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EPIGRAM, IMITATED FROM MARTIAL.

Tom engages a poet of famous renown, Some verses to write-which he shows as his own;

Go on,

Master Tom, nor mind what the world says.

Written by Ralph Tyne, vicar of Kendal, Westmoreland, who died 1627, and inscribed on his tomb by his friends. London bred me, Westminster fed me, Cambridge spred me, my sister wed

me,

That is surely his own for which a man Study taught me, living sought me,

pays.

LORD MANSFIELD.-This great man was never ashamed of publicly recanting any wrong opinion he might have adopted or made known, and he used to say that to acknowledge you were yes. terday wrong was but to let the world know that you were wiser to-day than yesterday.

EPITAPH ON A VIOLENT SCOLD.
My spouse and I full many a year,
Liv'd man and wife together;

I could no longer keep her here,
She's gone-the Lord knows whither.
Of tongue she was exceeding free,
I purpose not to flatter;

Of all the wives I e'er did see,
None sure like her could chatter.
Her body is disposed of well,

A comely grave doth hide her;
I'm sure her soul is not in h-ll,

For old nick could never abide her. Which makes me guess she's gone, aloft,

For in the last great thunder, Methought I heard her well-known voice

Rending the skies asunder.

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Learning brought me, Kendal caught

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THE LIFE of NAPOLEON BONAPARTE, late Emperor of the French, &e. By W. H. Ireland, Member of the Athenium of Sciences and Arts at Paris. Illustrated with highly finished Coloured Quarto Plates of Napoleon's Battles, engraved by Mr. George Cruikshank, from the originals etched at Paris by Duplessi Bertaux, being accurate Plans and Designs taken on the spot where each Battle was fought, by Denon, Vernet, &c. The only Work extant, the fidelity of which may be depended upon, as it was expressly executed by command, and under the auspices of the then French Government.

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OF

LITERATURE, AMUSEMENT, AND INSTRUCTION.

No. XXIX.]

SATURDAY, MAY 17, 1823.

[PRICE 2d.

View of London from the Cross of St. Paul's.

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What a living poet, Mr. Haynes, bas observed in his tragedy of Durazzo, of an ambitious man, that,

"Had he but wings to fly, He'd bear his very appetites to heaven, And slake his thirst i' the clouds," may well be applied to the young artist who passed whole nights in an observa tory erected over the cross of St. Paul's cathedral, in order that he might take a panoramic of London; and yet such a dangerous and difficult enterprize was achieved by an English artist. If any proof were wanting of the aspiring ambition and clevated and extensive views of the present age, such an undertaking as this would certainly supply it; and anxious to perpetuate an adventure unparalleled in the annals of art and enterprise, we this day, at a considerable expense, present our readers with a large and beautiful engraving of this singular subject.

It was when the cross of St. Paul's was taken down, in 1821, to be repaired and regilt, that an ingenious and enterprising young artist, Mr. Thomas Hornor, availed himself of the circumstance to obtain permission to erect an observatory above the usual scite of the cross, for the purpose of making panoramic drawings of the metropolis and the surrounding country.

Mr. Hornor had been for some time engaged in executing pictural delineations of landed estates in perspective panoramic views. In the course of his pursuits this way, he constructed an apparatus by which the most distant and intricate scenery may be delineated with mathematical accuracy. The metropolis and its beautiful environs furnished a fine subject for Mr. Hornor's delineation, and in order to effect this object, he passed the whole summer of 1820 in the lantern of St. Paul's immediately under the ball, in executing a general

view.

When this view was nearly completed, preparations were made for removing the ball and cross; and the scaffolding, which excited such general admiration, as a stupendous and most ingenious structure, and of which our engraving presents a correct idea, was erected. But even this was not suffi

cient for the aspiring artist's ambition,

that

"Desire of active souls, That pushes them beyond the bounds of Nature,

And elevates the hero to the Gods."

Mr. Hornor obtained permission to erect an observatory, supported by a

platform, several feet above the highest part of the present cross: and having succeeded in fixing the apparatus in the menced a new series of sketches, on a interior of the observatory, he com greatly enlarged scale, so as to admit the introduction of minute objects at a distance of some miles. In doing this he had to contend against numerous obstacles; sometimes portions of the scene would be in bright sunshine, and at others in total obscurity, producing an incessant alteration in light and shade. Other difficulties also presented themselves, but Mr. Hornor surmounted them all, and he made a complete panoramic view of the metropolis and its environs, on 280 sheets of drawing paper, comprising a surface of 1680 square feet.

