mous burning well at Ancliff, near Wigan in England, where the water, though cold, yet emitted such a strong vapour, that, on applying a light, its whole surface became covered with flame. This proceeded from a seam of coals under the well, which was no sooner removed, than the phenomenon ceased.

The progress of the Baron in his tour leads him to but little improvement in the manners of the people. He admires, as all have done, the climate, the fer tility, the beauty of the country, but this he finds debased by the poverty, filth, and slovenliness of the inhabitants. He repeats this remark on approaching Rome.

On reaching the height behind Starta, the traveller discovers more and more cupolas emerging from Rome, till at last the whole metropolis of the ancient world bursts in all its splendour on his longing eye.

On the left of the staircase is the celebrated mosiac manufactory, where the finest paintings are made with small cubes of coloured glass paste. This material is prepared on the premises; and, when in a state of semi-fusion, cut into square pieces before it completely hardens. When a mosiac painting is to be composed, the artist places the original before him; and, taking a marble slab with a prominent border, fills up the hollow with cement, fixing gradually into it the different cubes of glass paste, according to the shades and colours on the canvas. When the whole is completed, the glass pastes are ground down, to give the picture an even surface. The former method of polishing them has been abandoned, because they dazzled the eye; as is observable in the dome of the Vatican basilica, when the sun chances to shine upon the paintings. The skill of the manufacturers is so great, that they will

St. Peter's dome towers like a giant to the skies. The enchanting environs of the Vatican; Mount Maria, anciently Clivus Cinn, with a fine villa on its brow; wood-clad Tiber, and a world of villas in terspersed with vineyards and cypress groves, form a most interesting picture.Still it must be observed, that half way from Storta the country begins to assume a dreary aspect. Large tracts of land lie uncultivated; the road is encumbered with ruined houses and mouldering walls, and the richest soil is overrun with thorns and thistles. This is still worse in the neigh-copy any given picture to the life. This bourhood of the Ponte Molle; where the ground, being sandy, is yet more negJected.

Such features of poverty and indolence could not but make a deep impression on my mind. Having been from my very infancy familiarized with the wonders of Rome, I dreamt but of Italian paradises, basilicas, porticos, riches, and abundance; and now found crumbled walls, deserted houses, wretchedness, and desolation.

And all these in the Ecclesiastical states, in the Patrimony of St. Peter! The fact is equally incredible, and vexatious; but however, one consolation is, that these true sons of the church, born within her territories, and certainly included within her pale, will surely be admitted into heaven by their Patron St. Peter, and there they will enjoy much, very much, in fact, every thing which they wanted to render life

kind of painting is so much the more interesting, as its colours continue invariable; whereas oil and fresco paintings lose their vividness in process of time, or by an exposure to the beams of the sun.

Our Baron has drawn the character

of the present Romans in what we think rather flattering colours. What it might be, when kept down by French dominion, we presume not to decide; but, while we allow, that good fortune might introduce him to well educated persons, that he met with none of a different dewe think it was extreme good fortune scription, to counterbalance his luck.

As to the character of the Romans, and the

Italians in general, I must own I laboured
and read so much of their violence of tem-
Having heard
under a great mistake.
per, and duplicity, I at first shunned them
with as much caution as I should a pick-
pocket in London. But by degrees I dis-

covered so much cordiality, politeness, assiduity, and liberality of sentiment, that I looked about me like one waking from a dream, unable to conceive how so many travellers before me could have overlooked all their good qualities, and so grossly mis represented their defects. An inhabitant

John Bull is supposed to have plenty of money in his pocket, and fair game it is, to lighten the burden which he is unwilling to carry. The name of D'Uklanski'did not sound in their ears of British origin and possibly, they might not discover their object so completely in the bearer of an appellation so dissonant and so difficult to pronounce.

Whether any thing like a hint might be borrowed from the Baron's observation on the temporary credit afforded to the poor, we cannot say. The difficulty among ourselves would be to distinguish the honest from the dishonest; the crafty, knave from the really worthy We insert the paragraph; but man. with the utmost caution.

of the south is certainly of a warmer temper than one of the north, and apt to give way to the first impulse of passion. But, knowing his weak side, he watches more carefully over himself; and with the most refined civility, often bordering on adulation, endeavours to allay what might appear violent in the eyes of a foreigner. Hence the expressions Illustrissimo, Eccellenza, Vossiguoria, &c. at which John Bull stares with all his eyes. What is usually urged in proof of the violence of temper of the Italians, is, their attacking each other with knives; but there is really much less mischief done with this instrument than is commonly imagined. More pates are broken in Germany with cudgels, and more ribs fractured in England by fists, than there are here fingers injured by knives. Nor can the Italiaus be reproached with want of hospitality. To them good manners introduce the stranger equal-bordered with stands of old books, which ly well as recommendatory letters; they know the gentleman by his breeding and acquirements. The ridiculous card visits, and affected compliments, so much in use on other parts of the continent, are here unknown. They seldom inquire after your title or rank; your name is sufficient, aud often your country alone.

