ness.

Mr. Hope discovers more talents than most of his brethren nostrummongers; and many very shrewd and just remarks are scattered through this little volume, which at the same time bears some internal evidence that the author has not received a medical education. Although he professes to cure consumption or phthisis pulmonalis, yet his principal cases are young females whose primary affection had been leucorrhoea, which induced amenorrhea and general debility with an attendant cough. Surely Mr. Hope will not pretend to call such infirmities cases of pulmonary consumption. The author's prefatory observations on vaccination have considerable merit.

"How miserably must any person be in want of an argument, when they [he] object to the vaccine because it is a beastly disease. Most diseases equally merit such an epithet, and none more than the small-pox, a disease which is so loathsome, beastly, and filthy, that language cannot describe it, and so dangerous, that, even under inoculation, more, upon an average, die than are supposed liable to take the small-pox after vaccination, death out of the question; for none have been hardy enough to class the deaths from small-pox inoculation against the deaths by vaccine inoculation. It might, however, be curious to state the question for once. About two in a thousand die of inoculation; which in 10,000 inoculations will give twenty deaths. About one in a thousand are [is] liable to take the small-pox after vaccination, and one in ten die of the natural small-p -pox. Thus, 10,000 inoculations for the vaccine give ten cases of small-pox and one death: so that it requires to vaccinate 200,000 persons to produce twenty deaths."

THE ARTS.

The Historic Gallery of Portraits and Paintings; and Biographical [and Critical] Review [of Painting and Sculpture]: containing a brief Account of the Lives of the most celebrated Men, in every Age and Country; and graphic Imitations of the finest Specimens of the Arts, Ancient and Modern. With Remarks, Critical and Explanatory. Vol. III. 8vo. 72 plates. 17. 4s. Vernor, Hood, and Sharpe, 1808.

WE are happy to find that the biographical part of this book is improved, as we suggested, and that the student of "the human face divine" can now be gratified with a sufficient number of historical facts and anecdotes, whence his physiognomical observations may be elucidated. A little more attention to dates, and the concise manner adopted in "Harrison's Biographical Magazine," would still improve this "Historic Gallery," which has deservedly received considerable public approbation. This third volume contains thirty-seven portraits and thirty-five designs of paintings and sculpture. Among the latter are a monumental column and trophies, dedicated to the memory of Lord Nelson, as well as a colossal

statue of this hero; all of which were designed by Mr. R. Mitchell, and to be erected at Montreal, in Canada, at the expence of the public-spirited inhabitants of that country. The ornaments of the column very happily include representations of his lordship's principal achievements, with suitable inscriptions; and the statue faithfully adheres to truth, in exhibiting the warrior in his uniform, without any regard to an imaginary Grecian costume, which some artists have supposed necessary to give statues an effect. Perhaps, indeed, the grandeur of the figure, which is eight feet high, naturally associates with our preconceived ideas of the man, and thus contributes to withdraw our attention from the costume, and heighten the general effect of the representation. However it may be, we have no hesitation in saying that it is highly creditable to the talents of Mr. Mitchell, and much superior, in effect, to some. similar productions of English artists. Mr G. Cooke, the engraver of these plates, seems to improve in the outline style; his strokes become more flowing and easy. In such of the characters as are translated from the French, we noticed some expressions rendered too literally. These, however, are neither very numerous, nor very injurious to the general merit of the work. We shall extract the sketch of John Duke of Braganza, the restorer of the Portuguese monarchy.

"The dominion. [domination] of Spain pressed considerably on Portugal when Margaret of Savoy, Duchess of Mantua, resided there in quality of viceroy; but the chief power was in the hands of the secretary of state, Miguel Vasconcellos, of a disposition rigid and avaricious, who, by his skilful management in the distribution of honours, fomented among the Portuguese nobility a jealousy favourable to the support of his authority.

"One person alone he dreaded, which was John of Braganza, the son of Theodore, from whom Spain had taken the crown of Portugal; but Vasconcellos well knew the character of that prince, who, retired in his castle, preferred the felicity of diffusing happiness around him to the splendour of a throne, which could only be attained by the sacrifice of his repose. The people were, nevertheless, desirous that he should courageously assert his birth-right, and several of his subjects did not scruple to urge him to it. Too crafty to employ violence, Vasconcellos had recourse to measures to secure the person of the duke, who being informed of his designs, without appearing sensible of the snare that was laid for him, had always the address to escape it.

