vocal performers were, Miss Rainforth, Miss Dolby, Messrs. Hobbs, Hawkins, Roe, and Phillips. The two organists of St. Paul's and Westminster Abbey, with Mr. Lindley, sustained the accompaniments. The whole performance was greatly applauded.

THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY, DUBLIN. Nov. 16. This celebrated Society, conspicuous in the annals of Irish eloquence, and which is said to have been the cradle of the genius of Burke, Grattan, Plunkett, Bushe, Curran, Croker, North, Perrin, Doherty, and many others, which, after an existence of half a century, had been dissolved in 1815, was revived by a meeting this evening. The Provost of Trinity College was in the chair; and there were present Dr. M'Donnell, Rev. Mr. Sadler, Rev. Mr. Graves, Rev. Dr. Luby, Rev. Mr. M'Neice, Mr. Jellett, Ven. Archdeacon Magee, all Fellows of Trin. Coll. &c. &c. An eloquent opening address was read by W. C. Magee, esq., exScholar (grandson of the late archbishop) which will be printed at the expense of the society.

Mr. Foote, one of the old committee of seven, and who has held the books for twenty-eight years, read several letters from the quondam Provost, Dr. Elrington, afterwards Bishop of Cloyne, proving that he had been, not (as was stated) opposed to the existence of this society, but that he had frequently and kindly remonstrated with them upon the course they were pursuing, in introducing political subjects of debate. For the future, in order to prevent a recurrence of such irregularities and discussions as led to its former ejection from the walls of the University, one of the Fellows of Trinity College will preside at the weekly meeting. All the records and property of the former society have been restored to the present one by the heads of the University; and under such patronage and control we may look for valuable fruits from a society of this kind.

LONDON INSTITUTION. The lectures at this Institution for the present season are arranged as follow:

Six on the Correlation of Physical Forces, by W. R. Grove, esq. M.A. F.R.S. Professor of Experimental Philosophy in the Institution; Nov. 13, 20, 27, Dec. 4, 11, and 18. Six on the Functions of Organic Life in the Animal Kingdom, by R. D. Grainger, esq.; Nov. 16, 23, 30, Dec. 7, 14, and 21. Two on American Literature, with especial reference to American Poetry, by Robert Howe Gould, esq. M.A.; Jan. 4 and 11. Two on the Philosophy of a Candle, by Professor Grove;

Jan. 8 and 15. Six on the Chemistry of Vegetable Life, by George Fownes, esq.; Jan. 18, 25, Feb. 1, 8, 15, and 22. Two on Gems and other Ornamental Stones used in Jewellery, by James Tennant, esq.; Jan. 22 and 29. Four descriptive of a Voyage from England to the Mediterranean Sea, with an account of a visit to most of the principal Sea Ports, by James Silk Buckingham, esq.; Feb. 5, 12, 19 and 26. Six on the Ballads and Lyrical Music of England, Scotland, and Ireland, by H. J. Gauntlett, esq. Mus. Doc.; Feb. 29, March 7, 14, 21, 28, and April 4. Six on Machinery, by Edward Cowper, esq.; March 4, 11, 18, 25, April

and 8. Four on the subordinate Characters in the Plays of Shakspere, by Charles Cowden Clarke, esq.; April 11, 18, 25, and May 2. Four on the Fine Arts, by B. R. Haydon, esq.; April 15, 22, 29, and May 6. Four Conversazioni will be held on the evenings of Wednesday, Jan. 17, Feb. 21, March 20, and April 17, 1844.

THE SYDENHAM SOCIETY.

The first general meeting of this Society was held at the rooms of the Royal Medico-Chirurgical Society on the 1st of May, Sir Henry Halford, Bart. in the chair. The Report of the Provisional Council, which was read, contained a brief statement of the origin of the Society, and of the proceedings of those who have taken upon themselves its formation and management.

