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A letter from Rome, dated the 10th of laft July, addressed to a correfpondent of the writer at Aix, and lately printed in the Magazin Encyclopédique, obferves, that the Cardinal BORGIA is publishing a Defcriptive Catalogue of the Coptic Manufcripts now in his poffeffion, the number of which amounts to three hundred. This Catalogue is the production of the learned ZOEGA, editor of the well-known work upon Obelisks. The author does not content himself with giving a notice upon each of the manufcrip's; he likewife inferts long fragments of the text, with a Latin tranflation in the margin. He has now arrived at the forty-third manufcript. The Vatican Library had a confiderable number of fimilar manuscripts, all of which have been removed by the French. The Cardinal, a little before the arrival of the French at Rome, had fortunately caused exact copies to be taken of them, and with thefe his Catalogue will commence, under the title of Codices Memphitici. Next to thefe follow fuch as have been found in the cities of Syene, Thebes, &c. &c. We find here not only Bibles, Acts of Councils, Acts of the Martyrs, but likewife historical treatises of different countries, and a number of memoirs relating to the fine arts.

The Pope has ordered confiderable fubterranean researches to be made at Oftium, during the winter and spring of last year, which have led to the difcovery of feveral fine ftatues. The immoderate heat of the fummer having interrupted the career of thefe labours, the government has employ. ed the workmen on a labour likely to prove equally useful. They are now bufy in the emplacement or fite of the city, in removing the earth and ruins which cover the bafes of the most confiderable and important monuments, fuch as the Colifum, the Arches of Titus, of Septimius Severus, &c. &c. This labour will produce the fame effect as that which took place respecting the Column of Trajan, under Sextus V. The pedeftal of that column was buried in the earth, but was afterwards expofed to view; and a large foffé was conftructed, paved, and encircled with a wall, on which an escalier or gallery was made, for the purpose of making the tour of the column. Already one part of the bafe of the Arch of Septimius Severus is open to view, and they have discovered fome pedeltals of columns, decorated with bas-reliefs of great beauty. The fuperintendance of this undertaking is affigned to the celebrated Canova, the sculptor.

This artift is well known for three beautiful ftatues-Perfeus, an athlete, and a Hercules, which the Pope has caused to be placed in his Museum. Perfeus is reprefented at the moment when he has just cut off the head of Medusa, and ftands in the niche where the Apollo of Belvidere was placed. This ftatue need not have been difavowed by the best Grecian artist. It may be observed en passant, that Pope Pius VII. favours the arts and a tafte for antiquity with all imaginable ardour, as far as his means will authorize him.

In the Report of the Labours of the Society of Emulation of Abbeville, among other memoirs, is one, entitled Essai de Solution, &c.; or, an Attempt to folve cer tain Mathematical Problems relating to the Art of Navigation, by M. POIREE, an Affociate Correlpondent. In this Me moir, M. Poiree propofes a geometrical formula extremely imple, which, if it does not completely anfwer the purpole, may certainly prove advantageous, particularly in obviating the geometrical inaccuracies of the reckonings which mariners make in their courfe; who, for want of terreftrial objects which they have loft fight of, when out at sea, have no other director than the aid of the compafs, ever inclined towards the north, and the meridian under which the veffel is, which make, with the one they are bound to, an angle, the fummit of which is at the pole. The author obferves, that the line which joins the point of departure to that towards which the course is directed makes, with these two meredians, a trian gle, which he names the triangle de route, or the triangle of paffage. He further ob ferves, that the veffel, which is often changing place and paffing on a new meridian, yields greater or lefs advantages, which diminish that of the triangle of paf fage; hence it follows, that the angle fituated at the pole diminishes, and that the one at the point where the veffel is, augments; the pilot, therefore, will deviate from his track, and retire from the point to which he is defirous to arrive.

