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across the Channel, and he met the most Entering reception, &c." and a little father on : “This reception and those praises, excited however the envy of the London artiste; and it would appear that a conspiracy was formed to defame and depress him!! This is nothing but the common cant of foiled imbecility, and proves nothing of either envy or malignity, except in the writer; which is far ther proved by a series of illiberal abuses of Mr. Hope, who has been to this man, as well as to every artist, a liberal and honorable patron. Ilis charges against Mr. Hope however assume a more tangible shape, and can therefore be more accu

rately examined. "Mr. Dubost puts it to the honest and impartial feeling of the public, whether Mr. Hope had a right, after getting the picture of Damocles into his possession, (does Dubost mean to imply by this that he got it surreptitiously? to efface the painter's name, and afterwards, with the barbarity of a Vandal, to destroy the piece itself by entting it in two parts. Although Mr. Dabost sold the picture, he did not sell it to be destroyed"-Very well. So Mr. Hope is not only aVandal, but also a fool; for, according to this account, he gives an immense sum (800 or 1000) guincas we believe) for a picture, and destroys it. Bat mark, how a plain tale shall put him down. The picture has certainly been cut in two parts; but how? A few inches of sparable canvas from the upper part of the picture is cut off to make it fit a certain place intended for its reception, and the picture (except the circumstance of fitting the place better) is neither better or worse for its cutting-destroyed it is not, as its own existing evidence can prove. As to the effacing his name, if it had been suffered to remain after the evidence of every picture Dubost has produced in England since, would have been lending to an imposture, and it therefore is properly taken off; and there is no doubt the real painter or painters' name, can be affixed there in its stead. Mr. Dubost also complains of the directors of the British Institution refusing to exhibit his picture of Diana and l'enus. In reply to this, all that is necessary to be said is, that they would have deserved censure had they acted in a contrary manner. One more quotation, and we have done with Mr. Dubost. He asks, "What can Mr. Dubost therefore do, in defence of his reputation ? He is answered from Shakspeare, "Tell truth,

und shame the devil."

FARTHER ACCOUNT OF MR. SCHIAVO
NETTI. Vide last month.

Louis Schiavonetti was born at Bas1765. His father was a stationer, whose sano, in the Venetian territory, in April moderate circumstances enabled him to give to his eight children (the eldest of whom was Louis) a limited but useful manifested a taste for drawing, and some education. From his infancy he always of his early productions -excited the approbation of an able painter, Julius Golini; so that at the age of 13, he took him under his care, and laid that foundation of able drawing that so much distinguishes all his works. Glini dying but studying the works of Bartolozzi and shortly after this, he was left to himself; Volpato, his improvement was so rapid as to gain him employment from Count Relisher in Europe. Schiavonetti practised maudini, then the most extensive pubhere with much credit, when his rising tation to visit England, which he did in talents procured him an honorable invithe face of a pension that was offered him by some Venetian noblemen if he

would abandon his intended emigration,

Upon his first coming to Eagland he connected himself with Bartolozzi, and a printseller of the name of Testolini, but afterwards established himself on his own foundation; and from this period to that of his death, he cultivated his genius. with a success that answered the expec tations which were first formed of it, and conducted all his affairs with an uprightness and integrity that will cause his name to be equally honored as a ntleman and as an artist.

Mr. Schiavonetti (says Mr. Cromek, from whose excellent account in the Examiner, this is principally taken) possessed in very high perfection a freedom and accuracy of delineation. This powwhich were the peculiar characteristics er, united with the grace and dignity of his style, enabled him to treat every subject with a truth and distinctness of expression rarely to be found in the

works of other artists.

few words, Mr. Schiavonetti classes with
To sum up his professional merits in a
Girard Audran, Edelinck, Strange, and
Wonllet.

He not only possessed the fines-the union in tones, and general powers of delineation-the harmony of effect, which characterise the works of these eminent men; but he added a brillianey of execution, and playful undula tion of effect, which approached more nearly to the free penciling of the paint

2

er

er, than any thing that can be found in those of any other engraver.

Among his principal performances are the well known and admired plates of: The Madre Dolorosa, from Vandyck; the Portrait of Vandyck, in the Character of Paris; the Surprise of the Soldiers on the Banks of the Arno, from Michel Angelo's celebrated Cartoon; a Series of Etchings from Designs by Blake, illustrative of Blair's Grave; Portrait of Mr. Blake, after Phillips, for the same Work; the Landing of the British Troops in Egypt, from De Loutherbourg; the Etchings of the Canterbury Pilgrimage, from Stothard's esteemed Picture. This print was only advanced to the etched state, but is a most striking example of his powers as a draftsman, every line being expressive of the object it aims to represent.