It is well known that, within the last few years, several societies have been formed, with the view of supplying and diffusing works in various branches of literature, in a more efficient manner, and at a much smaller cost, than could be effected by individual efforts; and the Camden, the Parker, and the Percy Societies may be mentioned as examples of the great success which has attended such associations. To Drs. Joseph and William Bullar, of Southampton, the credit appears due, of having first entertained the idea of applying the principles of such societies to the diffusion of medical literature. But the desirableness of such a scheme appears to have presented itself to the minds of several members of the profession at different times, and was the subject of conversation at a meeting of the Provincial Medical Association held at Exeter in July last (in consequence of a letter from Dr. Branson, of Sheffield), and of several communications that have appeared in some of the medical journals. In the beginning of the present year, a meeting of several gentlemen was held at the house of Dr. Copland, to discuss the desirable. ness and feasibility of the formation of the

present Society, and the best mode of bringing it before the profession. After much consideration and numerous meetings, it was determined that the means by which the objects of the proposed Society would best be carried into effect, would be by distributing among its members,

1. Reprints of standard English medical works which are rare and expensive.

2. Miscellaneous selections from the ancient and from the earlier modern authors, reprinted or translated.

3. Digests of the most important matters contained in old and voluminous authors, British and foreign, with occasional Biographical and Bibliographical notices.

4. Translations of the Greek and Latin medical authors, and of works in the Arabic and other eastern languages, accompanied, when it is thought desirable, by the original text.

5. Translations of recent foreign works of merit.

6. Original works of great merit; which might be very valuable as books of reference, but which would not otherwise be published, from not being likely to have a remunerating sale, such as classified Bibliographies, and Alphabetical Indexes to periodical publications, and other voluminous works.

Notwithstanding that there is reason to think the existence of the Society is still but imperfectly known, so cordially have its objects been approved of, and so warmly have the efforts of its originators been supported, wherever the Society has been known, that already more than a sufficient number of members has been obtained to justify immediate steps being taken to carry its intentions into effect.

The Society is to consist of an unlimited number of members; the subscription constituting a member to be one guinea, paid in advance on the 25th day of March, annually; the anniversary meeting to be on the 1st of May. The post of President has been accepted by Sir Henry Halford, Bart.; that of Treasurer by B. G. Babington, M.D. F.R.S.; and that of Secretary for London by James Risdon Bennett, M.D. to whom all communications are to be addressed.

CHINESE BOOKS.

Her Majesty has presented to the library of the British Museum five chests of Chinese books, captured by the troops during the war in China. They are fine editions of works touching upon different matters connected with the administration and statistics of that vast empire. The books are in their Chinese cases or han, viz. small boxes, and these cases are var

at

1. The Tungche, a general account of the Empire, History, Laws, Provinces, &c. in 200 Chinese keuen or sections, and nearly as many Chinese pun or volumes. The printing of this work is indifferent, it having been most probably issued from the imperial presses Pihking, where the paper and execution of the books is much inferior to that of Nanking and the southern provinces. This highly valuable and interesting work is made up, in parts where imperfect, by manuscript.

2. Wăn hêen tung kaou. A general résumée of State Papers, consisting of Reports, Orders in Council, &c. relative to the Land Tax, Fields cultivated by Government, Currency, &c.

3. Tung teen, General Rules of the Empire.

4. Account of the Regulations of the Six Governmental Boards, and their Subordinate Offices, with the titles of the different Members of their Administration. The six boards are, the Official Board, which regulates appointments,—the Revenue Board, over Customs and Excise, -the Board of Rites, a kind of Board of Public Instruction, to regulate ceremonies, &c.—the Army Board, over both Land and Sea Services,-the Criminal Board, for Penal Offences; and the Board of Works, having the regulation of the government buildings, &c.

All these works, as well as the preceding, are imperial editions, probably executed at Pihking.

"

"DOMESTIC LIBRARIES' AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE AND WINDSOR CASTLE.