In the fame Report is an Effay on Longitudes likewife, by M. Poirée. The object of this work is to give at once the means of exactly finding the longitude in certain particular cafes, and to arrive very near it in others; to determine with precifion the amount of each new degree of longitude of France, not only at every new degree of latitude, but even at every tenth of a degree; or at every myriameter, the new French itinerary measure. M. Poirée

adds'

adds to this work two tables, and fome obfervations very proper to facilitate the understanding of them. The firft table comprizes the new and old degrees, and their amount in myriameters, in ordinary leagues, and in marine leagues. The fecond is compofed like the first, with the addition, however, of a particular column,

M

containing the difference of length to be found between each degree of longitude, from one degree of latitude to the next following one. The calculations are eftablifhed on the original metre, which it will be easy to reduce to the rectified metre.

REVIEW OF NEW MUSICAL PUBLICATIONS.

Two Sonatas for the Piano-forte, with Accompaniments for a Violin and Violoncello, ad libitum Compofed by D. Steibelt, Efq. 75. 6d. R. Steibelt has difplayed in thefe Sonatas much of his well-known floridity and beauty of fancy. A few of the pages, we are aware, will, by fome, be deemed a little too wild and rambling; but the moft faftidious connoiffeur cannot but be pleafed with the originality of most of the ideas, and the brilliant effect neceffarily refulting from them, if properly performed. The first fonata comprizes three movements, the fecond two. They are all judiciously diverfified, and are not only attractive in themselves, but derive an additional Atrength of effect from the propriety with which they are contrasted.

Six English Ballads, with an Accompaniment for the Piano-forte; compofed and infcribed to William Horley, Mus. Bac. Oxon. by bis Pupil, J. F. Burrows. 6s.

Speaking with that confideration due to early effort, we cannot but fay, that this first publication of Mr. Burrows promifes confiderable future fuccefs in balladcompofition. The firft, third, and fourth melodies are pleafingly conceived, and befpeak much eafe and prettiness of fancy. We, however, recommend it to Mr. Burrows, and to all young candidates for profeffional fame, to be more fcrupulous in their choice of words: "When Damon languished at my feet ;" "The gentle fwan, with graceful pride;" and "When Delia on the plain appears;" have been formerly in the hands of fuch great mafters as to induce a comparison too disadvantageous to youth, and inexperience, not to be affiduoufly avoided by thofe who would conciliate the indulgence of the public. A Sonata for the Grand and Square Piano-forte, with additional Keys; compofed and dedicated to the Countess of Stanbope, by Auguftus Voight. 45.

This is a Sonata of a florid ftyle, and much brilliancy of execution. The paf

fages are mafterly and commodious for the finger; and the general caft of the compofition evinces an intimate knowledge of the effects to be produced on the pianoforte, by a tuneful and well-practifed hand. The subject of the rondo is not, perhaps, fo ftriking as we should have been fed to expect from a compofer of Mr. Voight's lively imagination; neither is it without the merit of originality; nor does the digreffive matter fail of that ftrength and confiftency of idea which pervades the whole of the first movement.

The Harmonious Tree" exhibiting at one View the Origin and Ufe of all the Chords employed in Mufic. Dedicated to the Queen, by F. Jouffe. 6s.

We congratulate Mr. Jouffe on the excellent and useful fruit produced by his Harmonious Tree. The idea is novel and ingenious, and the execution will be found clear and edifying by all ftudents in harmony. The fundamental chord is happily typified by the ftem of the tree; out of which the fundamental major difcord, the fundamental minor difcord, and the various fevenths, naturally fpring; and which are appropriately depictured by the collateral branches. The whole figure, together with the explanations, fill a handfcme fheet of fuper-royal; and while it gives, at a glance, one of the fulleft fingle views of the harmonic fyftem we have yet feen, it prefents to the eye a pleafing, picturefque, and well-defined object.

Le Rameau Laurrier; compofé pour le Piano-forte et la Harpe, par M. A. Bryan. 25.

