rooms to the rooms which Mr. Beckford might occupy at the time. The rooms in which he lived in general were exceedingly small, and even low in the ceiling. In short, according to our ideas of a well-proportioned room, there never was one in the building. The finest were cubes of 22 ft. on the side.

One of the last things which Mr. Beckford did, after having sold Fonthill, and ordered horses to be put to his carriage to leave the place for ever, was to mount his pony, and ride round with his gardener, to give directions for various alterations and improvements

which he wished to have executed. On re

turning to the house, his carriage being ready, he stepped into it, and has never visited Fonthill since. Though Mr. Beckford spent immense sums of money at Fonthill (we were informed, on what we consider good authority, that the place in all cost him 1,600,0007.), it does not appear that he has at all elevated the character of the labouring classes in the neighbourhood; on the contrary, we were informed by Mr. Joy, the manager for the present proprietor, that the effect was directly the reverse. The men, in Mr. Beckford's time, were sunk past recovery in habits of drunkenness; and the consequence is, that there are now only two or three of the village labourers alive, who were then employed.

These are but a few of the numerous tales which were told us by different persons about Fonthill; and it must be recollected that we do not vouch for the truth of any of them, though we think the whole of them are very likely to be true. We admire in Mr. Beckford his vivid imagination and cultivated mind, and that good taste in landscapegardening which produced the perfect unity of character which pervades the grounds at Fonthill. We also give him full credit for his good sense in having quitted the place when he could no longer afford to keep it up, and the honourable principle he showed in never getting into debt, but paying liberal prices and ready money to the last. We must, however, enter our protest against the recklessness with which he employed his wealth to gratify his wishes, without regard to its demoralizing effects on the labouring population of his neighbourhood, effects so serious that it will take a generation to remove them. Far happier will it always be for a country gentleman to cultivate feelings of kindness and sympathy for all those that are about him, and to encourage similar feelings in them towards him, than merely to lavish money upon them. Still, it is as impossible not to admire Mr. Beckford, as it is not to admire Lord Byron, from the native grandeur of his mind, its superior cultivation, and the high aristocratic feeling which he possessed, unmixed with the slightest shade of His faults and eccentricities

meanness.

appear to have been chiefly caused by an ardent temperament, stimulated by the early possession of almost unbounded wealth, and unchecked by the restraints of reason, prudence, and human sympathy.

The Gatherer.

Ude's Plan for a Supper.-My plan for a ball is to ornament the sideboard with a

basket of fruit, instead of insignificant pieces of pastry, which are at once expensive in making, and objects of ridicule to the connoisseur. Place in their stead things that can be eaten,—such as jelly, plates of mixed pastry, and sandwiches of a superior kind; and if the founder of the feast be great and and make excellent articles, but never in too generous, avail yourself of his generosity, great profusion. The chief fault of all cooks is that they are too profuse in their prepara tions. The persons who attend a ball given by one of the nobility, are, it is to be presumed, of the same class, and have the same customs,-dining at a late hour, and are not to be tempted even by the most enticing assemblage of aspic of fowls, of lobsters, of fillet of sole, of ham, &c.-Take care not to load the sideboard with anything but dishes agreeably but simply prepared. The lovers of good cheer do not like objects which present a handled appearance. Affix a label to each plate, indicating its contents, and you will find that this arrangement will give the guests an opportunity of taking refreshments without being obliged to seat themselves at a table, from whence the ladies cannot rise without disordering their dresses, which to them is matter of fur greater moment than the best supper in the world.

fatal to the three admirals engaged in it. Trafalgar.-The battle of Trafalgar was Nelson was killed; Gravina died in consequence of his wounds; and Villeneuve, who was made prisoner, was taken to England, where he put an end to his existence.

The Tower of Nesle, at Paris, was round, very lofty, and attached to a higher tower, of smaller diameter, which contained a spiral staircase. This tower corresponded with a similar one on the opposite bank of the river, at an angle of the city wall, near the Louvre, called la Tour qui fait le coin. In times of danger, an iron chain was fixed across the Seine from the Tower of Nesle to the Tour qui fuit le coin, and closed the western entrance to the city of Paris. These towers were pulled down in the year 1661.

Rackets were not originally used in tennis: the impulse was given to the ball by the hand, whence the name of jeu de paume is derived. Afterwards a leather gauntlet was used, and about the middle of the fifteenth century rackets were introduced.

