICTURE GALLERY.

313

low as 69, which clearly proves that the degrees of heat in the air may vary.

"On landing, Mr. B. washed his face with brandy. Mr. S. generously gave the old woman three-pence for the loss of her apples. She grumbled, but the Aëronauts passed on, and went into the alehouse, where they dried themselves. They then returned to the Mermaid. Mr. B. was in excellent spirits, and quite delighted with the voyage. After supper he sung a song, with great spirit and effect, to the tune of Fools and their money are soon parted'."

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No. IX. SHIPS, Colonies, and Commerce. By Na poleon Buonaparte, R. A.-The artist here appears a complete master in the art of shadowing; but the colours are evanescent, and the whole piece wants keep and substance. The boy in the foreground, amusing himself with inflating soap-bubbles, is aptly conceived, and harmonizes well with the character and spirit of the other figures.

No. X. High in Favour; or, How we Apples swim! By Messrs. Perceval and Co. R.A. and A.S.S. This piece presents a groupe of about a dozen figures, bowing, grinning, and fawning. Their appearance is insignificant; and the object of their attraction is a Princely, dignified Personage, apparently wearing a regal Crown. The Master, for such he seems, receives their adulation with averted eyes, and evident marks of contempt; yet they appear quite happy, as if they had feared to be kicked down stairs, and were rejoicing at their unexpected good fortune in not being actually turned out.

VOL. XV.

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No. XVI. Europa carried off by a Bull; or, The Wanstead Fortune-hunter.-The design of this piece is vicious. The bull wants strength and vigour, and appears only a frolicsome calf. The execution of this piece also is out of character. The bull frisks about Europa, but has not yet actually got her on his back, and her countenance wears an air of indifference ill suited to an interesting situation. There is nothing original in this painting, nothing just, nothing natural.

No. XL. Lady Godiva. By a Mrs.

of

Grosvenor Square, an amateur artist.-The artist has entirely lost sight of character in this portrait also. Lady Godiva is not represented riding through Coventry; it is Eve in Paradise, or a London elegante in the Green Park. We do not know in what school this female artist studied; but we learn that John Torrentius, of Amsterdam, loved to paint nudities, and was very extravagant in his lewd fancy. His friends often reproved him for it to no purpose; but, instead of growing better by their advice, to excuse his wicked inclinations, he fell into a damnable heresy, which he spread about himself, and by which his obscene figures were not only justified, but commended. He was taken up for his horrible tenets, and, denying what was sworn against him, the Magistrates put him to the torture. He died, in the midst of his torments, anno 1640.

THE UNEQUAL MARRIAGE.

[From the Morning Chronicle, September 13.]

AN aged Peer, in the decline of life,

Took a young virgin of fifteen, to wife;
And who to tie this heterogeneous band,
But a right waggish Bishop of the land,

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ACCOUNT OF THE BATTLE OFF BOULOGNE. 315 Who read the marriage-rite secundum artem, 7 Saying, "Whom God hath join'd let no man part 'em;' Then from his lips the well-known passage flew, Forgive them, Lord; they know not what they do."

IMPROMPTU,

ON HEARING IT SAID TO BE IMPOSSIBLE TO BRING THE LATIN WORDS DI DO DUM" INTO VERSE.

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[From the Morning Herald, Sept. 23.].

WHEN Dido's spouse would not to Dido come,

She wept in silence, and was Dido dumb.

TO THE EDITOR OF the morNING CHRONICLE.

SIR,

BE

[Sept. 26.]

EING lately at the town of Stratford-upon-Avon, I went to visit the monument of the immortal Shakspeare, whose bust has been so disfigured by one of his modern commentators; and was much pleased with the following lines, written in pencil on

the stone:

STRANGER! to whom this monument is shown,
Invoke the Poet's curse upon Malone;

Whose meddling zeal his barb'rous taste displays,
And smears his tombstone as he marr'd his Plays.

Sept. 24, 1811.

Yours truly,

F. B.

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FRENCH ACCOUNT OF THE BATTLE OFF BOULOGNE ANTICIPATED.

[From the General Evening Post, Sept. 26.]

TO HIS EXCELLENCY THE MINISTER OF MARINE.

" MONSEIGNEUR,

WITH ITH the liveliest sentiments of congratulation, I have the honour herewith to submit to your Excellency's consideration a report of the splendid

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victory,

316 ACCOUNT OF THE BATTLE OFF BOULOGNE,

victory, achieved by his Imperial Majesty's flotilla flying at anchor in these roadsteads), which, blessed by the animating presence and example of our august Sovereign, has begun an epocha, as glorious as it is encouraging for the French nation and its superb

navy.

"On the morning of Friday, the 20th curt. about ten o'clock A. M. signal was made from Napoleon's Needle, that an enemy's frigate, with the insolent audacity so peculiar to the piratical nation whose flag she bore, had entered the offing, and approached within the reach of our cannon. At this sight, one soul, animated every class. The whole of the Imperial batteries, within gun-shot, instantly opened a most destructive fire, under the high and distinguished command of that great Captain his Highness the Duke of Elchingen, whose profound wisdom and zeal for his Imperial Majesty's service, and the honour of the French name, directed the operations on shore. In the mean while, agreeably to orders I had received from his Excellency the Admiral de Winter, I caused two of our praams, though only half manned, to get under way, and stand to sea, the wind being at S. E. This bold assault, which only the skilful evolutions and enthusiastic valour of Frenchmen could have.carried into effect, struck instantaneous panic into the breast of the enemy, who sought refuge under the cannon of Dover, with which our brave mariners exchanged shots; one of which, M. Pied de Lievre, bearer of the present, will have the honour to lay at your Excellency's feet. Thanks to the shades of night! the enemy once more escaped the thunderbolts of the national vengeance.

"On the ensuing morning, that of the 21st inst. the wind having veered round to the westward, we saw, at break of day, the collected force of the eter nal enemies of Europe, consisting of one ship of the

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