here too, see all the birds of game, both of land and water; among others, the grouse, and our bird, improperly called pheasant; the beautiful English pheasant, and an interesting collection of snipes, woodcocks and plovers.

On projecting cases, between the windows, is a classification of four thousand insects, in frames. Those species which are too small to be examined with the naked eye, are placed in microscopic wheels: there are also seven cases with minerals, and fossils, arranged according to Kirwan, from various parts of the United States, and other parts of the world. Among the clays are some American specimens, equal to those of which the finest porcelain is made, in China or France. At the east end are several medals, some struck by congress, and some by order of Joseph Sansom, esq. commemorating events of the American revolution. There are also two edible birds-nests, from the East Indies.

Over the birds, in neat gilt frames, are two rows of portraits, one hundred and fifteen in number, of distinguished personages, painted from life, by C. W. Peale and his son Rembrandt. This collection was begun in 1779, and contains many of the heroes and sages of the revolution, who contributed, by their swords, their pen, or their counsel, to the attainment of the liberty we now enjoy. There is also a collection of portraits of distinguished French literary characters, painted by Rembrandt Peale.

BACK ROOM.

This contains the skeleton of the mammoth, which was dug up by Mr. Peale in 1801, out of a marle pit in Ulster county, New York: various Indian figures in their native war dresses: other Indian dresses, and an interesting collection of their ornaments, spears, war clubs, stone hatchets, cups, pipes, and utensils: idols from the Sandwich islands; the Dd

sleigh in which colonel Pike travelled six hundred miles, from the source of the Mississippi, drawn by two dogs; the shoe and stocking of the Irish giant O'Brian: various curious specimens of clothing made from the barks of trees, by the natives of the South Sea islands, and from the intestines of the whale by the Indians of the N. W. Coast of America. Ancient English bow gun; bamboola, an instrument of music from Africa. Chinese compass and dial: various mammoth teeth of both species, found in different parts of the United States; a live rattlesnake, and numerous smaller articles.

There is also a figure and striking likeness in wax, of the late captain Lewis, as he was dressed by a Shoshone chief, in ermine skins, near the source of the Missouri.

THE MARINE ROOM

Is in the third story, and contains the chama, a shell, three feet long and 185 lbs. weight: a blue, and hammer headed shark: sword fish, saw fish: alligator fish, and paddle fish, from the western rivers of the United States: Miami salmon and pike; dolphin; large sun fish from the capes of Delaware; frog fish, with rows of teeth in the throat; alligators from the southern states; a great collection of tortoises, among others the gouffer of Georgia. Numerous snakes; guana, N. Holland lizard; skin of a snake twenty-six feet long; a neat collection of shells, corals and madrepores; the lizard of Georgia, some anatomical preparations, and numerous articles preserved in spirits.

The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts,

Was founded in the year 1805, by the voluntary association and contributions of a number of gentlemen of the city of Philadelphia. It was soon after

incorporated by the legislature. The object of this institution is to improve and refine the public taste in works of art, and to cultivate and encourage our native genius, by providing elegant and approved specimens of the arts for imitation, and schools for instruction. An appropriate building was erected in Chesnut street, between Eleventh and Twelfth streets, and a large building has lately been added to that first erected, for the exhibition of paintings, and the accommodation of the necessary schools, drawing rooms;, &c.

i

DESCRIPTION OF THE BUILDING.

"The character of the exterior architecture is modern Ionic. The front elevation consists of a marble basement, four feet high, with a large flight of steps, to a recessed porch eighteen feet front on the front line, and ten feet deep: the remainder of the elevation consists of a high principal story, and an attic with cornice, parapet, freize, and neck moulding. The interior consists of a principal room, two committee rooms, three chambers, and complete cellars under the whole. The principal room is forty-six feet diameter, and eighteen feet high, to the springing of the ceiling, which is a dome, having the sole light from the centre; the ceiling is plain, except a radii of lights in stucco, around the opening, and semi-circular architraves, with reversed mouldings at the springing. The sides consist of eight tall pedestals, alternating with an equal number of recesses, which open to stairways, or intended additional rooms: these recesses also consist of a principal and attic pannels or openings: over these are arches, whose saffits obtrude into the dome, the effect of which is novel."*

* Port Folio, June, 1809,

In the hall of statuary, the academy now has a fine collection of casts and busts from the most celebrated works of antiquity, consisting of about twenty-five statues and a much greater number of busts. The painting gallery is adorned with the two celebrated pictures of West, "Lear in the Storm," and "Ophelia in her madness," the property of Robert Fulton, esq. besides many other valuable pictures of ancient

and modern masters.

The first annual exhibition of the academy, in conjunction with the society of artists, was made in May last (1811) and consisted of above five hundred productions of the fine arts, displayed with great effect and taste; the public encouragement of this first effort of this sort in this country, exceeded the most sanguine expectation. Two addresses have been made by the president, to the society; and in November last, (1810) the first annual discourse* was delivered by Mr. Hopkinson to a very brilliant and crowded audience; which proves the interest our citizens take in this infant institution. After the discourse the honours of the academy, &c. were conferred upon several artists.

President-George Clymer.

Directors-William Tilghman, P. F. Glentworth, William Meredith, Joseph Hopkinson, William Rush, Samuel F. Bradford, Zaccheus Collins, James Gibson, Charles J. Wister, William Poyntell, Reeve Lewis, Rembrandt Peale.

Society of Artists.

In the year 1810, "the Society of Artists of the United States," was formed: the immediate objects of which are stated to be " to teach the elementary

* For sale by Bradford and Inskeep.

principles of the arts: to encourage emulation by a comparison and communication of ideas: to correct and improve the public taste by stated exhibitions, and to raise a fund for the relief of such members as may be rendered incapable of following their respective professions; or in case of their death, to make some provision for their families.

To carry these objects into effect, it is in the first instance, proposed to select proper persons to teach the first elements of the arts, and to establish a school for drawing, in all its various branches; and an annual exhibition of the works of art,"* foreign and domestic.

The President of the United States, at the request of the society, has become the patron of the institution.

Not long after its formation, a union was effected between the Society of Artists and the Academy, and in May last their first exhibition took place, as already stated, and continued for six weeks.

On the 8th of May, Mr. Latrobe delivered the first annual address before the Society of Artists.

Public Buildings-Old Court House, in Second street.

This plain, ancient structure deserves notice on many accounts. It was erected in the year 1709, in the infancy of the capital, when within a square of it, the stately tenants of the forest still remained.. In this building, Hamilton, Growden, Ross, Galloway, Chew, Dickinson and Willson, commenced their career, as lawyers; and Kinsey and Allen dispensed justice from the bench. The celebrated George Whitfield too, delivered his eloquent discourses

* Constitution of the Society of Artists. For sale by Bradford and Inskeep.