Her Majesty has just caused to be carried into effect a most praiseworthy design, emanating entirely from herself and his Royal Highness Prince Albert, for the establishment of "Domestic Libraries" in the servants' halls of Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle. Her Majesty has been pleased to make a donation of 1007. for the purchase of books to commence with, and has also presented a great variety of works, of a useful and instructive character. Prince Albert has presented 507. for the same purpose. A committee has been appointed to superintend the arrangements and business details, consisting of the following members of the Royal household, each of whom has presented various works of utility and reference, and also handsome donations to carry out the views of her Majesty and the Prince-Major-General Sir Henry

Wheatley (Privy Purse), George Edward Anson, Esq. (Private Secretary to Prince Albert), the Hon. and Rev. Charles Leslie Courtenay (Domestic Chaplain to the Queen), the Hon. C. A. Murray (the Master of the Household), and J. H. Glover, Esq. (Librarian in Ordinary to her Majesty). Robert Lyons, Esq. (the Secretary to the Master of the House. hold), has undertaken the office (by Royal command) of treasurer to the two library

funds, and to audit the accounts of each, once at least in the course of every year.

A letter addressed by Sir R. Peel to the widow of the late Sir Charles Bell, announces that a pension of 1007. has been conferred upon her, "in consideration of the high attainments of your lamented husband, and the services rendered by him to the cause of science."

THE NELSON MONUMENT.

Nov. 4. The statue of Lord Nelson, by Baily, reached its destination on the top of the column, erected under the management and after the design of Mr. Railton. The lower part was got up on Friday morning, after six hours' labour, and the upper portion followed on Saturday morning, and the arm was also in the course of the day united to the body. A flag-staff was erected which reached above the head of the figure, and from it was displayed the union jack, which is the identical flag under which the hero fell at the battle of Trafalgar.

This figure breathes the very soul and spirit of Nelson; there we behold the intrepid firmness of his mind-the determination to achieve his purpose, unawed by any terrors which the foes of his country could evoke. The simplicity of the attitude is very striking: here is no extended hand with truncheon or with telescope; it is Nelson himself on his quarterdeck, cool and collected. Like the angel introduced in Addison's Campaign, as an emblem of Marlborough's imperturbed spirit-calm and serene, he drives the furious blast of battle; rides in the whirlwind and directs the storm; and of Nelson it might indeed be truly added, from the same source, "In joys of conquest he resigned his breath, And, filled with England's glory, smiled in death."

Even when his life-blood was ebbing from his wound, reducing to a few short moments the current of his existence, Nelson's spirit was still active for his country's cause, still busied in the direction of his fleet. Assured of victory and of the capture and destruction of the foe, his dying words were-" Then let us anchor !"

The memory and example of Nelson will have their influence on the naval champions of Britain in all future time. This statue and this column are therefore the heartfelt and enduring tribute of a nation's gratitude and praise.

It is much to be regretted that the position chosen for so effective a specimen of British sculpture should be elevated so high as for ever to remove its more minute and individual details from the sight; it is impossible on a capital 156 feet from the ground that the features of the face of a statue, itself 17 feet high, should be clearly discerned; we therefore fully indulge in the hope that casts from Baily's Nelson will be deposited in some of our public buildings. We suggest that Greenwich Hospital would be a very appropriate receptacle for such a fac-simile, and, if placed in one of the quadrangles of that building in the open air, an artificial material of sufficient durability for it might we think be found.

A colossal statue of her Majesty is about being erected at the north-west corner of the Royal Institution, Edinburgh. The figure has been executed by Mr. Steel, of Edinburgh, and is said to be an excellent

work of art.

Philippe has been placed in the large A colossal statue, in plaster, of Louis chamber of the council of state, in the palace on the Quai d'Orsay. The King is represented for the first time with the royal mantle lined with ermine, and a laurel crown on his head. The right arm is stretched out horizontally, and the left is placed on a tablet bearing the inscription-" Devant Dieu, je jure d'observer fidèlement la charte constitutionelle," and the remainder of the oath pronounced on August 9 at the Palais Bourbon.

