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ature are affected by those profound convulsions, which shake and decompose nations grown old, until a powerful genins appears to tranquillize and invigorate them. We shall follow in the various parts of the art of writing the effects of the universal motion. We shall enquire what influence the eighteenth century had over the period, and what influence the period itself may, in its turn, have upon futurity. We have insinuated, and we shall prove that it deserves a profound examination. In vain do the enemies of all knowledge, proscribing the illustrious memory of a philosophic age, daily announce a shameful decline, which they would effect, if their clamours.could reduce merit to silence; and which would be demonstrated, if they had exclusively the privilege of writing. It will be easy to confound these slanderous assertions, calculated to deceive credulous foreigners. No, Size, so strange a'catastrophe has not happened: France, aggrandized by your

Majesty, is not become barren in talents. We shall collect and lay before you, the present clements of that French litera. ture of which invidious ignorance reviled at every period both the masterpieces and the classics; but which was at all times honomable, and even now, notwithstanding its great losses, continues to be, in every respect, the first literature in Europe.

His Majesty's answer was in substance as follows:

Gentlemen Deputies of the second class of the Institute. If the French tongue is become an universal language, we owe it to the men of genius who have sat, or now sit, amongst you. I attach great value to the success of your la bours; they tend to enlighten my people, and are necessary to the glory of my

crown.

I have heard with satisfaction the report which you have made to me. You may rely upon my protection.

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.

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Magdalen, painted by Domenichino-and engraved by N. Schiavonetti.-Landscape, painted by Gaspar Poussin--and engraved by S. Middiman.-The Good Shepherd, painted by Murillo.- and engraved by J. leath, A.R A. -Bears and Dogs, painted by Snyders-and engraved by J Fittler, A.R.A..

The first picture, chosen by Mr. Forster, is of that celebrity, that praise is needless, and censure might be thought invidious, The engraving by N. Schiavonetti, is of the first order, and will confer upon him an additional wreath of honor. The landscape, by Gaspar Poussin, posses ses a powerful harmony of tone, character of composition, and brilliancy of execution, which Mr. Middiman has happily transmitted to his engraving. The next place, by Heath, from Murillo, is not of that high class of art, that should alone be admitted into a great work like this; Murillo, appears to have attempted something beyond his

powers, and by diving too far into metaphysics, has not rendered himself so intelligible, or so pleasing, as he is in more simple subjects. "The Beggar Boys, or Children at their Sports," of Murillo, possess great merit in their rank, and a subject of this kind would have been the fittest for an example of the master, and a "Good Shepherd," or "Salvator Mundi," of one of the great masters of the Roman school, would have been a preferable example, of this species of painting. Mr. Heath, has, however, done great justice to his subject, and rendered it a beautiful specimen of engraving, although (for the above reasons) not that interesting print that most others in this collection are. The next print is an union of talent that must produce a fine work. Fittler's correct and faithful manner, has vied with the exquisite nature and truth of Snyder's animals, every part is most beautifully touched, and elaborately finished, and proves Mr. Fittler to be eminently qualified for this walk of art, notwithstanding the malignant effusions of a rival, who has declared him unfit for this task.

The choice and manner of execution of this number, is more than a sufficient apology

apology for the length of time it has been in coming out, for such a number as this, once a-year, is worth a dozen monthly numbers of trash. As the lioness, on being reproached by a more prolific animal, for bringing forth but one cub at a time, and that so seldom; replied, "But that is a lion."

Mr. Forster's exertions, in forwarding the arts, deserve every reward; and that of credit, and a correct judgment, this work must infallibly procure hin.

INTELLIGENCE.

The

On Thursday, the 18th ult. Royal Academy of London celebrated the anniversary of her Majesty's birthday, at the Crown and Anchor Tavern. Mr. Flaxman was in the chair, deputed by Mr. West, the President, who was unwell. Several appropriate toasts were drank; among others, "The Froprietors of the British Institution:" and the day was passed with that har mony and conviviality, as might be expected from men whose occupations are the highest in the scale of human intellect, and whose works are the arts of peace.

On Monday, the 8th ult. Mr. Soane, Professor of Architecture in the Royal Academy, commenced his course of lec. tures on Architecture, in the great exhibition room, at Somerset-house, to a crowded and respectable auditory of the members, students, and exhibitors of the Academy; and has continued them with unabated success on the succeeding Monday; Mr. Soane's first lecture was introductory, he began with a powerful appeal to the students on the importance of the art, and the necessity of a close and attentive study of its principles. He detailed the origin of building, in a clear and comprehensive manner, elucidating his remarks with a numerous'display of beautiful and elegant drawings; exhibiting general plans and details of some of the earliest architectural works of the ancient world, and the probable invention of the various modes of building, adopted by different people.