"Le Rameau Laurrier," confifts of three movements, ingenioufly imagined, and fkilfully arranged. The firft, a March Villageoife, is bold and fpirited, yet fmooth and familiar; the fecond, an Andante Paftorelle, is fimple, though ele gantly tender; and the third, a Rondo à la Payfanne, poffeffes a rustic ease and fweetness that at once characterizes the

movement

movement, and difplays the judgment of the compofer.

"The_afflicted Africans, a Cantata; composed by George Guest, Organist, Wisbech, and late of bis Majesty's Chapels-royal. The words by Cowper. 35.

The mufic of the "Afflicted Africans," is very unequal. In fome inftances it is fcientific, elegant, and pathetically expreffive; in others, we are obliged to fay, ill-constructed, meagre and infipid. The accompanied recitative, "Is there as you sometimes tell us," is judiciously managed; and the change at "black! he answers," befpeaks a free and justnefs of conception, that may rife into confiderrable future excellence.

Mary, a Scottish Ballad; the Words and Melody by Mr. Rannie

IS.

Mr. Rannie, to whofe Mufe the public have been indebted for fo many pleafing lyrical efforts, has added another fprig to his bays, by his prefent production. The poetry of Mary" is thort but fmooth, tender and pathetic; and the melody is natural and unaffected. In a word, this little ballad eminently poffef ses the attractions we look for, in this fimple fpecies of compofition, and will, we doubt not, be favourably received. Three Sonatas for the Piano-forte; compofed by M. Mcbul, of Paris. 55.

Thefe fonatas are recommended by their eafe, pleasantnefs, and variety. The paffages are remarkably free and unreftrained, yet rife out of each other very regularly and naturally; and the several movements are arranged with a consistency, and command of effect, which afford another proof of the matured judgment of this ingenious and ornamental Member of the French National Inftitute.

cy and taste of its author. The introduc tory movement is elegant and graceful, and the fubject of the fecond, as well as that of the concluding, ronde, is remark ably pretty. The four hands are through out judiciously disposed of, and the gene ral effect is most pleasingly striking.

The Clock ftruck One, a favourite Song; come pojed by Mrs. Crouch. 15. 6d.

This fong, though certainly not diflinguifhed by any prominent traits of excel lence, poffeffes fome paffages that rank above mediocrity; and which, were they more novel and better connected, would raite the melody much above its prefent character. The effect of the whole we muft, however, in justice, repeat, greatly exceeds that of the commonly ballads of the day, and is not without its claim to our refpe&ful notice.

Blaife et Babet, a favourite French Air; an=" ranged with Variations, for the Piano-forte, by T. Powell. 25.

Mr. Powell has fubjoined seven pleasing and tasteful variations to this favourite air. This ingenious musician only profeffes himself a violoncello performer; but the addrefs with which he has acquitted himself, in his prefent production, would lead us to fuppofe him well acquainted with the character and capacity of the inftrument for which it is in

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This is an agreeable little ballad. The melody is fmooth and eafy, and in its general caft indicative of a free and pleafing imagination. The bars, though

A Grand Duet for two Performers on one Pia-flight, is chofen with judgment, and we ano-forte, with the additional Keys; comare only forry the general effect is not pofed and infcribed to Mifs Juftina Wynne and heightened, as it might have greatly been Mis Harriet Wynne, by Joseph W. Hoiden. 5s. by a piano-forte accompaniment. This Duett does great credit to the fan

A

MONTHLY RETROSPECT OF THE FINE ARTS. (Communications and the Loan of all new Prints are requested.)

STATE of warfare, or expected

ed as inimical to the fine-arts; notwithftanding which, the walls of the Royal Academy are covered as much as they could be if the country was in a perfect ly tranquil fituation; and many hundred pictures have been rejected, and returned to the painters, for want of room. Upon the merits or defects of thofe which are MONTHLY MAG. NO. 114. ·

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to fay, that, "though it was rather more difficult to paint a picture than to difcover its defects, yet he did not think it probable, that among twelve men, who might be deemed competent to form a jury to approve or condemn a picture of his, one would be found who would judge of it fairly; because (added he,) they will not try it by the test of nature, from which it was painted.

