and drink, the common Neapolitans, they have occafion to addrefs the goand indeed all Italians, are very tem- vernment. He prefents himself, on perate. They would rather forego the thefe occafions, to the Eletto del Popolo, conveniencies of life than earn them by a popular magistrate, or tribune of the labour. This appears to be natural. people, as far as fuch a one can exist In a hot country, what can vie with under an unlimited monarch. Somereft in the fhade? The repeated aftonifh- times he applies to the king in perfon. ment of travellers at the indolence of The claims of the Lazaroni are modethis people favours of a fuperficial, if rate. They have an internal fense of not of an ill-tempered obferver. That right and wrong, which the multitude the confequences of indolence may be feldom wants when left to itself. It corruption, may, perhaps, be true; but would be dangerous to flight a just rethat the man, who, in order to procure prefentation from this quarter, or to himself some artificial conveniencies of refuse their demands without affigning life, works feveral hours the longer, a reafon. They love the prefent King, fhould be preferable to another who and would, I am affured, in cafe of fatisfies the most natural of all taftes, need, lend him the fupport of their the love of repofe in the heat, is what arms: but he has no fuch preffure to I cannot discover. Whatever the Nea- fear. politan wants is thrown into his lap by Laft year, before the king fet off on the bounty of nature, almost without his journey to Germany, Nicolo Sabhis ftirring a finger. Moderate in eat- bato, the prefent chief of the Lazaroni, ing and drinking, needing few clothes addreffed him to this effect: He la and no fuel, he scarcely covets a house. mented that the King should be about to The number of Lazaroni (fans cullottes leave his people for a time, but saw no or blackguards,) who fleep in the open reason to object to a tour, which had air, and, in bad weather, under a por- for its end the amusement of a monarch, tico or a penthoufe, is faid to amount who willingly faw his people made glad. to forty thousand. They do not will- "We are," faid he, " thirty thousand ingly undertake any work while they of us, who meanwhile will watch over have a halfpenny left. For to-morrow the tranquillity of the land. You have they take no thought. The fame mild certainly nothing to apprehend: but, fky, which here fertilizes the lap of the fhould any one have the rafhnefs to beever-teeming and ever-fuckling earth, tray rebellious defigns, we have sworn beftows alfo a chearful fpirit. A light to tear him into as many pieces as weblood flows in their veins, and they are perfons, and we will each smoke a Propose to fuch men a mammock of him in our pipes." Dujobb, when they are not preffed by want, ring the King's abfence, this Nicolo they whisk the back of the hand across Sabbato used to call on the Princes and the chin, and throw back the head in Princeffes, in order, as he faid, to have fign of rejection, too lazy even to speak. news of the King's welfare to carry to If any thing ftimulates them, (I do not his people. He alfo frequently called mean their paffions, which, like straw upon the prime minifter Acton. Once fires, blaze up and extinguish, but fome he went to him in a great ferment, and feebler motive,) no men are more lo- required an audience: I have feen," quacious or gefticulative. These peo- faid he," a man clad as a pilgrim in ple have wives and children. There the market-place, who diftributes French is a man among them, of confiderable hand-bills, which I and my fellows do influence, whom they call Capo degli not understand; and who offers a stone. Lazaroni, chief of the Lazaroni. He to be kiffed, which is a remnant of the goes barefoot, and in tatters like the Baftile. No doubt he means to excite others. He is their spokesman, when infurrection, We were about toffing know no care. him into the fea; but I chose to hear received law of nations, his life was forfeited: but the government was contented to banished him to the island of Maritima, off the western coast of Sicily. your opinion first: it will be right, won't it, to fling him into the fea?"-The minifter had fome difficulty in convincing him that examinations would first be neceffary. He persisted in the propriety of hurling the infurgent into the fea. When the minifter faid, that he would fend foldiers to conduct the man to prifon, Sabbato anfwered, "That I take upon myself," and, in fact, the foreigner was led to gaol by Lazaroni. The hand-bills were full of incendiary matter; and the diftributor of them was one of thofe miflionaries whom the overweening zeal of the French clubs fent out to enlighten, to ameliorate, to blefs the nations he had affumed the difguife of a pilgrim. According to the PRESENT STATE OF IT was long the fate of this country to admire the Arts rather than to cultivate them. At an enormous expence we imported the productions of foreign Sculptors, foreign Painters, and foreign Engravers, without feeming to confider that the only way to encourage the Arts in this country, was to raise an English fchool for their advancement. This has at length been done, and a few spirited individuals have projected, and in these times of difficulty and danger they have perfected, fuch plans, as in other countries, and more peaceable periods, were deemed too mighty for the grafp of Princes. As firft in time, and in the object of its establishment, the scenes of the greateft poet of any age, delineated by the beft painters of this, The Shakespeare Gallery claims the first notice. This grand and national tribute to the memory of our great Bard, has brought into practice and into notice much