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Caernarvon castle is the finest I have from Omar to the President; with a seen. The guide, who shews it, assured review of the power assumed by rulers us, that it was the finest in Great-Bri- over the laws of God and the lives of men tain. Whether he was qualified to in making war;-and Omar's solitary make the assertion, I doubt, but I have reflections. The whole reported by seen nothing to disprove it. The prin- Philo-Pacificus, author of "A Solemn cipal entrance has the statue of Edward Review, &c.", No. 2 contains, "A Rethe First, high above it. It is said, view of the Arguments of Lord Kaimes that the features were perfect, till very in favour of War." No. 3, " The Horlately; when, on the circumstance being rors of Napoleon's Campaign in Russia;" noticed by an Englishman, one of the this article is formed of extracts from PorWelsh, in hatred to the memory of their ter and Labaume, with some remarks by conqueror, took the pains to climb up the editor: it is followed by an "Estimate and deface them. of human sacrifices in the Russian Campaign." A paper" On estimating the characters of men who have been concerned in sanguinary customs." "A Solemn Appeal to the consciences of professed Christians." And, "A memorable and affecting contrast" between the peaceable conduct of Wm. Penn and the opposite behaviour of some other settlers. In each of these is much that is truly valuable and interesting; and I do hope that some steps may be taken for reprinting and circulating them in this country. In America the "Solemn Review" has gone through three large editions in different states. One in Connecticut, one in New-York, and another in Phitadelphia; the latter amounting to 12,000 copies for gratuitous distribution.

The town of Caernarvon, like that of Conwy, is surrounded by a wall. The inclosed space was not originally intended for its present purpose, but was an area belonging to the castle; and the town is said to have stood half-a-mile higher up the country. When the castle was no longer necessary to keep the Welsh in awe, the town moyed its station, and pitched in the castle-yard.

The church disdained to follow the town, in its peregrination, and remains near the scite of old Caernarvon.

To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine.

SIR,

THE
HE friends of peace in this country
will be happy to hear, that exer-
tions are making in America for the dif-
fusion of pacific principles. On the first
of June, (Saturday last,) I received a
packet from Boston, containing some
pamphlets on the subject, and a letter
from the Rev. W. E. Channing (a copy
of which I herewith transmit to you.)
The pamphlets (five in number,) consist
of "A Solemn Review of the Custom of
War;" a work which has already been
reprinted in this country. Nos. 1, 2,
and 3, of a work published quarterly,
and called "The Friend of Peace."
And No. 34 of a periodical publication,
called, "The
Christian Disciple."
There also accompanied these pamphlets
a printed statement of" The Constitution
of the Massachusetts' Peace Society,"
a written copy of which I also send you.

No. 1, of The Friend of Peace, containing forty-two pages, consists of, "A special interview between the President of the United States and Omar, an officer dismissed for duelling; Six letters

From No. 1, of "The Friend of Peace," I quote the author's own words.

"The writer has devoted six months to careful

and almost incessant inquiries in relation to the dreadful custom; its origin and popularity among Christians; its causes, principles, and means of support; its tremendous havoc and miseries; its opposition to Christianity; its moral influence on nations and individuals; The more he has examined, the more he has and the means by which it may be abolished. been astonished, that a custom so horrible has he has been more and more convinced, that it been so long popular among Christians. For is in its nature perfectly hostile to the principles, the precepts, and the spirit of the Christian may be offered on the subject as will bring rereligion. He is also confident that such light Recting Christians of every sect to this alternative---either to renounce Christianity as a vile imposture, inconsistent with the best interests of mankind; or to renounce the custom of war, as indefensible and anti-christian."

From "the Christian Disciple," I transcribe, "Facts relating to the Massachu setts' Peace Society:"

by four individuals, who are now members of "In consequence of an arrangement made the Massachusetts' Peace Society, a meeting

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of seventeen persons took place in Boston, on effected in public sentiment, and a more happy the 18th of December last, to consult on the state of society introduced. It is evidently subject of forming a Peace Society. It was the design and tendency of the gospel to subdue the wish of the projectors of the plan to form a the lusts and passions from which wars and society on such principles as would embrace fightings originate; and encouragement is given the real friends of peace, without any regard to that a time will come when the nations will differnce of opinion on other subjects, whether learn war no more. We believe that a great religious or political. But it was not known majority of the people in every civilized counhow extensively the sentiments in favor of such try, when free from the delusions of party pasa society had been embraced, and of course sions and prejudices, have such an aversion to but a few persons were requested to attend. public hostilities, that they would rejoice if any At the first meeting, a committee was chosen plan could be devised, which would both secure to form a Constitution, and the meeting was their rights and absolve them from the burdens adjourned to the 28th of the same month, to be and sufferings of war. A late Treaty of Peace held in Chauncey Place, immediately after has suggested the practicability of such a plan, the Thursday lecture; at which time the com- and given us an admirable lesson on the mittee reported a constitution. This was read, subject. discussed, adopted, and subscribed, by a considerable number of persons. The choice of officers was postponed to January 11, 1816, in the hope that the number of subscribers would be increased. The number of subscribers has indeed been increasing, and some of the officers have been chosen, but the list is not completed. We shall therefore defer giving the names of the officers to a future number. But we have the pleasure of stating that, in the list of subscribers may be seen the names of the governor of Massachusetts, the chief justice of the Supreme Court, the president, and several of the professors of Harvard University; twenty ministers of the gospel, and a considerable number of respectable laymen."