"The admirers of Vandyke will fay, the portrait wants air. The followers of Romney will fay, it wants fquareness. Those who adore Sir Joshua Reynolds, will decry it as deftitute of talle; and the imitators of Rembrandt will object to its wanting breadth in the fhadows.He that makes Mr. Gainsborough his idol, will fay, it has too decided an outline, and is edgy; while the admires of Mr. Weft may perhaps object to the outline being uncertain and ambiguous.

"With refpect to my brother-artists, (continued he,) I am apprehensive that many of them paint by laws that bear a ftrong resemblance to thofe by which thefe critics judge, and the confequence appears in their productions; where neither the excellencies nor errors are origimal, but the refult of their fucceeding or failing in their imitation of the manner of that mafter whom they have made their leading model.

"To illuftrate this, we will fuppofe A, E, I, O, U, to be five painters. A is a blockhead; E, a man of fome capabilities; I, a perfon of ftill fuperior attainments; O has attained high rank in his art, and deferves a high character, but is ftill deficient in many effential particulars. We will fuppofe that U is perfection itfelf; yet it is more than probable that his inferior, who we have claffed under the letter O, will be looked up to, and followed; but admitting that the perfect artift, whom we have claffed under the letter U, is admired and imitated, yet, with all his fup riority of ability, he hides nature, instead of difplaying it, to the man who implicitly follows and copies him.”

Such were the opinions of this very eccentric painter, who, with all his oddities, had a large portion of profeffional merit, and is at this time difplaying it in painting portraits of his countrymen in the neighbourhood of Philadelphia, where he has fome years refided.

For an Exhibition to open without dif putes, and generally violent difputes, among the artists, would be a phenomenon that neither is, nor was, nor e'er fall be. The Prefident has, however, gained

his point, and triumphed over his opponents, by exhibiting his picture of Hagar and Ishmael, (which was rejected last year as having been previously exhibited in the Royal Academy ;) having first made fuch alterations as are a falvo for his own confcience.

The Lottery for the difpofal of the Shakespeare Gallery, &c. is now before the public; we ftated the claims which we thought it had to public patronage, in a former Retrospect; and i gratifies us to add, that it feems to meet with it.A lottery without a blank is, in this country, a new thing.

Count Truchiefs has published Propofals for the difpofal of his great Collection of Pictures, which are now exhibiting in Portland-road, in which he expreffes his earnest wishes that they may be converted into a grand and permanent national eftablishment. The terms of the fubfeription by which he means to accomplish this, he has explained in a little pamphlet, to be had in Portland-road, which he thus concludes, in reply to any objections which may be made to an inftitution in favour of the fine-arts at this period :-" The enlightened public will rather be convinced, that, precifely in the time of war, whatever contributes to the increafe and perfection of the fine-arts, is a happy, however inadequate compenfation, for irs inevitable grievances, and will, in no. fmall degree, enliven thofe fcientific and

commercial branches that too often lan

The

guifh under fuch circumstances. greateft examples confirm the truth of this affertion; and it will therefore confer a double portion of immortal honour on British public-fpirit, to lay the groundwork of fo fplendid and useful an eltablishment, amidst the most fpirited military exertions, carried on throughout the country from the fame impulse of patriotifm."

