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Literary Notices.

Just Published.

The Old English Drama, number 4, containing Heywood's Rape of Lucrece, a Tragedy. 8vo. 2s. 6d.-fine paper, 4s.

The Retrospective Review, number 19. 5s. North's Discourse on the Laws of England, with Notes, Life, and Portrait. Small 8vo. Price 6s. 6d.

Epistola Quinti Horatii Flacci ad Pisones; sive De Arte Poetica Liber. Edidit T. B. Aylmer. 8vo. Pret. 7s.

Lord Byron's Works, viewed in connexion with Christianity, and the obligations of Social Life. By the Rev. John Styles, D.D.

Views in London and its Environs, comprising the most interesting scenes in and about the Metropolis. One number will regularly appear every fourth month, price in royal quarto, 7s. 6d.-imperial quarto, proofs on French paper, 10s. 6d.-proofs on India paper, 14s. and the etchings with proofs on India paper, (of which only 25 copies will be printed) 24s. each number.

Leuella, a Poetical Tale, and Miscellaneous Poems. By Richard Mathews. One vol. 12mo. 3s. 6d. boards.

An Abstract of the Gracious Dealings of God with several Eminent Christians in their Conversion and Sufferings, taken from autbentic manuscripts. By Samuel James, M.A. Ninth edition, with considerable additions, and Memoirs of the Author. By his son, Isaac James. One vol. 8vo. 5s. bds.

Early Piety exemplified, in a Brief Memoir of Miss Mary Ann Mabbs, of Mountnessing, near Billericay, Essex. By the Rev. I. Thornton. 18mo. 1s.

Massillon's Thoughts on different Moral and Religious Subjects; translated from the French. By Rutton Morris, English Minister at St. Pierre and Calais. One vol. 12mo. 5s. boards.

Forest Musings, or Delineations of Christian Experience, in verse; with sketches of the Early Life of the Author. By Joshua Marsden. 12mo. 4s. 6d.

The Last Military Operations of General Riego. By George Matthewes.

Observations and Reflections on Various Subjects, Moral and Religious. By a Youth. The Gypsies, a Narrative. In three parts. By a Clergyman of the Church of England.

A Guide for Young Disciples to the Holy Saviour, &c. By J. G. Pike. 12mo. 4s. 6d. Persuasions to Early Piety. By J. G. Pike. 12mo. 3s. 6d.

Tales from Afar. By a Clergyman. 12mo. 4s. 6d.

Letters in Rhyme, from a Mother to her Children. 12mo. 2s.

Theodore, or the Gamester's Progress, a Poetical Tale. 12mo. 3s.

A Letter from Robert Haldane, Esq. to the Pastor and Professor of Divinity at Geneva. 12mo. 3s. 6d.

The Deserted City, Eva, Electricity, &c. Poems. By J. Bounden.

In the Press, &c.

Speedily will be published, Rothelan, a Tale of the English Histories. In 3 vols. 12mo. By the Author of "Ringan Gilhaize," "The Spaewife," &c.

A New Series of Religious Tracts, is in a course of publication, entitled the Sabbath Remembrancer. By the Rev. Alexander Fletcher.

Nearly ready, in one volume, post 8vo. A Practical Guide to English Composition, or a comprehensive System of English Grammar, Criticism, and Logic; arranged and illustrated upon a new and improved Plan; containing apposite Principles, Rules, and Examples, for writing correctly and elegantly on every subject; adapted to the use of Schools and of Private Students. By the Rev. Peter Smith, A. M.

In a few weeks will be published, 8vo. Mathematical Tables; containing improved Tables of Logarithms of Numbers, Logarithmic Sines, Tangents, and Secants, together with a number of others, useful in Practical Mathematics, Astronomy, Navigation, Engineering, and Business; preceded by a copious Introduction, embracing their Explanation, and Rules and Formula for their application, with a Collection of appropriate Exercises. By William Galbraith, A.M. Lecturer on Mathematics, Edinburgh.