In the city of Algiers, (says Pananti,) it is as common for a man to call himself a saint, as for people amongst us to say that they are a smith, carpenter, lawyer, philosopher, or great man. And like nobility in Europe, the holiness of a Mahometan passes from father to son; where the latter is respected equally with his father, because he possesses the same privileges, dignities, and titles. W. G. C.

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Classic Trade-In Grenada are a Vale of Tempe, Corinth, and Parnassus. Shapeless masses are mistaken for temples; but the beholder is speedily informed that they are trash-houses and grinding-mills, and that the Vale of Tempe produces tolerable sugarcrops: Parnassus is remarkable for the excellence of its rum, and Corinth has fallen into the hands-neither of Persians nor Turksbut of a very promising attorney.

Perfection. When the Duchess of Albe. marle arrived at Jamaica, the Speaker of the House of Assembly thus addressed her grace: "This is an honour which the opulent kingdoms of Mexico and Peru could never arrive at; and even Columbus's ghost would be appeased for all the indignities he endured of the Spaniards, could he but know that his own beloved soil was hallowed by such footsteps."

Crocodiles.-Humboldt estimates the male crocodile to be at the age of puberty, when it is ten years old, and 8 ft. long, and he concludes that one dissected by Monsieur Bonpland, which was 22 ft. 3 in. long, must have been 28 years old.

New Fish-Scrymegour: alias Jem of the Ocean. An odd fish, described by Miller; about 121⁄2 stone; supposed to be amphibious; never swallows his native element; very voracious; spouts like a whale; destructive to turtle, and possesses electrical properties, whence American naturalists have styled him the Jem-notus of New York.

The small brown lizard of Jamaica is remarkably fond of the society of man, and its attention is strongly attracted by music. Dr. Madden was in the habit of feeding one in an arbour with crumbs of bread, which he used to place on his knee; and the little creature would descend from a branch above him, where it would remain reconnoitering him for some minutes previously, and then crawl on his knee and feed on the bread without any apprehension. The Doctor saw a brown lizard at Barbadoes in the governor's drawing-room, which, he was informed, was so docile and domesticated, as to be a regular inmate of the king's house.

Railways in Germany.-The road from Nuremberg to Furth will be opened this month; that from Dresden to Leipsic is in construction; that from Cologne to the Belgian frontier will probably be commenced

immediately. For those from Elberfeld to Roer, and from Elberfeld to Dusseldorf, subscriptions are opened. That from Minden to the Rhine is under consideration. Its importance, in a military point of view, leaves no doubt of its being shortly undertaken. It will unite the Weser with the Lippe, and will join the Rhine in two places (Dusseldorf and Deutz) opposite Cologne. That from Berlin to Potsdam is decided upon, and will serve as a model for the other railways in Germany. It will be laid by the best engineers of Berlin. For the roads from Berlin to Leipsic, from Berlin to Magdebourg, and from Magdebourg to Leipsic, subscriptions of 14,844,400 francs have been received, and they will be encouraged by the Prussian government. The projected railroad from Berlin to Stettin is favoured by the Hereditary Prince of Prussia. In Austria, two gigantic undertakings are in contemplation cia, and another from Vienna to Trieste, in -a road from Vienna to Lemberg, in Galithe Gulf of Venice. The first will have to run in a direct line, by the map, 100 Belgian leagues, of 20 to a degree, and the second, a distance of 60 leagues.-Paris Advertiser.

All the other theatres and public places of amusement in Paris contribute to support the splendour of the Opera by a tax on their gross receipts.

I wonder if this great world will ever cease to be hoaxed with the idea that the pleasures of society are in proportion to the grandeur of the scale on which they are enjoyed.— Madden.

A negro, on being asked if he was not sorry for his master's death, replied: "No, massa hab plenty of people in Eugland to be sorry for him; him no want poor nigger to be sorry for him."

Dr. Madden tells us that when the fire-fly of Jamaica is irritated, its phosphorescence is so strong, that in a dark room he was able to read some lines of a letter by holding the fly over the lines, and moving it along them.

Negro Funeral.-Dr. Madden,' when in the West Indies, one day, undertook to read the burial service over a negro, which was listened to with great attention. But when the Doctor came to the part of " dust to dust, and ashes to ashes," the negro who officiated as sexton, and was prepared with a spade of earth for the usual ceremony, interrupted him with an intimation that he had neglected to order the coffin to be put down first: "Put him in de hole first, mássa,— always put him in de hole first."