Among other works which Mr. Schiavonetti had undertaken, was a portrait of the venerable president of the Royal Society (sir Joseph Banks), from a pic ture by Phillips; The Stag-hunt, in which Alexander III. king of Scotland, was rescued from the fury of a stag, by Colin Fitzgerald; painted by Mr. West.

INTELLIGENCE.

The second number of "the Fine Arts of the English School" is published, and shall be noticed in our next.

That liberal and judicious patron of the fine arts, Mr. Thomas Hope, has purchased Dawe's picture of Andromache imploring Ulysses to spare the Life of her Son, from the last exhibition, for 2001.

THE ARTISTS' FUND.

It will be right to inform our readers, that a joint stock and benevolent fund for the widows and orphans of artists

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who are members, has been established, but that it has no connection with a private exhibition in Pali-Mall, which is said to be for the benefit of the Artists' Fund." This praiseworthy institution is erected for the purpose of soliciting and applying the bounty of a liberal and wealthy people, to the benevolent purpose of preventing the last moments of a dying artist from being embittered by the reflection that he is leaving behind him a wife and children, without any provision whatever. To prevent the recurrence of such, it was resolved at a meeting of a few artists, to appoint a committee to draw up resolutions for the formation of this fund. After several meetings of this committee, a general one was held on the 22d of March last at the Freemason's Tavern, and a subsesequent one a few days ago. The enlightened friend of the arts will be pleased to hear that it is now completely organized under the direction of the following gentlemen as governors:-1. W. Devis, G. Hawkins, B. Marshall, W. Mulready, J. Randall, J. Scott, P. Tur nerelli, W. Tallemach, C. Warren. A. Davison, Esq. Treasurer, and J. Wilkinson, Secretary: of whom further particulars may be obtained. It is with great pleasure the following liberal donations are selected from the printed list which is circulated by the Society. -Alexander Davison, Esq. first donation, 20 guineas.-Abraham Goldmid, Esq. 10 guineas.-The Earl of Bredal bane, 10 guineas.-John Soane, Esq. R. A. 50 guineas; and many others, besides annual contributions for the support of the fund.

PROCEEDINGS OF LEARNED SOCIETIES.

Fourth Report of the Directors of the African Institution, read at the Annual General Meeting, on the 29th of March, 1810.

T bas appeared to the directors,

to followed the example set them by the legislatures of Great Britain and the United States of America; the flags of Spain and of Sweden (which, till within the last two years, had scarcely ever visited

I that without security of person and the African coast) have of late been ex

property, no adequate stimulus can be given to industry and consequently no progress can fairly be expected in the great work of civilization in Africa. It is therefore obvious, that while a considerable Slave Trade is suffered to exist, such security is unattain. able. But no foreign states have hither

tensively employed in covering and protecting a trade in slaves, in which, it ia however believed, the subjects of those countries have little or no direct interest! It has also been discovered, that, in defiance of all the penalties imposed by Act of Parliament, vessels, under foreign flags, have been fitted out in the ports of

Liverpool

Liverpool and London, for the purpose of carrying slaves from the coast of Africa to the Spanish and Portugueze settlements in America; and several adventures of this description have actually been completed!!!"

The persons, however, who are the most deeply engaged in this nefarious traffic, appear to be citizens of the Uni ted States of America. These shelter themselves from the penal consequences of their criminal conduct, by means of a nominal sale both of ship and cargo at some Spanish or Swedish port-(the Havannab, for example, or the i-land of St. Bartholomew). They are thus put in a capacity to use the flags of these states; and so disguised, have carried on their slave-trading speculations, during the last year, to an enormous extent !!!

The different communications received by the directors from the coast of Africa, concur in stating, that in the month of October last the coast was crowded with ressels, known to be American, trading for slaves under Spanish and Swedish flags. The slaves thus procured, it is understood, were afterwards to be carricd for sale, either to South America, or to the Spanish West Indies. Some cargoes (there is reason to believe) were Janded at St. Bartholomew's, and smuggled thence into English islands!!!

The extent to which this evil has unexpectedly and suddenly proceeded, and its obvious influence on all the plans for promoting the civilization of Africa, have induced the directors, since the last general meeting, to turn a large share of their attention to the best incans of restraining or removing it. Besides making the necessary representations, from time to time, to his Majesty's government, they have taken measures for communicating to the officers of the Royal Navy distinct information respecting the provisions of the legislature on this point, and the manner in which those provisions have been eluded; as well as to point out the pecuniary advantages which would accrue to them from a vigorous euforcement of the Abolition laws. The inducement to vigilance on the part of the navy is considerable; the captors being entitled to the forfeit ure of both ship and cargo. And although all slaves found on board are liberated, yet there is a bounty allowed by government to the captors, amounting to 401. for each man, 301. for each woman, and 101. for each child so liberated. Instances have already occurred

in which this bounty has been claimed and received.

