him in their defects. With the nicest discrimination he has drawn the delicate line between them; and exemplifies by his own performances, that a statue may possess all the simplicity which is the characteristic of the best antiques, without falling into those stiffnesses and unnatural peculiarities which some mistake for perfections. His professional engagements at present are numerous: but his work of the greatest promise, is a colossal statue of John the Baptist. It is about fifteen feet high; is to be cast in bronze; and placed, with many others executedby the same hand, on the exterior of the new metropolitan church. The design possesses all the divine majesty and power of action so eminently conspicuous in the character of the great prophet. Indeed I look on every work of this distinguished artist, with growing admiration: and I must say that, distinguished as similar talents are in England, we have not in that country a superior sculptor to Mr. Martauze.

While I am on this subject, I will present you at the Taurida palace; not to emperors and princes, but to some of the finest specimens of antiquity which have been preserved. This noble mansion was once the residence of the magnificent Potemkin; and in it he gave that entertainment to his imperial mistress, so celebrated for costliness and eastern grandeur.

The statues are now its most attractive ornament. And a most invaluable one is that of a Venus, given to Peter the great by the then coeval pope. The Medicean Venus, the standard of perfection in female form, does not, in many points (if I dare make the assertion!) surpass this of the Taurida. The attitude of both is similar; but that of the one I am now studying, possesses the most grateful tournure imaginable, united with a symmetry of form, and majesty of mien not to be described: and with all this, there is a lightness, a breathing action throughout the figure which the de Medici never knew. That, also glorious, proof of human genius, seems in a fixed,' and rather painful position; particularly when viewing it in profile: and likewise impresses you with a heavy tout ensemble in the lower extremities. The Tauridean Venus has here the advantage: her legs and feet are exquisitely proportioned; so much elegance, such delicacy and soft flow of line, so much

refined and natural beauty, I never before gazed upon. The body is that of the most perfect outline of a lovely woman: its gradual stealing undulations, impart such enchantment to the eye in dwelling on its form, that it is only the want of colour which dissolves the illusion, and reminds you that it does not exist. So far it excels the Venus de Medici; and as a whole is certainly the most pleasing: but there are parts where that "beauteous statue" again gains her ascendency. The head and neck of the Tauridean are evidently too small; and yet the same inimitable grace which charms in the figure pervades these also. The original arms are lost; and those substituted in their stead are so vile, that it is a disgrace to the palace in which the statue stands; and, as long as they are endured, a memento of the infamy of the artist who had the impudence so wretchedly to attempt their restoration. The effect is so bad, from their enormous disproportion, that many might pass this beautiful specimen of antiquity as a thing unworthy of notice. I measured the height of both Venuses, and found the Tauridean was taller than the Medicean by two inches. Do not fancy from this comparison, that the Venus which has been se long the object of our joint admiration, is fallen in my esteem. Far from it: I do not think her less beautiful, though I may consider her rival as more so. And yet I am not presuming enough to guide your taste on this subject; or, indeed, that of any other person. But perhaps it will be a support to my opinion, when I tell you that Mr. Martauze, the justly celebrated Russian sculptor, regards this statue with an admiration equally enthusiastic as my own. However, your eyes shall be your judge; as I intend to bring a cast of it to England, and present it as a mark of my respect to the Royal Academy at Somerset House. It will be an acquisition to the student, and a great ornament to the antique school. The preservation of the original is not good: the marble is discoloured, and partially worn by time. The head has also suffered; but not sufficient materially to injure the loveliness and divine expression which reigns throughout.

* The circumstances under which the author left Russia, obliged him to leave this cast with others at St. Petersburgh.

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The next relic of antiquity to which I would call your attention, is a colossal head of Achilles. It is heroically grand; possessing all the godlike qualities and manly beauties attributed to him by Homer. Nay, it even surpasses the idea of that immortal poet; for when we look on the heavenly greatness of this countenance, we deem it impossible that the mind which informed it, could be wrought to such a hurry of revenge. and its brutal execution, as was wreaked upon the body of the brave and lifeless Hector. It wears a splendid casque with a high and superb crest. This bust is now removed, and placed in the Hermitage. I know not whether they have a cast of it in England; but at all events I shall bring one with the other of the Venus.