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THE PANTHEON, OXFORD-STREET. THE extensive building known as the Pantheon, (situate about one-third of a mile on the left from St. Giles's, and near Polandstreet,) was originally erected from the designs of James Wyatt, Esq. it was begun in 1768, and finished in 1771, and is described as being "regarded both by natives and foreigners, as the most elegant structure in Europe, if not on the globe." It was built for public amusements, and opened on the 27th of January, 1772, when nearly two thousand persons of rank and fashion assembled in the splendid structure, which contained fourteen rooms, exclusive of the rotunda. The latter had double colonnades, or recesses, ornamented with Grecian reliefs; and the dome contained others equally rich. In order to support the propriety of the name, Pantheon, (a temple sacred to the gods,) the architect introduced niches round the base of the dome, with statues of the heathen deities, and to complete the circle, added Britannia, and George III. and Queen Charlotte! "Such was the classic taste exhibited by the proprietors: the gods worshipped in the real Pantheon were compelled to witness a modern Pantheon dedicated to pleasures and amusements, of which Jupiter himself was ignorant when in the Court of Olympus."

During the first winter, there were at the Pantheon, assemblies only, without dancing or music, three times a week. On other days, each person paid five shillings for seeing the building only! But the saloon and rotunda, though spacious, were so crowded on all these occasions, that, in July following, it was resolved to enlarge the building. Subsequently, masquerades were given here upon a superb scale. One of the most celebrated was the grand masquerade got up by Delpini, the famous clown, in commemoration of the Prince of Wales becoming of age. The tickets were sold at three guineas each; but poor Delpini was a loser by the speculation, which occasioned him (Delpini) to tell the Prince, that another similar entertainment would send him to his "Papa's Bench." In the same year, Garrick attended a masquerade here as King of the Gipsies, a character which, according to the statement of the time, he rendered inimitable, by his spirit and humour. These entertainments, however, soon declined; for, as one of the first regulations of the proprietors was the exclusion of improper company, the choice of such a species of entertainment proved unfortunate in its pecuniary results, however honourable it might be to the conductors.

The Pantheon was next occupied for a much better purpose, when in the year 1784, it was used for the performance of part of "the Commemoration of Handel," when the King, Queen, and Royal Family, with all the

first nobility in the kingdom assembled here. After the Opera House was burnt down, in 1790, the Pantheon was converted into a theatre, and the Italian company removed here in the season of 1791. The house was, for this purpose, very small; but, here it was that one of the first bands in Europe graced the orchestra, alternately headed by Giardini, La Motte, Cramer, or Giornovichi, who, with Fischer, Crosdil, and Cervetto, produced effects in symphonies, concertos, solos, and vocal accompaniments, which had never before been heard in this country. "No person of taste, in architecture or music, (says a describer of this place,) who remembers the Pantheon, its exhibitions, its numerous, splendid, and elegant assemblies, can hear it mentioned without a sigh."

On January 14, 1792, this magnificent pile was burned to the ground. The fire originated in the painter's room, and spread so rapidly through the building, that not a single article could be saved. The brilliant light from the dried materials illuminated the western quarter of the metropolis; and, when the roof fell in, the flames rose in a lofty column, and, continuing to ascend for several minutes, formed a terrific spectacle. The value of property thus destroyed was estimated at 80,0007. Happily, the thickness and height of the walls prevented the conflagration from spreading to the contiguous houses.

Michael Kelly, in his piquant Reminiscences, thus notes this conflagration. "On the 14th of January, 1792, the Pantheon was burned. Mr. Sheridan was with me on that day. I went with him into Oxfordstreet, to view the conflagration. While Mr. Sheridan was observing how very high the flames were, he said, 'Is it possible to extinguish the flames?" An Irish fireman who was close to us, and heard him make the observation, said, 'For the love of Heaven, Mr. Sheridan, don't make yourself uneasy, sir; by the Powers, it will soon be down; sure enough, they won't have another drop of water in five minutes.' Pat said this in the natural warmth of heart, for he imagined that the burning of the Pantheon theatre must have been gratifying to Mr. Sheridan, as the proprietor of Drury-lane."

The Pantheon was afterwards rebuilt, but not in so splendid a style as the original; but the elegant front and principal entrance in Oxford-street were restored. It was then appropriated as a theatre, and for exhibitions, lectures, and musical entertainments; but with indifferent success.