A Gallery of the Fine-Arts, at the corner of Southampton-ftreet, Strand, is now open; where, under the direction of Mr. Bell, are fubmitted, gratis, to the infpection of the public, feveral works connected with literature and the fine-arts. The defign is, to form an historical and picturefque gallery, which fhall contain fpecimens of the molt fplendid Parifian works, calculated to illustrate the arts, and develope the hiftorical events of the late French Revolution. It is meant to exhibit fuch fpecimens of the beft modern productions in the graphic art, as will form, from this era, a comparative view of their progrefs in the two greatest and

most

moft polished nations; and thus difplay an extensive bafis of furvey and comparifon, and familiarize the English artist and amateur with the works of the great, fublime, and diftinguished painters and fculptors, which the fortune of the late war concentrated in the capital of France. To produce this defired eff.&t, the moft eminent artists in England and France have promised their zealous co-operation. Among many other fine fpecimens of the English fchool, now exhibiting, are, the Wolfe, La Hogue, Boyne, Penn's Treaty with the Indians, Wright's Dead Soldier, and Mr. Bromley's very capital engraving, from Loutherbourg's Picture of the Grand Attack on Valenciennes, which we noticed in a former Retrofpect. The best production from the Italian school, is the large print of the Laft Supper, engraved by Raphael Morghen, from the picture by Leonardo Da Vinci.

Among the most capital works of the French school, are upwards of 300 etchings and engravings after old mafters by Denon, fome of which would be very ufeful ftudies for our younger artifs. Such etchings as his difplay ten times the effect, and demand ten times the talent, of all the dotted fan-mount trumperies that ever were engraved.

But few prints of any marked merit have been lately published. Among the little things, the engravings from Smirke and Weftall's drawings for Smart's edi. tion of the Spectator, Guardian, &c. have the pre-eminence. There is a very good chalk-print of

The Right Hon. Francis of Moira, ading G. M.
of the Free and Accepted Mafons. Hoppner,
R. A. pinxt. F. Bartolozzi, R. A. delin.
Henry Landfeer fculpt.

In appreciating the merit of men whose powers can now be called into action, the public may differ in their opinions of the foldier who has a right to be classed as the Second military character in this country; but we believe every one would agree, that Lord Moira must be denominated the first.

Among that order, whose birth or merit has placed them in a fuperior rank, we may, without any invidious reflec tions upon others, affign him that place in the fcale where his manly character and independent fpirit confer more honour on the peerage than he receives from it; for however depraved the manners of the higher ranks of fociety may hereafter become, we may fairly apply to him Pope's lines on another character: "Here English bounty yet awhile may stand, And honour linger, e'er it leaves the land.”

His bounty is not confined to the people of one religion or one country; to want his affiftance is the only title he requires, and he in all cases

." adopts the noble part, To cafe the opprefs'd, and raile the finking heart.'

We were much pleased to see in the title of this print the striking coincidence of the moft philanthropic character in the British Empire, recorded as the deputygrand master of the most benevolent fociety in the world.

INCIDENTS, MARRIAGES, AND DEATHS, IN AND NEAR LONDON.

With Biographical Memoirs of diftinguished Characters recently deceased.

MARRIED.

Mr. Griffes, organift, of Charlotte-ftreet, Fitzroy-fquare, to Mifs Cooper, of Charlesftreet, Cavendish fquare.

J. Bayford, efq. to Mifs Heffeltyne, of Bedford-iquare.

At Marybone, Capt. G. Martin, of the navy, to Mifs H. Bentinck, youngest daughter of the late Capt. Bentinck.

The Hon. Col. Stewart, fon to the Earl of Galloway, to Mifs Douglass, grand daughter to Lord Harewood.

At Greenwich, the Rev. J. Sairle, to Miss F. Maitland, of Bluefile.

G. H. Nolcken, efq, of the third regiment of foot-guards, to Mrs. Durnford, of Upper Seymour-ftreet, Portman-square.

A. Reid, efq. of Fitzroy-fquare, to Miss Macneill, of Hampstead.

Mr. Compigné, folicitor, of Gosport, to Mifs A. L. Baker, of Pall Mall.

W. Dacres Adams, efq. eldest son of W. Adams, efq. member of parliament for Totnefs, Devon, to Mifs E. Wynell Mayow, daughter of M. W. Mayow, efq. of Elyplace, Holborn.

Mr. J. Townsend, of Ludgate-street, to Mifs Jackson, of the fame street. 3 E 2

Mr.

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