Mr. Soane deserves the highest praise for the zealous and indefatigable industry and liberality with which he has embol

lished his lectures, and for the learning and science he has shewn in their com

position. The students, particularly. the architectural ones, who for eight or Rine years, for more,) have been left without a guide, must be gratified_in receiving instructions from an Architect of such experience, practice, and ability, as the present professor, which stamp with practical credit, his theoretical speculations. The professor took occasion in one part of his lectures, when dilating on the many absurdities of the present times; of Egyptian shop-fronts, miserable and miniature copies of Egyptian monstrosities, whose gigantic style is appropriate to its age, its soil, its uses; to lash severely, but justly, the attempts of many men called surveyors of the present day, being builders, paper hangers, &c. arrogating to themselves the title of architects, and uniting both the designer and executor of one work, which has certainly done more to the corroption of true architectural taste, than any other of the many abuses this art has suffered.

The continuation of Mr. Soane's lec tures, which were not concluded when this article was sent to press, shall be given in our next.

The first number of the new work called the "Fine Arts of the British School," already announced, and detailed in this work, containing specimens of English, Historical, and Portrait Painting, Sculpture and Architecture, will appear the first of February, instant,

Mr. Elmes's Dictionary of the Fine Arts, and their professors, is now in the press, and may be expected in the course of the ensuing spring.

ERRATA. Owing to an error which it would take up too much room to explain, the names of both painter and engraver, of the two pictures of Henry Vill. receiving Bishop. Sherburne; and the interview between Saint Wilfred, the expelled Archbishop of York, and Cedwall, King of the West Saxons, noticed in our last, were omitted. They should have been engraved and published by T. King, ings of BERNARDI, in the Cathedral of that East Street, Chichester, from the original paint

city.

NEW

NEW PATENTS LATELY ENROLLED.

MR. JOHN LEIGH BRADBURY'S, (MEATH.) for a Method of Spinning Cotton, Flax, and Wool.

HE figures annexed to this specifiTcation, shew the fly turning upon the spindle with its arms pointing upwards. The bottom of the spindle rests upon, and turns in a step fixed in a rail, and passes through a collar in the rail which supports the fly resting on the washer. The upper part of the spindle is sinaller in diameter than the bobbin, so as to leave a shoulder for it to rest on. A pulley is fixed on the spindle, and an-. other on the socket of the fly. The fly, turned by the pulley, from the drum, twists the thread as delivered from the rollers of the machine, and by means of the thread turns the bobbin. The draught, or winding up of the thread on the bobbin, arises from the friction of the inside of the bobbin, against the small part in the spindle, and from the bottom of the bobbin, against the shoulder of the spindle, or washer fixed on it. This draught is regulated by the spindle, which is turned by another pulley from another drum, in the same direction as the fly, in a contrary direction, or remains stationary, as the quality of the thread requires.

The principle of this improvement, as distinct from the old mode, consists in inverting the fly, and giving it a separate motion from the spindle. The improvement arises chiefly from these circumstances; first as the fly is the chief agent in twisting the thread, it is the only part kept in rapid motion; consequently there is a great saving of power, since, in the old machine, the spindle and fly turned together at the same speed. Secondly. The bobbin, fly, and spindle, having their distinct and separate motions, the draught, or inclination of the thread to wind up, can be regulated to the utmost exactness, and, when regulated, will remain invariably the same at whatever speed the machine shall turn: whereas, in the old mode, a variation of speed produces a variation of draught, thereby breaking the thread, and causing much waste. Thirdly. On account of the inverted position of the fly, the bobbin can be taken off, and put on with expedition; whilst in the old plan, it was nccessary to stop the spindle, and unscrew the fly from the top, or to take out the spindle. By these improvements, the

patentee avers that the quantity of yarm produced in each spindle, is nearly double to that on the old plan, with the same power, and of any degree of fine

ness.

MR. FREDERICK BARTHOLEMEW FOLSCH, (OXFORD-STREET,) for Improvements on certain Machines, Instruments, and Pens, calculated to promote facility in Writing.