The French mint has just struck a very fine medal in commemoration of the visit of Queen Victoria to the Chateau d'Eu. On the obverse is the profile of the young Sovereign of Great Britain, and on the reverse the following legend-" S. M. Victoria, Reine d'Angleterre, visite S. M. Louis Philippe, Roi des Français, au Cha

teau d'Eu, en Septembre, 1843." The die was cut by M. Borrel.

PORTRAIT GALLERY AT DUBLIN CASTLE.

Earl de Grey, with his characteristic love for the fine arts, and desire to advance them, has determined to convert the drawing-rooms of Dublin Castle into a picture gallery, to consist of a collection of portraits of those noblemen who have served since the Union as Lord-Lieutenants of Ireland. These portraits are to be in size what is termed by artists three-quarter, and will be, it is said, presented to the gallery by those noblemen who still live and have filled that high and important office; and copies from the best portraits will likewise be presented by the relatives of the deceased. Nine out of the fourteen, necessary to complete the collection, are in progress, and that of Lord de Grey, bearing the star and insignia of the Order of St. Patrick, by Mr. George Bullock, is already finished, and at the Castle. As there will be ample space in the rooms appropriated to these works of art for small copies of the most authentic portraits of the Lord-Lieutenants before the Union, it is proposed thus to occupy it, and by this arrangement render the collection both curious and complete.

The Association for the Promotion of the Fine Arts in Scotland has, since its institution ten years ago, collected 36,0007. The number of paintings bought is 771, besides 40 pieces of sculpture; and the sum distributed among the artists probably amounts to three-fourths of the whole, say 27,0001. or 3,000l. per annum. The efforts of the association have tended very much to improve the public taste, and diffuse a love of art through the community.

The annual meeting of the Norwich Art Union was held at the Guildhall, on the 16th Oct. Sir J. P. Boileau in the chair. The report congratulated the subscribers on the addition of one-fourth to their numbers during the last year; and stated that the presentation of a print to each subscriber and the holding of conversaziones had been attended with beneficial results; and the Society had this year been enabled to afford a larger proportionate number of prizes than the London Art Union. The first prize of 301. was obtained by the Rev. H. Banfather, of Norwich; the second, 201., by G. Middleton, esq., St. Stephen's-road; the third, 157., by W.

L. Bryant, esq., of London. The other prizes varied from 107. to 37.

The distribution of Mr. Boys's Fine Art Prizes took place at Exeter Hall, on the 25th Oct. Mr. Cooke, a barrister, in the chair. The number of tickets was 12,000, and those to which the highest value was attached were, "The Trial of Charles the First," by Mr. Fisk; "The Trial of Lord Strafford," by the same artist; and "The Canterbury Pilgrims," by Mr. E. Corbould-which fell to Nos. 8340, 8686, and 3841. The number of "prizes" distributed was 702. Mr. Boys also announced another Fine Art Distribution in the forthcoming year.

FRESCO PAINTING IN GERMANY. The frescoes in the Town Hall of El. berfeld painted during the past year, by the artists Mucke, Fay, Pludemann, and Claasen, are now finished, and excite the admiration of all beholders. The idea of the work was conceived by Herr Mucke, who, among the friends of arts, has been long since credibly known as the painter

of the Barbarossa frescoes at Heltorp Castle, near Dusseldorf, on the Rhine. The idea and execution is as follows:Germany in her gradual progress from barbarism to civilization-the first wall representing barbarism, and ending with the death of Varus, has been executed by Fay; the second, symbolic of the introduction of Christianism, by Mucke; the third wall shows the Middle Ages, and has been executed by Claasen; while the fourth, by Pludemann, shows the progress of a Prince, surrounded by his loving and exulting people.

Professor Schnorr has been occupied ten years in the frescoes in the apartments leading to the throne-room of the palace at Munich. These halls are three in number, each devoted to the life of one of the celebrities of German history: Charlemagne, Frederick Barbarossa, and Rudolph of Hapsburg. The Hall of Charlemagne is the last in course of execution; the narrative lies in a series of twelve pictures, the subjects of which are, Charlemagne at the age of eleven years receiving the homage of the spiritual and temporal ranks; Refusing the proposition of the King of the Lombards; His first battle with the Saxons; Drives the Lombards out of Germany; Entrance into Rome; Capture of Saragossa, &c. &c. The execution of these works has been singularly rapid, the artist being of course assisted by his pupils.