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Constitution of the Massachusetts' Peace Society.

In forming a society, which, it is hoped, may have an extensive influence, we, the subscribers, deem it proper to make a concise declaration of our motives and objects.

We have been strongly impressed, by considering the manifold crimes, and tremendous calamities of public war, and the melancholy insensibility which has been induced, by education and habit, in regard to this most barbar'ous, destructive, and unchristian, custom. Our earnest wish is, that men may be brought to view war in a just light; to see clearly its baleful influence on the political, moral, and religious condition of communities, and its opposition to the design and spirit of the gospel. Most earnestly do we desire that men may be brought to feel that a spirit of conquest is among the most atrocious of crimes; that the thirst for military glory is inhuman and ruinous, and that the true dignity and happiness of a people result from impartial justice tcwards all nations, and the spirit and virtues of

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We now see, that when two governments are inclined to peace, they can make some friendly power the umpire and last resort for settling points of controversy. For this ray of pacific light we are grateful, and we hope that it will be like "the shining light, which shineth more and more unto the perfect day." This hope is strengthened by reflecting on the animating fact, that the horrid custom of private wars, which for ages desolated Europe, was finally abolished by a similar project.

Besides, it is clear that every popular custom must depend on public opinion; and we also know, from history, that many customs and usages which were formerly considered as honourable, useful, and even necessary, have since been abolished as inhuman and barbarous, and are now regarded with detestation and

horror.

To the list of encouraging facts we may add, that by their late dreadful sufferings, the attention of the European nations is unusually excited to the guilt and miseries of war; and with joy we have learned that Peace Societies have been proposed, if not already established, not only encourage our hearts and strengthen on the other side of the Atlantic. These things our hands, but preclude the objection which might arise, that it is dangerous to cultivate the spirit of peace in one nation, whilst others retain the spirit of war. A co-operation in different countries is joyfully anticipated in this great work of promoting peace on earth and good will among men.

But above all other sources of encouragement, we contemplate the benevolent character of our heavenly Father, as displayed in the gospel of his beloved Son. We there behold him as "the God of peace," and we have a cheering hope, that he will own and prosper a society of peace-makers.

It is well known that a diversity of sentiment has existed among Christians on the question--whether war be not in all cases prohibited by the gospel. But we intend that this society shall be established on principles so broad, as to embrace the friends of peace who differ on this as well as on other subjects. We wish to promote the cause of peace by methods which all Christians must approve; by exhibiting, with all clearness and distinctness, the pacific nature of the gospel, and by turning the attention of the community to the nature, spirit, causes, and effects, of war. We hope that by the concurrence of the friends of peace in all nations, and by the gradual illumination of the Christian world, a pacific spirit may be communicated to governments; and that, in this way, the occasions of war, and the belief of its necessity, will be constantly diminishing,

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till it shall be regarded by all Christians with a very candid writer, who must certainly

the same horror with which we now look back

on the exploded and barbarous customs of for

On these principles, and with these hopes, we adopt the following

I. The name of this society shall be, "The Massachusetts' Peace Society." II. The government of this society shall consist of a president, a vice-president, a treasurer, a recording secretary, a corresponding secretary, assistant secretaries, and six trustees, who

have been informed of the subject on which he wrote. "The reader will perhaps be surprised to find no account of various observances, of which he has heard or read so much, such as the open stool, the examination, &c. &c.; but his surprise will cease, or perhaps increase, when he is assured that no such ceremonies

shall be annually chosen,---three of whom shall exist."-Eustace's Classical Tour, vol. 4, III. The funds of the society shall be under P. 401, note.

the direction of the trustees, to be employed for the diffusion of light on the subject of war, and in cultivating the principles and spirit of peace. The trustees shall have power to appoint an executive committee, and counsellors to advise with the corresponding secretary and to make regulations for the dispatch of business.