The second ornament of the Taurida palace is a figure of Hercules, holding a club in his left hand, and the Hesperian fruit in his right. The head and body, as well as the right thigh, are perfect; and the rest admirably restored. It differs totally from the Farnese god; and though not above seven feet high, what remains of the original, proves it to have been the work of the most glorious era of Greece. The head is crowned with a wreath; perhaps a branch from the Hesperian tree, as an additional badge of his victory.

As you read this account of the classic treasures of Russia, you will perhaps fancy, that if I improve by such models, as much as I blame those who do not, I shall return to England a modern Apelles! We need not be ashamed of the ambition that points at excellence; hence I avow mine, and assure you that with me, such advantages shall not be cast on a barren soil. At present, I have drawn more fire than frost from this northern atmosphere; and I hope my pencil will discover it to your eyes, when we meet.

The vast apartment in which the relics I have just described are placed, is well pourtrayed by Carr; and his little sketch. gives a just idea of its appearance.

Before you enter the hall, or gallery of the palace, you pass through a saloon of great magnitude, which is supported by immense white pillars, and ornamented with ancient candalabrums, sarcophaguses, busts, vases, and other decorations of

the classic ages. With these admirable specimens of departed genius, are mingled the monstrous associates of modern illfashioned cupids, negroes, fantastic heads, and hideous whirli gigged pedestals of fifty-coloured marbles. My disgust at this sight, can only be compared to your sensations, should a group of asses burst in with their horrid brayings, amidst the soulentrancing sounds of spheric harmony.

On leaving this enormous vestibule, the hall opens at once upon the eye, and excites an emotion which must be felt to be imagined; to describe it is beyond my powers. I had not an opportunity of measuring this apparently measureless place, and therefore will not pretend to guess at its dimensions. A double range of Ionic columns, rise like a forest on either side; and when you look up to their capitals, the height is so great as almost to pain the eye. But there, the sublimity of this gigantic chamber ceases. A poverty-stricken, flat ceiling, with little insignificant urns in a squeezed shape, finish most abruptly, what might otherwise have been perfection. Had it been arched, the effect would have been unequalled in Europe. Between the pillars are placed statues; most of them modern and of indifferent merit. Some fine imitations of the Barbarinii and other celebrated vases, are mixed with them; and at each end of the gallery, at some distance from the wall, are two excellent copies of the Laocoon and Cleopatra.

Through the long avenue of columns, is opened to your view a most delightful scene. A spot dedicated to perpetual summer. Here all the sweets of Arabia, mingling with European taste, woo the senses to an exhaustless banquet. In this garden, the frigid airs of winter never breathe: all is warmth and balmy softness. Trees, fruits, and flowers, fill up the fragrant assemblage, and court you into walks winding through many a luxuriant maze of oranges, myrtles, and clustering vines. Whilst straying in so delicious an atmosphere, and surrounded by the foliage of a hundred groves, flowers springing at your feet, and scenting a perfume which takes the captive soul and laps it in Elysium, how are the senses dissolved! It seems the power of enchantment; as if we were lost in Armida's garden, and there forgot every thing but pleasure and repose. On emerging from

this earthly paradise, like leaves of the sensitive plant, the feelings are driven back upon themselves. For a few moments you cannot guess the cause: but looking round, the pale face of winter and its bleak attendants, lifeless trees, and drifting snows, soon explain the mystery, and account for the surprise.

During the short summer of this country, the pleasuregrounds which surround the palace, wear a very charming ap pearance. They are laid out in the English style; having extensive shrubberies, romantic walks, rustic retreats, hothouses and conservatories, as well as every other feature in a British garden. For these beauties, the imperial family are indebted to the taste and exertions of Mr. Gould, an Englishman, who has long resided in St. Petersburgh; and who plans and superintends all its most distinguished works of this nature. He is the Repton of Russia. His true English honesty, excellent heart, and hospitality, claim the esteem of all ranks; and add a still firmer decision to that respect for the British character already awarded to it by the generous admiration of the Russian empire. Here, the word of an Englishman is held as sacred as the bond of any other foreigner: and the veneration which the people pay to the nation at large, is most emphatically proved by the friendship they evince to every subject of Britain who lands on their shores. Cold I may have felt this country, but never the hearts of its inhabitants to your affectionate friend.

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