In vol. xxvii. p. 493, of the Monthly Magazine, we have given an account of another patent, obtained by this gentleman, which, though connected with pensand writing, has not the same object as that now before us. The present inven tion consists, first in having a valve acting with a spiral spring, or a screw to affix on the tube of the pen, to supply it occasionally with air to force ink into the socket of the pen. Secondly: in having' a small pipe at the bottom of the tube, to convey the ink into the socket of the pen, through which it is forced by the operation of the valve, at the top of the tube. Thirdly in having a plate on front of the socket of the pen, to contain a supply of ink for the nib, and to prevent the ink flowing too freely into the nib. The pen consists of three parts, joined together by screws, and may be made of any sort of metal. The top partof the pen is called the box: the next is the tube, and the third is the socket: it is made in three divisions, for the pur pose of cleaning the pen, in case it should get foul, and to supply the tube with ink, and to affix any of the different sockets to the tube at pleasure. The box has a bottom soldered in, having a hole in it to admit air to pass into the tube through the top of the box; it contains a spiral spring: a small rod having a plate, or valve at the bottom of it, covered with leather, passes through the hole, at the bottom of the box, but it is not so thick as to fill the hole, and the rod screws into the knot, and confines the spring in the box: the spring pressing upwards against the knob, keeps the valve close to the bottom of the box, to prevent the ink getting out of the top. The tube has a bottom soldered in above the joint, that unites it with the socket: in the bottom is a small pipe for the ink to pass through into the socket. The socket is hollow, and has a hole in front to admit the air, and to adjust the quantity of ink it will

bear

bear. The lower part, or cradle, is made in the shape of a common pen, with a slit up the nib: the cradle has a plate sol dered on the front of it: the lower end of the plate is fitted nearly close to the inner part, or hollow of the nib, but left loose, and in a slanting direction towards the point, and below the top of the slit up the nib, so that in writing, the nib bending, it lets the ink pass freely, but not too copiously, to the point.

Mr. F. claims, as part of his invention, the method of cutting and filing the socket of the pen, hollow in shape like the nib of a pen, and making a small groove at the point, instead of the slit.

MR. JOHN DAVENPORT'S, (BARRLEM,) for a Method of ornamenting all kinds of Glass, in Imitation of Engraving, &c. by Means of which any Designs, how ever elaborate, may be executed in a Style of Elegance hitherto unknown. The method heretofore known for engraving on glass, has been by means of a machine with wheels, of different substances, which have been employed with sand, &c. to grind off some parts of the surface of the glass which is to be en, graved on, and then by means of grindIng and polishing different parts on the rough surface, the different figures are formed according to the designs given. By this invention, instead of grinding or taking off any part of the surface of the glass, the patentee, lays on an additional surface or coating of glass, prepared for the purpose, which when subjected to a proper degree of heat, will incorporate with the glass to be operated upon, so as to produce an effect similar to that which has hitherto been obtained by means of grinding. When it is required to ornament glass, then, previously to the beat being applied, with an etching or engraving tool such parts are to be taken out as will produce the required effect, and that in a much superior way to the effect produced by the usual mode of grinding, polishing, &c. The materials used are to be melted in a crucible, or other pot, and they are to be made up in the same manner, as if used for the making of the best flint glass, broken glass, or as it is usually denominated, cullitt" being the principal ingredient in it. Mr. D. gives several mixtures, of which the first is,-160 parts of cullitt, -10 of pearl ashes,-40 of red lead, -10 of arrence.

The second is-120 parts of cullitt, MONTHLY MAG, No. 195.

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160 of red lead,-60 of sand,-60 of borax.

The third is-70 parts of red lead, —224 of sand,-40 of calcined borax.

When these are subjected to such a heat, as to be thereby completely fused, he takes equal parts of each mixture, and grinds them to an impalpable pow der, for the purpose of being mixed with a menstruum proper for coating the glass.

The menstruum consists of one part of double-refined loaf-sugar, dissolved in two parts of pure water; to which is added, at the time of mixing the powder, about one-third part of common writingink; the effect, we are told, produced by this addition, is similar to that produced by the addition of oxyd of manganese, used in a small quantity by the glassmakers, in making their best flint-glass, because without such an addition the specimens would be of a cloudy or milky appearance. A quantity of this menstruuin is used sufficient to render the ground-mixture of a proper consistence, for laying on with a thin smooth surface. When the coating or mixture is thus prepared, the glass is to be coated by means of a camel's hair brush, or squirrel's foot, &c., it is then to be ex posed to a heat sufficient to produce a semivitrification of the coated surface, and to incorporate it with the substance or body of glass, so coated. But the heat must not be carried higher than this, because in that case, a complete vitri fication would ensue, and the desiredeffect of having a surface in imitation of the rough surface produced by grinding, would not be obtained: the article must, under such circumstances, be recoated, and submitted again to the fire. If after the coating has been applied, any bor ders, cyphers, or other ornaments, are wanted to be executed thereon, then, previously to the heat being applied, with an etching or engraving tool, such parts of the coated surface must be chased out, as will produce the desired effect, after which the requisite degree of heat is to be applied.