"The superintendant of his house, Pinto Ribiero, increased daily the partizans of his master. The archbishop expatiated on his brilliant qualities, and became fully acquainted with what was going on. The duke communicated the whole to his wife, Louisa de Guzman. Accept,' said she, the crown which is offered to you: it is glorious to die a king, even if you be one but a quarter of an hour.' These words confirmed the resolution of the duke, but his conduct was not the less reserved; and, while he was at Villa-Viciosa, the Portuguese accomplished the revolution with a degree of calmness which could not have been expected. They required but one victim-this was Vasconcellos, who was killed by the great chamber

lain, by a pistol shot. Some efforts were made to preserve his life. The vice-queen presented herself before the people, accompanied by her maids of honour, and flattered herself that her presence would appease the insurgents. What have I to fear from the po-pulace,' she exclaimed, except their scorn? You have to dread, Madame,' replied Norogna, that they do not throw your highness out of the window.' This answer greatly terrified her, and she retired; and, on the sixth of December, 1630, John of Braganza was crowned by the title of John IV. A little time after, the vice-queen Margaret conspired against him: some of her par tizans were put to death, others sent into exile, and Margaret was conveyed to the court of Madrid. He afterwards entered into alliance, offensive and defensive, with the Dutch and the Catalonians; and, to promote the welfare of his subjects, employed himself continually in lessening the taxes, and in the reformation of abuses.

4

"This prince was born at Lisbon, in 1604, and died in 1656, at the age of fifty-two, after a reign of twenty-six years."

Antiquarian and Topographical Cabinet, containing a Series of elegant Views of the most interesting Objects of Curiosity in Great Britain, accompanied with Letter-press Descriptions. Vol. IV. 50 Plates. 15s. Clarke. 1808.

HAVING expressed our opinion of the utility and merit of this work, and earnestly recommended it, in our account of the preceding volumes; we have now only to state, that it has contributed to establish the popularity of its authors, Messrs. Storer and Greig, aș landscape and architectural engravers. The fourth volume is unequivocally the best which has yet appeared, and we perceive in the plates a delicacy, spirit, ease, and vivacity, which render them greatly superior to those in the first. The selection of subjects is no Tess distinguished by taste and interest. A short extract from the interesting and curious account of "Ifley church, Oxfordshire," will show that its literary merit is by no means inconsiderable. It is equally pleasing and honourable to see a monthly publication thus improve in intrinsic merit and elegance, after experiencing the approbation of the public.

"The village. of Ifley," (say our artist authors,) "is about two miles from Oxford, on the the road to Henley, pleasantly situated upon a wooded eminence, having the river Isis flowing by its side. 'On its left, over a long range of corn fields, is Shotover Hill; on its right the meadows, enriched by the meanderings of the stream, are bounded by the shaggy top of Bagley Wood. Approaching the village from the University, the ancient tower of Ifley Church is seen elevating its venerable battlements above the trees. Nothing in the appearance of this fabric, excepting the tower, is calculated to arrest the attention on advancing towards it from the village; But turning to the western door, a rich profusion of Saxon ornament "Presents itself, upon which the corrosive tooth of time has been nibbling for centuries almost in vain; the only material injury sustained, being a slight depression of one of the mouldings in the arch. This door is surmounted by a chain beautifully sculptured,

each link of which is conjoined by a grotesque head, and encircles an animal, bird, or other device. Next is a large cable moulding, supported as it were by a great number of beaks issuing from grotesque heads: these ornaments are repeated on another moulding of the same description, which recedes; and receding again to a considerable depth is the wavy chevron; the whole produces a richness of effect not surpassed by any building in this style now remaining This door has been long in dissuse; it is encumbered with a wooden rail nearly overgrown with nettles: to these evidences of desertion have lately been added the ruins of a porch (which will be hereafter noticed); its head-stone, cruciform wrought, may be distinguished among the broken stones. Over the west door was a large circular window, now stopped up; one of the fourteenth century has been inserted in the space: three richiy-urnamented arches appear to have formed the pediment of this supert front, but these are now much injured by the lowering of the roof. Within a few feet of the church westward is a garden wall, which prevents an integral view of this interesting front from being seen to advantage.

