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a claim to superior excellence; but that is hardly ever the case. Few pictures are known to excite generally powerful feelings. Indeed, I am persuaded that painting has very little power of that kind, compared to music or poetry; and far the greatest part of the pleasure received is only the gratification of taste, and admiration of skill, which, great and enthusiastic as they may be, do not carry us, after all, much beyond the brush and the canvas. Sculpture has not the same difficulties to overcome, and may venture on a literal translation of nature; yet it must not take painting for its auxiliary. A painted statue never was good for anything; although I own I do not understand why it should not.

We had been told, that, to see the pictures of the Marquis of Stafford, it was sufficient to write a few days before, to ask permission. But we received a printed answer, stating, that "it was necessary to be acquainted with the Marquis of Stafford, or recommended by persons that were so. A distinguished artist, Mr T. whose name cannot possibly be unknown, received, as I am informed by himself, the same answer. Mrs D. hearing of our disappointment, has since obtained tickets for us, but they are for the next week, when we shall not be in London. This fine collection of pictures was, I understand, bequeathed to the Marquis, on the express condition of opening it to the public. If, however, the public consists only of those who are acquainted with him or his friends, it certainly narrows the circle very much. Interest, more or less, is also required to see any of the other collections in London, and heavy donations expected at the door. To the charge of illiberality it is answered, that the public is so rude,

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ignorant, and vulgar, that some sort of selection is requisite ; and that, even as it is, it has been found necessary to exclude canes and umbrellas, for fear the pictures should be touched and spoiled; also that pick-pockets might introduce themselves for the sake of the watches and handkerchiefs of the connoisseurs. I think a moveable balustrade might be placed, on shew-days, a few feet from the pictures; and as to pick-pockets, numerous as they might be formerly, I have not met with any yet. The pride of rank and fortune is so circumscribed and checked in this country by the laws and manners; it encounters a certain equality of rights always so near it; and has, comparatively with other countries, so few personal advantages, that whenever it can shew itself it does. In whatever relates to property, it is unrestrained. The public has certainly no right to complain that those who have taken the trouble, and have been at the expense of forming collections, should impose their own terms; but the obligation is certainly less as the terms are harder; vanity and curiosity are mutually gratified; it is a fair exchange, and no obligation.

June 12.-Oxborough, Norfolk.—We arrived here yesterday, 91 miles in a day and a half, counted for 95 miles, the fractions being always in favour of the horses. We had heard a bad character of this part of the country for beauty; but the chalky heaths about Newmarket have been much inclosed of late years in very large fields, and extensive screens of larches and pines, planted for the sake of timber, and protection against the east-winds; and, besides answering these good purposes, they are a great ornament. These easterly winds, which are cold and dry, are very apt to prevail on this coast, and are much dreaded;

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they have done a great deal of harm this spring. The first process of husbandry on a heath, consists in peeling off the surface, which is performed in a very laborious and awkward manner, by men pushing before them, by jerks of the middle part of the body, a very large sort of spade, sliding under the thin turf or heath, which is thrown up in heaps and burnt. It seems as if a machine might do this as well, with infinite saving of labour; but I dare say there is some good reason against it of which I am not aware. The scale of agriculture is such, that I saw five pair of fine horses with five harrows at work in one field. They sow their grain in drills, and weed it by means of a frame into which nine small hoes are inserted, alternately, in two rows, so as to run between nine lines or rows of plants at the same time; this weeding harrow is drawn by one pair of horses;-enormous rollers are used to crush and pulverize the earth. The drought and night frost have done so much harm, that farmers are employed in many places in ploughing up their wheat to sow turnips. Large farm-houses are seen with all their out houses substantial and complete;-very few cottages. I do not know how and where the common labourers live, those in the fields do not appear poor or in rags;-farmers on horseback ride about overlooking their labourers; they look like rich manufacturers, not at all like peasants. Agriculture is evidently not a beggarly trade here. Large flocks of ragged sheep, with long black legs and noses, range about the heath, disputing with innumerable rabbits every blade of grass; the latter are seen popping in and out of their holes in every direction. The Norfolk sheep give the best English wool, next to the South Down; the price 35s.

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NORFOLK ABBEY OF CASTLE ACRE.

for 28 lb. No Merinos here. Rabbits sell at 6d. the carcass, and 1s. to 2s. 6d. the skin. Black-cattle here have no horns; of an accident they have made a species; I do not know whether there is any utility in it, but there certainly is no beauty.

About fifty miles from London, on a rising ground, we observed two barrows about 20 feet high, and near them a deep trench across the plain; these mounds are probably of Danish origin, covering heaps of bones of the slain in battle. June 15.-The Abbey of Castle Acre is the first Gothic ruin we have seen in a country which possesses so many. This is a fine Anglo-Norman edifice; the western front in good preservation, light, and the ornaments admirably finished. I took a sketch of it. The ruins cover a great space; some people were employed in removing part of them;-I hope this profanation will not be carried too far. A few miles farther, we were shewn the remains of a fort, either Roman or Danish, nowise remarkable but by the materials of its walls, formed of a confused mass of flints, in a common bed of mortar or cement, as hard as the flints themselves; the whole is like a perfect rock. The soil seems extremely barren, and hardly fit for cultivation, yet the finest farms are seen everywhere, and the inhabitants look quite affluent. Land rents from 15s. to 40s. an acre, and sells at thirty years purchase; in some cases land has sold at forty, fifty, or even eighty years purchase; but the latter price was in consequence of game, or some other peculiar advantage. An intelligent capitalist of London, Mr A. has purchased a great tract of land hereabouts at a very low price, in pursuit of some great scheme of improvement. The stocks give uneasiness; foreign commerce is still more