OXFORD SOCIETY'

OF GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE.

Nov. 1. The first meeting of the term was held at the Society's room, near Lincoln College, the Rev. J. B. Maude, M.A. Queen's College, in the Chair.

Mr. Freeman, of Trinity College, made some remarks on Mr. Pugin's theory of Spires, with reference to his paper read at the last annual meeting. He stated, that the inspection of many churches since that time had slightly modified some of his views therein expressed, (the spire seeming to have been introduced abroad earlier than he had been aware of, or than is the case in England,) but that his conviction of the inaccuracy of Mr. Pugin's opinion was more strengthened than ever. According to Mr. Pugin, spires are a peculiarity not of districts, but of epochs ; whereas in the district about Maidstone the Early and Decorated towers have usually spires, either in the common or in Mr. Pugin's sense of the word; whilst the towers of the same date in the western part of Northamptonshire are generally without them, and the north-east part of the same county is famous for beautiful spires of the same period; and no satisfactory reason can be given why they should have been preserved in one district, and universally destroyed, or omitted when designed, in another. Early and Decorated towers the original parapet remains, either plain, with or without pinnacles, or pierced. Sometimes they have gables; sometimes a battlement has been plainly added, as is the case too with many Romanesque towers; though that it supplanted a spire, even in his peculiar use of the word, is a gratuitous assumption of Mr. Pugin's. In later Decorated towers the battlement sometimes seems to be original.

In many

Some omissions and misrepresentations of Mr. Pugin's were also commented upon, as the fact that Salisbury Cathedral was originally built without a spire, and his assertion that the noble spire of St. Michael's, Coventry, is Decorated, whereas it is Perpendicular, commenced in 1432. Mr. Freeman concluded by giving in a list of Early and Decorated towers, with and without spires, in several districts, remarking that, as many of them were visited some time back, before his attention was particularly drawn to the subject, there might be some errors in it, but that it contained many undoubted examples clearly opposed to Mr. Pugin's theory.

At the same time he allowed the correctness of the latter as to the ideal perfection of the style, which certainly requires a spire, though as a matter of fact it is no more universal than vaulting and clustered pillars, which are equally essential to the same ideal perfection.

The Rev. John Slatter, of Lincoln College, observed, that it is said to have been a canon of the Cistercian order to have no spires on their churches, as a mark of humility, and also that they had no bells; and mentioned several instances in confirmation of this, where towers were added to churches belonging to this order, at the period of the Dissolution, to receive the bells purchased from the ruined houses of other orders. He considered this as an argument in favour of Mr. Pugin's view, so far as the general practice of the age is admitted, by the fact of such a rule being adopted for the sake of distinction; but it is of course decisive against the universality of the practice, which is the only point in dispute between Mr. Pugin and those members of the Society who have interested themselves in the question.

The Secretary observed, that the plan which this Society originally prescribed for itself, and has steadily kept in view, is to collect facts and proceed by induction, leaving principles or theories to be drawn from them afterwards, whilst most writers on Gothic architecture seem to have gone on the opposite plan. With reference to Mr. Pugin's assertion, we find a number of early-English and Decorated towers existing without spires, and generally without any appearance of ever having had them; many have original parapets, and many others have saddleback roofs, the gables of which are evidently original, though these are less common in England than in Normandy. In the district around Caen they are particularly abundant, and it is not unusual to find within sight of each other a saddleback roof on one tower and a spire on another, which, on examination, prove to be very nearly of the same age. We must therefore conclude, that, in the ordinary use of the word spire, Mr. Pugin's assertion is not borne out by facts. With regard to the supposed rule of the Cistercian order, he doubted whether existing examples generally agreed with it, but considered it an interesting subject for investigation, and that the Society would be indebted to any of its members who would carry on the investigation, and furnish