A Stereotype Edition of Sallust, for the use of Schools, with English Notes at the foot of the page, and a Historical and Geographical Index at the end of the volume. By Mr. Dymock, Glasgow, will be published in a few days.

Preparing for publication, A Guide to the Lord's Table, in the Catechetical Form; to which are added, An Address to Applicants for Admission to it, and some Meditations to assist their Devotions. By the Rev. Henry Belfrage, D.D.

Nearly ready, in post 8vo. A Second Series of the Scrap Book. By John McDiarmid.

Mr. John Malcolm, late of the 42d Regiment, has nearly ready for publication, a volume of Poems, in foolscap 8vo. entitled “The Buccaneer and other Poems."

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Shortly will be published, in post 8vo. The Life and Administration of Cardinal Wolsey. By John Galt, Esq. Third edition, greatly improved.

In a few days will be published, in one vol. The Poetical Note Book, and Epigrammatic Museum. Containing upwards of One Thousand Choice Epigrams, Fanciful Inscriptions, and Poetical Morceaux. Selected from the most approved sources. By G. Wentworth, Esq.

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LONDON: PRINTED AT THE CAXTON PRESS, BY H. FISHER.

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MEMOIR OF THE LATE CELEBRATED | tracing him from seminary to seminaENGRAVER, MR. WILLIAM SHARP.

(With a Portrait.)

WHEN an individual dies, who has rendered himself conspicuous by his talents, whether in the cultivation of letters, by scientific researches, or an improvement of the arts, there is a tribute of respect due to his memory, which survivors cannot withhold without incurring the charge of ingratitude. The posthumous honours which are paid to departed genius, cannot affect the dead; but they operate with considerable force on the minds of the living, and stimulate them to carry their garlands to the temple of fame, where others are suspended that have already gained the admiration of mankind. In this venerable and consecrated spot, the nobleman and the peasant sit side by side. Here wealth ceases to glitter, and loses all its power; for worth and merit, not coronets and titles, can alone secure unfading laurels.

Among those who are still toiling up the steep ascent, we have arrested the countenances of many distinguished individuals, and in this list the names of Tilloch, Lee, Scoresby, Davy, Clarke, and Gregory, ought not to be forgotten. Of Banks, Watt, West, Rennie, Buchanan, Brindley, Hutton, Jenner, Herschel, and Belzoni, we have also given portraits, and accompanied them with some memorials of these celebrated men. To these we must now add the name of Mr. WILLIAM SHARP, whose talents as an engraver have been long acknowledged, not only among the artisans of his native country, but by men of science in various parts of Europe.

Mr. William Sharp was born about the year 1749. His father was a man of respectability, by trade a gun-maker, and lived in Haydon-yard, in the Minories, London. It was not the lot of his son to receive much education; we have therefore no opportunity of No. 69.-VOL. VI.

ry, or of enumerating his associates in colleges, or rivals in the acquirement of academical honours. But although of these advantages Mr. William Sharp can make no boast, it was his lot to possess what is far more valuable, an instinctive genius, that lifted him into notice "in spite of fortune's load."

At an early age he evinced a strong predilection for drawing. This was soon followed by an attachment to engraving; and the first effort of his skill, according to his own account, was made on a pewter pot. As he advanced in fame, some of his friends, whose vanity exceeded their wisdom, endeavoured to substitute a silver tankard in the room of the pewter pot; but Mr. Sharp would never concur in this act of meanness, which would lead him to exchange a sterling fact for jeweller's silver.

His attachment to this art being somewhat fixed, he was put an apprentice to a Mr. Longmate, an engraver of much respectability, who resided near the Royal Exchange. At the expiration of his contract, he continued for some time in the employment of his former master, but on being married, he commenced business on his own account, and opened a shop as a writing engraver in Bartholomew-lane, where he was soon known, and, being greatly encouraged, long resided. Among the early displays of his skill and taste was a shop-card, which he arranged and engraved for himself. This gained him many admirers, and many friends. It is still extant, and by competent judges it has been pronounced, both in taste, elegance, and execution, even superior to that of Hogarth, which long stood unrivalled in excellence, and has been highly prized by the collectors of graphic curiosities.