merit, which without it might have lain dormant, and been unknown to the world, and perhaps to the Artist himfelf. Great occafions call forth great talents, and the very name of Shakespeare kindles the fpark of enthufiafim in the bofom of a Briton. To the present fovereign the Lazaroni are much attached. A troop of many thousands, who have nothing to lofe, may be very formidable; may keep a tyrannic prince in wholesome awe. A defpotic conftitution needs fuch an antidote to counterpoise the danger of its blind force, by a force equally blind but a free constitution requires order; for freedom can be found in order only. In a nation truly free, there are no attroopents of houseless Lazaroni, as at Naples; nor of Megara-like fifhwomen, as at Paris. From Count Stolberg's Travels. THE FINE ARTS. The Poets Gallery, in Fleet-ftreet, which has been a fhort time clofed for the arrangement of the paintings, &c. &c. was about the middle of last month again opened for the infpection of the Subscribers and the Public, with the addition of fix new and very capital pictures by Loutherbourg, Opie, and Northcote. Of the fpirit which the proprietor has exerted in the profecution of this great and arduous undertaking, and of the talents which the Artists who have painted the pictures have displayed in their different productions, much might be faid; but as the whole collection is open to the Public, and arranged in fuch a stile as renders it the most picturesque exhibition we ever faw, the Public will judge for themselves. It completely refutes the abfurd and nonfenfical cant of thofe vifionary writers who have dogmatically pronounced the air of this country unpropitious to the cultivation of the Fine Arts. Neither the air nor the foil are unfit for ripening the feeds of Genius, which are scattered, abundantly fcattered, in every province of Great Britain; but until very lately they fel dom experienced the fostering dew of encouragement; the want of that, and that brord dick only. only, has hitherto retarded their growth. But now From climes where Slav'ry's iron chain From the pictures in these two great National Repofitories of Genius, many of our first artists have engraved prints that do great honour both to themselves and their country. As they are before the Public, it is not neceffary to enu merate them. To fhew our fuperiority in this branch of the Arts, it is only neceffary to compare the productions of England with thofe of any other country. The print of The Death of Major Peirfon which has been fo long delayed, is now published, and comes in the very first class; which indeed it ought, for the whole, including the picture, &c. has cost the proprietors five thoufand pounds! an expence unparalleled in the history of engraving. Mr Browne has finished, and Meffrs Boydell have publifhed, the largelt landfcape ever engraved in this kingdom, from a capital picture by Booth. Two of the prints engraving by Ear Jom, from Hogarth's inimitable feries of The Marriage à-la Mode, are nearly ready for delivery; and a copy of a print, perhaps the most fingular ever de figned by that great artift, and which, to collectors and admirers of his works, must prove highly interefting, was publifhed last month. It is entitled Enthufiafm Delineated, and difplays the powers of Hogarth in a new point of view. The hiftory of the original print is rather curious. While the original engraving was in this early ftate, there were only two impreffions taken from the plate. Under one of them is the following infcription, in the hand-writing of the artift: The intention of this Print is to give a lineal reprefentation of the ftrange effects of literal and low conceptions of Sacred Beings, as alfo of the idolatrous tendency of Pictures in churches, Prints in religious books, &c. Humbly dedicated to his Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury, by William Hogarth.' It is probable, that fome friend, to whom the Artift fhewed this production, fuggefted to him, that the object of his fatire might be mistaken, and it would be fuppofed he was ridiculing the realities, inftead of the abfurd reprefentations delineated by ancient painters; his own mind might change; or he might act from reafons which cannot now be developed. Be that as it may, he entirely changed the print, erafed, or effentially altered, every figure except two, and on the fame piece of copper engraved the plate of The Medley, now in the poffeffion of Meffrs Boydell. One of the original prints has been left at the Shakespeare Gallery, (that those who chufe it may compare it in the firft and fecond flate) by Mr John Ireland, who had it from Mrs Lewis, the executrix to Hogarth's widow. LETTERS which paffed between CHARLES WALLER, Chaplain to OLIVER CROMWELL, and FRANCES, one of the PROTECTOR's favourite Daughters. LETTER II. who has once confeffed his error, ac From Charles Waller to Frances Crom- quires boldness from it; or that despe moto wewell. ration gives a courage unknown to nature, I know not; but although I have WHETHER it be, that a man, offended you beyond the poflibility of for forgiveness, I cannot help aggravating your difpleasure by another mark of my rafhnefs and folly. ed to get over it by entering into our ufual chat; but I could not make so fudden a transition from apprehenfion to tranquillity; and he left me in the most agonizing doubt. Your filence has plunged me into a ftate of torture, not to be conceived but by a demon. I am confident my letter I had almoft prevailed upon myself came to your hands; for I am convinced of the faithfulness of the perfon who delivered it: yet fufpenfe rends my heart ten thousand different ways; and I am really loft with fear, mifery, and terror. 