IV. Each subscriber of one dollar annually shall be a member.

V. Each subscriber of twenty-five dollars shall be a member for life.

VI. All donations to the society shall be recorded; and every donor of fifty dollars, or upwards, shall be an honorary member of the society and of the Board of Trustees. VII. Each member of the society shall receive one half his annual subscription in such books or tracts as the trustees shall approve, and at the lowest prices of the society. VIII. The annual meeting of the society shall be on the last Thursday in every year; at which time, reports shall be made by the trustees and the treasurer.

IX. This society will encourage the forming of similar societies in this country, and in foreign countries, by the dispersion of tracts, by correspondence, and by other suitable means. They will encourage mutual aid and co-operation among all the friends of peace, denomination.

of every

X. Should any person become a member of this society whose residence is remote from Boston, it shall be regarded as honourable for him to encourage the establishment of a similar

society in his own vicinity.

XI. No change in the objects of the society shall ever be made; but the articles may be amended, and new articles may be added, as occasion shall require; provided that no alteration be made except at the annual meeting, and by the consent of two thirds of the members who may then be present.

To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine.

SIR,

For the Monthly Magazine.

Y.

EVIDENCE of JOHN FLAXMAN, ESQ. R. A. before the COMMITTEE of the HOUSE of COMMONS, relative to the SCULPTURES brought from ATHENS by LORD ELGIN, ARE you well acquainted with the

Elgin collection of Marbles?--Yes, I have seen them frequently, and I have drawn from them; and I have made such enquiries as I thought necessary concerning them respecting my art.

In what class do you hold them, as compared with the first works of art which you have seen before?-The Elgin Marbles are mostly basso-relievos, and the finest works of art I have seen. Those in the Pope's Museum, and the other galleries of Italy, were the LaoCoon, the Apollo Belvidere; and the other most celebrated works of antiquity and statues. were groupes These differ

in the respect that they are chiefly bassorelievos, and fragments of statuary. With respect to their excellence, they

are the most excellent of their kind that I have seen; and I have every reason to believe that they were executed by Phidias, and those employed under him, or the general design of them given by him at the time the temple was built; as we are informed he was the artist principally employed by Pericles, and his principal scholars, mentioned by Pliny, TAM as great an enemy as Mr. Cas- Alcamenes, and about four others immetleden can be to all tyranny, whether diately under him; to which he adds a exercised by kings or pontiffs, but I wish catalogue of seven or eight others, who to see no charges brought against either, followed in order; and he mentions their but what are founded on truth. In con- succeeding Phidias, in the course of tradiction of a communication from Mr. twenty years. I believe they are the C. said to be taken from the "Nurem- works of those artists; and in this respect burg Chronicle," in your Magazine for they are superior almost to any of the March last, I beg leave to state the fol- works of antiquity, excepting the Laocoon. lowing extract from the admired work of and Toro Farnese; because they are

You do not mean the Metopes?---No; those statues which were in the east and west pediments originally.

Although you think it is a copy?—I am sure it is a copy; the other is an original and by a first-rate artist.

known to have been executed by the artists whose names are recorded by the ancient authors. With respect to the beauty of the basso-relievos, they are as perfect na- The committee is very anxious to ture as it is possible to put into the com- know the reason you have for stating so pass of the marble in which they are decidedly your opinion, that the Apollo executed, and that of the most elegant is a copy?-There are many reasons; kind. There is one statue also which is and I am afraid it would be troublesome called a Hercules or Theseus, of the first to the committee to go through them. order of merit. The fragments are fine- The general appearance of the hair, and ly executed; but I do not, in my own the mantle of the Apollo Belvidere, is in estimation, think their merit is as great. the style more of bronze than of marble; What fragments do you speak of?--- and there is mentioned in the Pope's Several fragments of women; the groups Museum (Pio Clementino) by the Chewithout their heads. valier Visconti, who illustrated that museum, that there was a statue in Athens,I do not know whether it was in the city or some particular temple, or whether In what estimation do you hold the the place is mentioned, -an Apollo AlexTheseus, as compared with the Apollo icacos, a driver away of evil, in bronze Belvidere and the Laocoon ?---If you by Calamis, erected on account of a would permit me to compare it with a plague that had been in Athens; from fragment I will mention, I should esti the representation of this statue in bassomate it before the Torso Belvidere. relievo, with a bow, it is believed that As compared with the Apollo Belvi- this figure might be a copy of that. One dere, in what rank do you hold the 'The reason I have given is, that the execution ?-For two reasons, I cannot at this of the hair and cloak resembles bronze. moment very correctly compare them in But another thing convinces me of its my own mind. In the first place, the being a copy: I had a conversation with Apollo Belvidere is a divinity of a higher Visconti and Canova on the spot; and order than the Hercules; and therefore I my particular reason is this, -a cloak cannot so well compare the two. I hangs over the left arm, which in bronze compared the Hercules with a Hercules it was easy to execute, so that the folds before, to make the comparison more on one side should answer to the folds just. In the next place, the Theseus is on the other; the cloak is single, and not only on the surface corroded by the therefore it is requisite, that the folds on weather; but the head is in that impaired one side should answer to the folds on state, that I can scarcely give an opinion the other; there is no duplication of draupon it; and the limbs are mutilated. pery; in bronze that was easy to execute, To answer the question, I should prefer but in marble it was not: therefore, I the Apollo Belvidere, certainly, though I presume, the copyist preferred copying believe it is only a copy. the folds in front, but the folds did not answer to each other on one side and the other; those on the back appear to have been calculated for strength in the marble, and those in front to represent the bronze, from which I apprehend they were copied.