Having established his reputation in Bartholomew-lane, about the year 1782 he disposed of his house, and removed to the vicinity of Vauxhall, 3 D

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his other works; and next to this stood his "St. Cecilia," which is the portrait of a fine woman expressing in her countenance the strong emanations of a remarkably intelligent mind, Of the excellencies found in his engraving of Hunter, he was not insensible; its claim to superiority he con

where he began to engrave from the superior paintings of the old masters; and in this daring effort, his success was not less than that with which his skill had been crowned, in his former attempts. The Novelists' Magazine, which was at this time published by Harrison, in Paternoster-row, was much celebrated for the superior ex-ceived to consist in the happy mancellence of its plates, many of which were executed by Mr. Sharp, from designs by Stothard. The celebrity of these engravings soon awakened an amiable rivalry, which, from that period to the present, has regularly advanced the graphic art to that state of perfection, which has long distinguished many works of the British press. "Moses striking the Rock," in Southwell's folio Family Bible, was engraved by Mr. Sharp.

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ner in which he had been enabled to express the idea of thought in the forehead of that distinguished anatomist. But none of these could bear competition with his "Doctors disputing." This engraving, he con ceived, would hereafter be considered of great value, from the fine effect which he had contrived to draw from the numerous and varied characters that were comprehended in the group. He has been often heard to say, that this engraving was executed when he was in the prime of life, and easy in his circumstances, nor did he ever expect to produce again such a combination of excellencies.

Among the finest of his works, "The Doctors of the Church disputing upon the Immaculateness of the Virgin," deserves particular notice. It is from a picture by Guido, and is superior to the plate from the same picture by Another of his works, possessing Chevalier Dorigny. Of line engrav- intrinsic excellence of the highest oring, the plate from West's " King der, was that of "The Holy Family," Lear in a Storm," is a masterly ex- from a picture painted for the Histoample. A proof-impression of this ric Gallery, by Sir Joshua Reynolds. plate has long produced ten guineas. This engraving he was induced to The portrait of Mr. John Hunter, the undertake at the request of the progreat anatomist, is said to be one of prietor of the gallery; and the work the finest prints in the world. The which he produced has been consipainting was by Sir Joshua Reynolds, dered inimitable for its light, shade, whose original feeling no line engraver and brilliancy, and all the higher atwas ever more successful in copying. tributes of the art. One hundred Lavater, on being shewn this portrait proofs were taken from this plate, of Hunter, exclaimed, in reference to which will long be preserved as a the celebrated anatomist, "This man monument of his genius. But after thinks for himself." "The Witch of these, and a few other impressions had Endor," from the impressive pencil been taken off, Bartolozzi undertook of West, is another monument of Mr. to improve it, at the suggestion of Sharp's graphic powers; and the mag- Macklin. In doing this, he nearly nificent print of "St. Cecilia," from obliterated all the primitive lines, and Dominichino, stands without a rival converted it into a mere dotted enfor its boldness, and inimitable ef- graving. In addition to this, Bartofects. "A Sortie from the Rock of lozzi had the presumption to alter the Gibraltar," has been much admired heads by Sir Joshua Reynolds, subfor its exquisite workmanship; but stituting the feeble and insipid gusto this, in his own estimation, sustained of his own fancy, for the originality no very elevated rank, on account of and energy of this great painter's its subject, the artist having an aver-conception. By this unhappy mutision to scenes of carnage; and he is said to have often regretted, that it had not been invariably his lot, to employ his talents exclusively on sub-fortunately taken off when it came jects of a peaceful nature.

To his "Doctors disputing upon the Immaculateness of the Virgin," he gave the decided preference over all

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lation, the primitive beauty of this plate is lost to the world; and it is only in the few impressions that were

from the hands of the artist, that its original perfection can now be discovered.

It has been said of Goldsmith, that

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