This invention is not only applicable to all kinds of useful and ornamental articles of glass-ware, on which the common methods of engraving have been practised, but may be applied to windowglass and plate-glass, of every description, in place of grinding, for the purpose of making window-blinds. It is also said to be peculiarly adapted to produce beau I

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tiful specimens of art, for the windows of altar-pieces, libraries, museums, coach windows, and for the glass used in ornamental buildings of all descriptions. This invention has another advantage over the common method, by the work

wearing much cleaner than the work of ground-glass; the surface of which being. fractured by the action of the wheel, &c. is therefore liable to gather dirt on the rough unpolished parts of the bor ders, &c.

LIST OF NEW PUBLICATIONS IN JANUARY.

As the List of New Publications, contained in the Monthly Magazine, is the ONLY COMPLETE LIST PUBLISHED, and consequently the only one that can be useful to the Public for Purposes of general Reference, it is requested that Authors and Publishers will continue to communicate Notices of their Work, (Post paid,) and they will always be faithfully inserted, FREE of EXPENSE.

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The Works of William Hogarth, elucidated by Descriptions, critical, moral, and historical. By Thomas Clerk, Part I. (to be com pleted in six monthly parts), royal 8vo. 12s.

A Full Length Portrait of the late Right Rev. Beilby Porteus, D.D. bishop of London, engraved by Picart, from a drawing by Edridge. 11. 1s. Proofs 11. 11s. 6d.

ARTS AND SCIENCES.

Elements of Geometry, Geometrical Ana lysis, and Plane Trigonometry, with Notes and Illustration. By John Leslie, Professor of the Mathematics in the University of Edinburgh: 8vo. 12s.

The Edinburgh Encyclopædia, Part II.

ASTRONOMY.

Vol. II,

A System of Astronomy, on the simple' plan of Geography; the principal Constellations being exhibited by separate Maps, with their Boundaries, Chief Stars, &c. A Map of the Heavens, a Disk of the Moon, with Descriptions, &c. By John Greig. 5s.

BIOGRAPHY.

The Narrative of the Rev. Joseph Samuel C. Frey, minister of the gospel to the Jews: including all the Circumstances which led to his Separation from the Missionary Society and his union with the London Society for promoting Christianity among the Jews. 8vo. 7s.

BOTANY.

A Calendar of Flora, composed during the year 1809, at Warrington. By George Crosford, Secretary to the Botanical Society of Warrington.

CHEMISTRY.

Rudiments of Chemical Philosophy. By N. Meredith. 4s.

Rudiments of Chemistry, illustrated by periments. By Samuel Parkes, 5s.

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DRAMA.

The Plays of William Shakspeare, printed from the text of Johnson, Stevens, and Reed; embellished with vignette Engravings, from paintings by Howard, Smirke, Stothard, Thomson, Westall, &c. 12 vols. 8vo. 6). os. royal paper 101. 10s.

EDUCATION.

Little Dramas for young People, on Sub jects taken from English History. By Mrs. Hoole. 12mo. Ss.

The English Tutor or Juvenile Assistant.' By W. C. Oulton. 63.

Il Vero Modo di Piacere in Compagnia -(The Art of Pleasing in Company) Di Carlo Monteggia, with a French Translation. 12mo. 6s.

A Vocabulary, Persian, Arabic, and En-, glish, abridged from Richardson's Dictionary, by David Hopkins, esq. royal 8vo. 11. 165.

Vacation Evenings, or Conversations between a Governess and her Pupils. 10s. 63.

The Lost Child, A Christmas Tale. 3s. L'Histoire des Romains, par demandes et par reponses. Par Mad. Regnault de la Combe. 5s.

The Penman's Repository, containing seventy correct Alphabets. By the late Wm.. Milns, folio. 11. 1s.,

Modern French Conversations, containing Elementary Phrases, and new Easy Dialogues, in French and English. By W. A. Bellen-, ger. 2s.

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