Thus matters progressed until June, 1814, when a bill was brought into Parliament for granting a patent to Mr. Cundy, to enable him to open the theatre with performances in the regular drama: but, the bill was lost. The property then fell into Chancery, and there remained

until last year, when it was purchased by a partnership of four or six persons, and has, at their expense, been repaired and refitted, from the designs of Sydney Smirke, Esq., architect. The principal front in Oxford-street, (see page 185,) has been altered by the removal of the pediment. It now consists of a portico supported by eight fluted Ionic columns: above is a handsome Venetian window, and a plain attic crowns the whole. The front in Poland-street has a large Venetian window, and an ornamented doorway. The exterior has few pretensions to architectural distinction; but the interior, "in point of extent, design, convenience of arrangement, and beauty of execution united, is unequalled by any thing of the kind in London or Europe;" and by aid of a clever contemporary,* we will endeavour to give the reader some idea of its magnificence.

On entering from Oxford street, the visiter passing through a vestibule and hall, (in which are some noble specimens of sculpture,) ascends a plain and massive staircase to the picture galleries, which are lofty and lighted from the roof. Here, through a noble doorway, with scagliola pilasters, is obtained a view of the Grand Saloon, appropriated to the Bazaar. This splendid apartment is 116 feet in length, by 90 feet in width, and 60 feet in height. The coup d'œil is imposing, and brilliant in the highest degree: the "spectator" is, indeed, charmed with "the grandeur of its dimensions, the beauty of its proportions, and the lightness, elegance, gaiety, and novelty of its decorations." It is almost entirely lighted from the roof, which is semicircular, and supported along its whole length by a double row of arches springing from massive piers. The roof is ornamented in compartments, with architectural enrichments, in white relief upon pale-coloured grounds; preducing, with the flood of light admitted through the two ranges of long, curved windows in the roof, a very airy and lively effect. The sides of the piers and the soffits of the arches are adorned with beautiful arabesque scrolls, fancifully designed with flowers, fruits, and birds, and tastefully executed in colours, the brightness and variety of which are harmonized so as to heighten the effect of the architectural embellishments. This style of ornament is quite new to this country; and in this respect, the building is unique. The Loggias of the Vatican, from which the idea * The Spectator Newspaper, No. 308 and No. 327. + Mr. Loudon, in his Architectural Magazine, observes on these arches and piers: "the effect, looking at the sides and roof, when entering from Oxfordstreet, (on the ground floor,) is harmonious and beautiful; but, on arriving at the opposite end, if we turn round, and look up to the gallery, we are shocked by a square opening with coupled pilasters on each side, surmounted by an architrave, without any connexion whatever with any part of the prevail. ing system,"

was taken, will convey to those who have seen them an idea of the style. The paintings are admirable as works of art, and will bear close examination. Round the sides of the building, between the piers and the walls, runs midway a gallery filled with counters. The whole of the floor below is also ingeniously laid out with counters, which resemble in design and arrangement the parterres of a flower-garden, and must fascinate even our utilitarian encyclopædist, Mr. Loudon. Upon these counters are temptingly displayed articles of dress and general embellishment-in part, the elegant manufacture of industrious females; and, in harmony with the charming associations of the whole scene, these counters are attended by fair marchandes. The saloon is also lighted with a circular window of stained glass at each end; one over the entrance from the picture galleries, and another above a semicircular recess, ornamented with arches and pillars opposite. To the taste of the latter window, we decidedly object, with the Spectator: it is a sad shop performance, and but ill accords with the artistical elegance around it.

Descending the staircase to the floor, the altitude and fine proportions of the building are seen in the best point of view; though the defect in the architectural arrangement referred to by Mr. Loudon is likewise more evident here.

The enrichments throughout the building are of classic character; and it would be impossible for us to describe the varied beauty of the cornices and entablatures, the elaborate finish of the patera, (many of them of the most chaste design,) or the massive richness of the consol and cantliver projections, the alto and basso relievos, &c. Yet the improved manufacture of these ornaments must be noticed; as they are of a material hitherto unemployed, or rarely used, in this branch of decorative art. They are of papier mâché, and were modelled by Mr. Charles F. Bielefield, and fitted up, executed and painted by him within about four months.

Adjoining the saloon gallery are other apartments for refreshments, &c.

Passing through the recess on the ground floor, opposite to the entrance from the picture gallery, you enter a handsome conservatory, 88 feet in length, and 25 feet broad, in the Moorish style of architecture. It consists of a highly-enriched alcove, the roof of which is coloured, or we should say, illuminated with arabesque; and beneath are large mirrors, aud gilded wirework aviaries, with Java sparrows, canaries, and other birds of brilliant plumage. Here also are stands for perroquets; and in the centre is a graceful and fanciful fountain, supporting a vase of gold-fish, and throwing aloft its limpid waters, which fall into a capacious basin, and bear beautiful aquatic plants. The arch of the alcove is supported