1. Sometimes I fuppofe that, upon receiving my billet, you inftantly unfolded its contents to your father, who, fhocked at fuch an inftance of ingratitude, hefitates in what manner he fhall punish me in proportion to my offence; and yet I wonder the effects of his wrath have not overtaken me. At other times, I conceive my punishment is delayed merely to make it the more tremendous. When called to do the duties of my function before the Protector, I fcarcely know what I do. Now I acquire greater courage, and venture to fcrutinize his looks, and watch every motion of his eye with the moft painful folicitude; but this I too well know is vain. His looks never betray the fecret of his heart; and his councils can be compared to nothing but the ftillness before a ftorm, and his execution to the inftantaneous effects of a thunder-bolt, always happening when leaft expected. to have fufficient fortitude to speak to you yesterday in the great chamber, when we were for a moment left alone by our attendants; but my voice died away upon my tongue. You witneffed my diftrefs, and faw my fufferings;learn to pity and forgive them. I do not hope for any thing but pity; justice I know must condemn me; yet recollect, that though justice may thine in all the fevere pomp of majesty, that mercy, in whatever garb it may be beheld, never fails to captivate the good. O! torture me not thus: indeed, indeed, were I to attempt to paint my fufferings, you would think me guilty of exaggeration. A certainty of evil is a trifle, compared to the horrors of doubt. Deign to write met but one line to exprefs your disapprobation of my conduct, and fay that you do not defpife me, and I will defcend to the cold manfion of peace, while my dying breath fhall murmur a bleffing on your name. I can endure your reproaches, let them be ever fo keenbut do not hold me in contempt :-the firft will, indeed, confirm my wretchednefs; but the latter will roufe me to madness. When alones in my rooms, I am a Let not my memory be ever hateful prey to the most difmal apprehenfion, to you if I fay I should not have betrayever expecting I know not what. Now ed myfelf, had I not conceived I was I imagine the angry Protector entering not indifferent to you. 1. - my apartment, and fealing my mifery My intellects are certainly impaired. by fome terrible vengeance, and tremble. Heaven knows what I may ejaculate. when I hear a footstep croffing the gal--O! for the fake of mercy, put can lery. This very morning, as I was end to my fufpenfe, left I should betray walking with my eyes fixed upon the both you and myself. Save me andoo ground, your father called me unex- yourself from fuch a terrible discoverysh pectedly Had the earth yawned be- I may rave; for my brains is on firety. fore my feet, I could not have fhewn I do not hopes all Lak for is cer greater furprife and difmay. Scarcely tainty.. could I mufter up refolution to answer What fhall I fay? In what language i him in the tremulous tone I did. He fhall I implore you to fatisfy me? Alas! took notice of my confufion. Lattempt I am compelled to ufe repetitions. Write-O write but one word, and I have faid to a return of affection. I may the Father of all charity reward you for it. LETTER III. From Frances Cromwell to Charles Waller. YOU have alarmed me beyond meafure by your last letter: indeed the agitation into which it threw me was fo great, that I have not yet recovered it; nor do I perfectly know what I am now writing, fuch is the hurry of my spirits. I am confcious I ought not to have anfwered either of your letters; but I choose to do fo for two reafons :-firft, because I think it a question of humanity, to ask you from what action of mine, you first thought I could return your paffion; for this you feem to hint atAnd I entreat you to anfwer me candidly for by doing fo, you may, perhaps, not only clear up a mystery to me at prefent; but also, when you find it was a trifle from which no poffible inference could be drawn, except by a person who wished to be deceived, you may be enabled the better to combat with your love, fince you find that it was never returned. Write me, then, the circumftance that hath caufed fuch a misfortune to you, and which has been the fource of fuch terror to me. I cannot help requesting you to gratify my curiofity thus far; although I am well acquainted with the dangers of fuch a correfpondence. My fecond motive is this, your faying you were just going to fpeak to me in the great chamber. My God! how could fuch an idea enter into your imagination? Sure fome malicious demon must have inspired you to do an action, likely to be attended with fuch tremendous confequences to us both! You fay you love me :-have, then, at least, the difcretion and charity not to utterly destroy me. would wish, however, to relieve you, LETTER IV. From Charles Waller to Frances Crom well. 1 AM ignorant in what terms to exprefs my gratitude for your kindness, in taking notice of my request. Your letter brought me fo much confolation, that I have now calmness enough to appear with fome degree of compofure in doing my duty; yet have you impofed a talk upon me that I would willingly have avoided. Indeed I hoped to carry the fecret, you demand, buried in my bofom, till 1 had been in no conI have not had a moment's relaxa- dition to have uttered it :-but as you tion from fear, fince I perufed your have made the request, I cannot, withletten: let not defperation carry you fo out ingratitude, withhold a relation, far as to make fuch another refolution; which may poffibly make you despise and calm the transports of your madness. me; but should any part of it appear too Be cautious not to impute any thing vain and prefumptuous, have the canVOL. LVIII. 3 I dour, |