The directors feel it incumbent on them to state, that, in prosecuting their inquiries into this case, they uniformly experienced, on the part of his Majesty's government, a prompt attention to their representations, and a cordial disposition to aid their efforts in preventing the infraction of the laws for the abolition of the slave trade.

It is to be remembered, to the honour of the government of the United States of America, that it seized an early op portunity of effecting the abolition of this trade, as far as legislative enactments could effect it. America, however, has few or no means of enforcing her own commercial, edicts. In despite of those edicts, therefore, her ships are now the great carriers of slaves, without any other defence against the penalties, to which as Americans they are liable, than is afforded by the flag, and simulated clearances, of some foreign state.

The directors will now proceed to notice what has been further done in the prosecution of the objects of the insti tution.

The capture of Senegal, which was effected in the month of July last, by captain Columbine, of the navy, and major Maxwell, the commandant of Goree, has considerably abridged the facilities enjoyed by the contraband slave traders on that part of the Slave Coast. It has also furnished an important inlet both for commerce and civilization; the river Senegal being navigable for several hundred miles, and some of its branches approaching within a short distance of the Niger.

Having received information that the plants of the mulberry-tree, which they had transmitted to Africa, had taken root, and were flourishing, not only at Sierra Leone, but at Goree and Senegal, the directors procured a considerable number of silk-worms' eggs, which were sent to those places, accompanied with particular directions respecting the pro per mode of rearing and managing them.

They have also transmitted to Africa a farther supply of some useful seeds: and likewise the model of a mill for cleaning rice from its busk; an operation which, through the defect of proper machinery, is performed at present in a very laborious, rude, and imperfect man

ner.

The directors apprehend, that the present inferiority of African rice is chiefly to be attributed to this defect:

they

they will therefore be obliged to any of the friends of the inststution who shall point out the best means of remedying

at.

The directors having applied to Dr. Roxburgh, of Calcutta, for his assistance in obtaining seeds and plants from India, have the satisfaction to state, that they have received the most liberal assurauces of his best exertions in favour of the in-titution. He has already transmitted to this country, with a view to their propagation in Africa, several vainable seeds, with the requisite instruc tions for their management. The dice tors are happy in this opportunity of expressing their high sense of the obligntions conferred on the institution by Dr. Roxburgh.

The directors have drawn the attention of their correspondents in Africa to a discovery (communicated to them by R. H. Marten, esq. and said to late been lately made in the West Indies) of the practicability of producing excellent rope from the fibres of the plantane tree. They have as yet received no report on this subject from Africa.

Referring the meeting to what was communicated in the last annual report, on the subject of a species of hemp, manufactured from the leaves of a particular kind of palm which abounds in Sierra Leone and its neighbourhood, the directors have now to add, that one of their board, Mr. Allen, has lately subjected a small quantity of cord, manufactured from this substance, to experiments calculated to ascertain its strength, as compared with the same length and weight of common hempen cord. The result has been very satisfactory. In five trials, the hempen cord broke with the following weights, viz. in the 1st, with 44lbs. avoirdupois; in the second, with 41lbs.; in the third, with 51lb.; in the fourth, with 41lbs.; and in the fifth, with 41lbs.: while African cord, of the same length and weight, required to break it, in the first trial, 54lbs.; in the second, 55lbs.; in the third, 52lbs.; in the fourth, 59 lbs.; and in the fifth, 47lbs. The average is as follows: hempen cord, 43lbs, 3 fifths; African cord, 58lbs. 2 fifths; being a difference in favour of the African cord,

of 10lbs. in 43lbs.

The directors noticed in their last report, the disadvantages under which the trade of Africa laboured, in consequence of the high duties imposed on the differcut articles of its produce. A

representation to this effect having been made to his Majesty's government, the matter was taken into their consideratiep, and a modification of some of those duties has been obtained. The duties on cotton wool, ginger, and coffee, the produce of his Majesty's dominions in Africa, are now the same as those payable on the like articles when imported from the West Indies; and on palin oil, the duty has been reduced from about 12s. 3d. to 4. per hundredweight, On one article, Cuinca grains, or Malaguetta pepper, the duty has been doubled; not with a view of increasing the revenue, but of operating as a prohibition of the use of it, as it is supposed to have been extensively employed in the brewing of malt liquor. The directo s, however, bave great roa son to doubt the existence of the deleterious qualities abscribed to this drug; as they find it to be universally esteemed in Afiica one of the most wholesome of spices, and generally used by the natives to season their food,