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Does the Apollo Belvidere partake more of ideal beauty than the Theseus? -In my mind it does decidedly: I have not the least question of it. Do

you think that increases its value? Yes, very highly. The highest efforts of art in that class have always been the most difficult to succeed in, both among ancients and moderns, if they have succeeded in it.

Supposing the state of the Theseus to be perfect, would you value it more as a work of art than the Apollo?-No; I should value the Apollo for the ideal beauty before any male statue I know.

There is another reason, which is, that the most celebrated figure of antiquity is mentioned by Pliny and its sculptor, the Venus of Cnidus by Praxiteles; and he mentions it in a remarkable manner, for he says, the works of Praxiteles in the Ceramicus, not only excel those of all other sculptors, but his own; and this Venus excels all that he ever did. Now it seems inconceivable,

that so fine a statue as the Apollo could have been executed without its name being brought down to us, either by Pliny or Pausanius, if it had been esteemed the first statue in the world.

Do you think it of great consequence to the progress of art in Britain, that this collection should become the property of the public?-Of the greatest importance, I think; and I always have thought so as an individual.

living, most likely to produce it, and who were accustomed to see it frequently in public exercises; this classification, which they appeared to prefer, is conformable to the distinctions in the statues. It is well known, that in the writings of Hippocrates a great deal of attention is paid to the economy of the human body and its interior parts, but that its exteriors are not described as our modern anatomists describe them, but in a simpler manner, Do you conceive practically, that any by a general classification of parts and improvement has taken place in the state muscles. What I would particularly say of the arts in this country, since this col- on the subject is this: Hippocrates delection has been open to the public? scribes the edges of the ribs as forming a Within these last twenty years, I think semi-circle at the bottom of the upper sculpture has improved in a very great thorax; he describes, with some accuracy, degree, and I believe my opinion is not the meeting and form of the upper part singular; but unless I was to take time of the scapula and acromion with the to reflect upon the several causes, of collar bone: that part is particularly markwhich that has been the consequence, I ed in these figures. He describes the cannot pretend to answer the question: knee-pan as a single bone; and that was I think works of such prime importance could not remain in the country without improving the public taste and the taste of the artists.

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In what class do you hold the Metopes as compared with the Frieze ?- -I should think, from a parity of reasoning adopted between the Metopes and the flat basso-relievos with that adopted between the Apollo Belvidere and the Theseus or Hercules, the Metopes are preferable to the flat basso-relievos, inasmuch as the heroic style is preferable to that of com

mon nature.

Should you have judged the Metopes to be of very high antiquity, if you had seen them, not knowing from what temple they were brought?-I should certainly have taken them to be of the age to which they are attributed, the age of Phidias.

their manner of making the knee in the statues of that time; and, if I remember right, also he describes the upper part of the basin bone, which is particularly marked in the antique statues. In a few words, the form of the body has a classification of a simple kind in a few parts, such as I find in the ancient anatomists, and such as are common in the outlines of the painted Greek vases; besides, as far as I can judge from our documents of antiquity, the painted Greek vases for example, those that come nearer to the time in which these marbles are believed to be produced, are conceived im the same character, and drawn in the same manner.

Did not that classification continue much later than the time of Pericles? Yes, it did continue later, but it became more complicated, and in-some cases more geometrical.

with the Toro Farnese. I cannot judge very accurately of that at this time, for it was about to be removed from Rome at the time I was there, and it is very much

What characteristic marks do you ob serve of high antiquity, as compared with Does the anatomy of these figures agree the other works of antiquity?In the with the anatomy of the Laocoon, or of first place, I observe a particular classifi- the Toro Farnese?They agree most cation of the parts of the body; and I have adverted to the medical writer of that age, Hippocrates, and find that the distinctions of the body, when they have been taken from the finest nature in the broken. In respect to the Laocoon, I highest state of exercise, and in the best believe it to be a very posterior work, condition, in all respects, which might be done after a time when considerable'disexpected from those who possessed great coveries had been made in anatomy in the personal beauty and cultivated habits of Alexandrian school; which I think had

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