The laborious toil, which he had daily to undergo, in ascending the infinite staircases and ladders to reach his aerial habitation, independently of the danger of a journey so often repeated, would have damped the ardour of most men. Few artists, however enthusiastic, profess the requisite courage and physical ability to counter such herculean labour, attended with such imminent personal risk. But our readers will form a better conception of Mr. Hornor's impressions from his own characteristic description.

en

"On entering the cathedral at three in the morning, the stillness which then prevailed in the streets of this populous city, contrasted with their mid-day bustle, was only surpassed by the more solemn and sepulchral stillness of the cathedral itself. But not less impressive was the developement, at that early hour, of the immense scene from its lofty summit, whence was frequently

beheld the Forest of London,' without indication of animated existence. any

It was interesting to mark the gradual symptons of returning life, until the rising sun vivified the whole into acOn one tivity, bustle, and business. occasion the night was passed in the observatory, for the purpose of meeting the first glimpse of day; but the cold was so intense, as to preclude any wish to repeat the experiment.

assistance was readily afforded by the "In proceeding with the work, every gentlemen connected with the cathedral; and, through their kind attention, all possible precautions were taken for the prevention of accidents to be apprehended in such an exposed situation. But the weather was frequently so boisterous during the stormy

summer of 1821, as to frustrate the judicious contrivances for security. In deed scarcely a day passed without derangement of some part of the scaffolding, or machinery connected with it; and so strong became the sense of danger arising from these repeated casualties, that notwithstanding the powerful inducement of increased remuneration, it was difficult on these emergencies to obtain the services of efficient workmen. This will not appear surprising, when it is known that, during the high winds, it was impossible for a person to stand on the scaffolding without clinging for support against the frame-work; the creaking and whistling of the timbers, at such times, resembled those of a ship labouring in a storm, and the situation of the artist was not unlike that of a mariner at the masthead. During a squall, more than usually severe, a great part of the circular frame-work of heavy planks, erected above the gallery for the prevention of accidents, was carried over the house-tops to a considerable distance. At this moment a similar fate had nearly befallen the observatory, which was torn from its fastenings, turned partly over the edge of the platform, and its various contents thrown into utter confusion. The fury of the wind rendered the door impassable; and, after a short interval of suspense, an outlet was obtained by forcing a passage on the opposite side. * By this misfortune, independently of personal inconvenience, considerable delay and expense were occasioned ere the work could be resumed; and it became necessary to provide against similar misfortunes, by securing the observatory to a cross-beam, and constructing a rope fence.

Our engraving presents a large and correct view of the scaffolding erected for the repairs of St. Paul's; with the observatory constructed above the cross of the cathedral for Mr. Hornor; be

* An accident somewhat more perilous befel Mr. Gwynn, when occupied in measuring the top of the dome, for a section of the Cathedral. While intent on his work, his foot slipped, and he slided down the convex surface of the

neath is seen a beautiful panoramie view of the metropolis; the whole ccpied from Mr. Hornor's own drawings; as is an enlarged view of the observatory itself, at the bottom of the plate.

Mr. Hornor is about to publish engravings from his highly interesting views, on an enlarged scale, by subscription, and we have no doubt that he will meet with ample success: though it would be difficult sufficiently to reward an artist who has incurred such hazards in an intense ardour for his profession.

THE OPENING OF THE EXHI

A

BITION.

POETICAL EPISTLE FROM RICHARD IN TOWN, TO ROBIN IN THE COUNTRY. Somerset House, May 8, 1823.

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Here one makes a shrewd anatomical point,

And shows that the arm, leg, or neck's out of joint; Another finds fault with the true picture twist, And

swears that the hand don't belong to the wrist;

dome, until his descent was fortunately obstructed by a small projecting piece of the lead. He thus remained until released from the danger which threat ened him, by one of his assistants, who providentially discovered his awful And now the throng thickens, and now

situation.

-

-

the folks squeeze,

You may elbow a Lord, or a Duke, if you please.

If the weather proves warm, you may judge in the case

"Twixt the paint on the canvass and that on the face,

And the shade with the substance may boldly compare,

As all pay their shilling to have a good

stare.

To see the fine sights, and to buy a fine gown,

Peter Puddle has trundled his daughter

to town:

With pressing importance he enters the rout,

And fancies he knows what it is all about. "Now look at that picture! I say, Suke, look there!

They wont make us think that was done for the May'r!

Here, stand in my place, wench, and mind you, don't budge,

I'll show you at once I'm a bit of a judge.

Does his eyes look on me now, or do they on you?

Why then if they don't, girl, it never will do.

I was told by the man in our parish who paints,

When I made the tight bargain to touch up our saints,

That a portrait that does not look all the room round,

Is not worth the price of the colours it ground.

If you go to the left, or you go to the right,

Your true picture should always keep you in sight."

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Still keeping her eye on her neighbour's broad face,

Paused a moment for matter, then stated the case, -

"In her age Mrs. Butterpat sinks half a

score,

And the Painter as much, or perhaps something more,

You and I, my dear Mudge, are but just in our prime,

Which for having our pictures is sure the best time,

And the man in our garret can do them, you know,

For without it you'll scarce think the sum he will owe."

"Now, Sir, don't you think," (said a Prig, taking hold

Of the man who stood next him,) "the fellow was bold,

To hang on the walls such a vile piece of stuff?

The hands and the feet may be done well enough,

But as to the coat they have hung on his back,

Why it fits just as well as a shirt or a sack:

Not a man that I keep on the board of my shop

But would cry out for shame on this vile piece of slop,

All who know what a coat is, with me too must join;

Don't you think, Sir, I'm right?"—"Sir, the picture is mine,

And when next you a critical judgment afford,

Let it be on your men, and your shop, and your board."

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"No, Sir, you're mistaken, my works are hung down;

As low as my feet now my labours are found,

But 'tis not in this way I shall ever gain ground."

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