The directors have not as yet engaged in any direct attempt to explore the continent of Africa, principally because no proper means have offered themselves to their notice. It has, however, been communicated to them, that it is the intention of the African Association to send, at an early opportunity, one or more persons from this country, charged with the important object of farther discovery. The directors have signified their readiness to concur in any eligible measure of this description.

to

Before the directors quit this subject, they think it right to advert to a communication which has been made them by lieut.-col. Maxwell, the commandant of Senegal, respecting the celebrated traveller Mungo Park, in a letter dated on the 28th of January last, which contains the following passage:

"I avail myself of an opportunity, by way of Guernsey, to communicate to you the intelligence of the arrival in this colony of the black man named Isaacs, who was the guide who conducted Mr. Mungo Park to Sansanding, and whose schoolmaster, who resides there, furnished Mr. Park with a guide to take him to Kassina. This person appears convinced that Mr. Mungo Park is not dead: he says, if it was the case, he certainly should have heard of it: not having heard of him, he supposed he had returned to England.

To ascertain the certainty of the fate

fate of our intrepid countryman, I have engaged Isaacs to go in search of him, and have furnished him with a present for Mansong, the king of Bambarra, and also with means to defray his travelling expences; and have promised him a thousand dollars if he finds Mr. Park. He has instructions to proceed without delay to Sego; to present to Mansong the present he has for him; and to beg of him to aid him in his researches. If he cannot procure any certain intelligence of him at Sog, he is to continue his ourney to Sausanding, to find our the guide who conducted Mr. Park to Kassina. If there he cannot gain satisfactory information, he is to endeavour to proceed to Tombuctoo and Kassina.

"Isacs has promised to make every exertion to fulfil the object of his mission, and to use his utmost ability to gain correct information of the cele brated traveller."

It has been already mentioned, that commis-ioners have been appointed by government to inquire into the state of the African coast, with a view to the adoption of such measures as may most effectually promote the civilization and improvement of Africa. Their mission was delayed, in consequence of the loss of the Solebay frigate, which was to have attended them on the survey: and it was only in January last that another frigate was dispatched to supply the place of the Solebay. It may be presumed that they have by this time entered on their important labours, as the frigate had reached Goree about the 1st of February.

The information which has been received from Africa, since the last meeting of the institution, has been less abundant than usual; but the directors will now state such particulars of it as are likely to prove most interesting to the subscribers.

Their first extract will be from a letter of lord Caledon, the governor of the Cape of Good Hope, dared the 29th of May, 1809. His lordship, who is a life governor of the institution, and warmly interested in its success, writes as follows:

"From the vague reports of the colonists, as well as from other causes sufficiently obvious, I conceived it would be highly desirable, if a person were found qualified and willing, to explore the colonial boundary in the north-east direc tion; and as a medical gentleman of the MONTHLY MAG. No. 2021

name of Cowan, proposed himself to me for this purpose, I gave him my sanction, and what assistance I considered necessary, for enabling him to execute the design. He left the Cape in September 1808, and, crossing the Orange River, found himself on the 24th of December, in lat. 24°. 30'. long. 289. He was at this period resting on the bank of a river called the Moloffo, and had the intertion of proceeding on the following day in a course more northerly; but his ultimate object is to gain Mosambique, or one of the Portuguese settlements on the eastern coast.

"Dr. Cowan describes the country to the northward of Leetakoo as being for the most part fertile; and observes, that all the rivers he has hitherto passed run to the west. The reception he met with was invariably hospitable; and in scarcely any instance did the natives appear to mark a suspicion. As he advanced, he found an increased degree of civilization; and represents the wealthy people of one tribe of Barolloos as being possessed of servants, as well as slaves. The opthalmia was prevalent among these people.

"From all that I have been able to collect, from a worthy missionary of the name of Anderson, I am sanguine in believing that Dr. Cowan will succeed in reaching Mosambique, where I have already paved the way for procuring him a favourable reception."

"I regret very much," his lordship adds, "that I omitted to make myself acquainted with those points upon which the Institution might wish for particular information; but as it is not improbable that other adventurers may arise, I shall be obliged to you to procure for me the directions, if such there are, which the Institution furnishes to those in its employment."

His lordship's request has been complied with; and he has been furnished with copies of the queries drawn up for the purpose of guiding the inquiries of African travellers.

In a letter, dated March the 6th, 1809, the governor of Sierra Leone inforins the directors, that

"Measures have been taken for exciting the attention of the Coast to the cotton seed sent out by the Institution, and a portion of it will be propagated in this colony at the proper season.

"An experiment has been made of H

the

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