"On the south side of the church is an elegantly-formed door exquisitely ornamented; its arch is supported by four columus; the two outer ones have plain shafts, those within are carved with diamond-work and zigzag. The capitals are exceedingly rich, representing on the left side two centaurs in combat, and on the right an encounter of horsemen : on the base of the last-mentioned column the figure of an animal claims particular notice. This superb door was till lately obscured by a heavy porch, which no doube greatly contributed to its present state of perfection, the carving being deep and fresh, excepting where it has undergone the process of whitewashing-an ignominy to which the whole door is perhaps at some future period destined.

"The southern porch was removed about the beginning of the year 1807, under the direction of the Reverend Mr. Cockell, minis ter, and the then churchwarden, Captain William Nowell, whose residence is near the church: much opposition was experienced by the projectors of this improvement-the villagers contended that the porch was a necessary resort before the church service commenced, and were very adverse to having their ancient privileges of sanctuary here invaded; but the minister and his colleague, rightly judging that the interior of the church was the most likely place to excite sentiments of devotion, proceeded with their work, and, much to their credit, have executed it so scientifically, that not a particle of the door was damaged in the operation; though, by the insertion of the timbers to form the roof of the porch at the time of its erection, the head of one of the capitals on each side and the middle of the arch have been broken.

"Though the interior of the church retains its original architecture, its interest is much abated, and its symmetry and beauty defaced, by the erection of a clumsy platform for the ringers, and a screen of carved wood: these obstruct the view along the chancel, and break the noble cross arch which supports its roof. There is

likewise a gallery erected at the west end, which, though it was probably the pride of the builders, is certainly no credit to their taste! we are informed, by a painted panuel on its front, that 'This gallery was built in the year 1738, for the use of the singers only; John Allin, Martin Browne, churchwardens.'

"The singing galleries have of late become very numerous, and there is now scarcely place of worship that does not exhibit one crowded with motley performers, to the great annoyance of the more sedate part of the congregation, who are wholly excluded from this part of the service, by the vociferous and discordant jargon of these pretenders to harmony.

"The church, from east to west, measures upwards of thirty yards, its width is about five. The tower is embattled and of moderate height, having no opening but the belfry windows. On its north-west corner is a large butment, containing a staircase leading to the belfry; this butment is terminated by a cluster of semicolumns covered by a sloping roof; immediately above, on the corner of the tower, is an enormous head with an open mouth, which emits the water from the roof; the lower jaw is sustained by a hand on either side.

"In the south-east corner of the churchyard is an ancient cross with an octangular base; its shaft is about nine feet in height, but so much corroded by time that no traces of sculpture, if it was formerly ornamented, could now be discerned. Near the cross stands a yew-tree, supposed to be of equal antiquity with the church; it measures about ten paces in circumference upon the ground; the trunk is much decayed, and presents a vacuity in which a man may stand erect; its external appearance, however, is vigorous and flourishing. In the decayed trunk are many chippings of stone, similar to that used in the building of the church; these appear to have fallen on the protuberances of the tree at the time the chancel was lengthened, and to have been gradually enveloped by the bark. Instances of this are by no means uncommon; many specimens of this nature are preserved in museums: there is a pebble of considerable size enclosed in a piece of oak in the museum erected at Oxford, by that indefatigable investigator of antiquity, Elias Ashmole.

"A specimen of the epistolary style in the reign of Henry VIII. appears in the following letter from Dame Kateryn Wells, prioress of Littlemore, to John Fettiplace, master of Queen's College, Oxford.

Right Reuerent and Worshipfull Master, I recommend me unto you as a woman unknowen, desyring to here of yowr good prosperite and welfare, the which I pray Allmighty God to preserve to hys pleasur. The cause of my wrytyng to your master. shippe at this tyme is this: hit is so, that Master Walrond bequethed unto the powr hows of Lityllmore, as I understand, xrs. yff hit wold like your mastershyppe to be so good frend unto your powr beyd-woman, off the foreseid plays, wer much bound unto your mastershyppe, for we had neur more nede of helpe and comlot of soche jentymen as ye be that we have nowe: for I under