The poor bere enjoy credit to an unusual extent. There is a particular set of dealers: called mercanti dell' arte bianca, who supply them with flour, bread, butcher's meat, and other necessaries of life, for the space of three months, provided they do not buy them of others during that time.

Besides the cook's shops, the streets are

at every corner are offered for sale. They are exceedingly cheap, because the affluence of foreigners has of late decreased. I bought the Paris edition of Orlando Furioso for four paoli, and a Latin dictionary: in quarto for two. "Che fare," said the. bookseller, “bisogna mangiare e bere.”

The mercantile classes here show an extraordinary coufidence in foreigners, of which I had a striking instance. Having called at a stationers in the Corso, I bargain

"Lei è padrone della casa mia!" is the usual compliment paid to a visitor on a first acquaintance; but it is essentially different in its meaning from the trite for-ed for a quire of hot pressed paper, and the mula-Do me the houour of your visit. It is a general invitation; and on revisiting the family you are sure to be received with the utmost cordiality. If you meet next day your new acquaintance in the street, his salutation is as familiar and confidential, as if you had lived together for years. Acquaintances are sometimes formed in galleries, in museums, in public walks, or at the mansion of the family, even if you had gone thither only for the purpose of seeing their collections or apartments. This may appear strange to a shy recluse, but not so to him who moves in the great world.

We let this extract speak for itself.Perhaps, there is a difference in the Italians' treatment of different nations.

You are very welcome to my house; or, My house is at your service,

Guide through Italy. The charge being one scudo three paoli, I gave him a Kremnitz ducat, desiring him to give me the difference. But be, being disinclined to take it at the rate of twenty two paoli, requested me to put the parcel into my pocket, and bring him silver in the evening. I, of course, declined it; but he begged me with so much seriousness to wave all ceremony, as really to surprise Nevertheless, I thought it an Italian compliment; but, on calling again after dinner, found the packet carefully wrapped up; a proof that he had confidently relied on my return.

me.

The latter part of this extract presents nothing wonderful, but the simpli city of the good Baron. Any tradesman might do the same, since the goods, remaining in his Custody was security, sufficient against loss.

Our readers will perceive that informa- | fallacious, and a single yes, or no, from tion is to be gathered from these another quarter might invalidate, (or Volumes. We dismiss them with our confirm) the whole. best wishes in behalf of the widow, and not the less, if she be, as we conjecture, a native of a foreign land, and without any natural support in a Country of Strangers.

The Identity of Junius, with a distinguished living character established. 8vo. price 12s. Taylor and Hessey. London. 1816.

We may safely say, that if the Volume be not demonstrative it deserves to be so; and it possibly may approach nearer to it than it may be convenient to allow, especially as the writer seems tacitly to allow that Junius was not a single writer. There were, in short, several persons to whom the secret of the marked C was intrusted; and to. wards the close of the Correspondence: there is an evident change of style. fall under the private mark of Junius; Sir Philip Francis might address Wood

letter to the King, the Duke of Grafton, and the early compositions? not Sir Philip Francis.

THIS is really an extraordinary volame. It has occupied patience and per-but, who was the Junius that wrote the severance in no common proportion and life itself has been consumed, together with the oil of the midnight lamp in this enquiry. Neither pains nor ingenuity has been wanting. Every thing vanced if an opportunity were afforded The question might be further adthat could be compared with another of comparing the then hand writing of thing, is compared every date (the Sir Philip, with that of Junius. We are most troublesome and perplexing sub-mistaken if that of Junius would not ject, to similar enquirers) is scrutibe found older by twenty years, than nized; is found to agree to a miracle; that of Sir Philip. The first Junius every branch of knowledge is examined, and the proficiency of the party is estimated; every connection of friendship is traced to the utmost; the figure of the writer, his speech, his pronunciation, his phraseology, are all brought to bear their witness in this important cause. The hand-writing is not overlooked; the reasons for keeping that a secret, are suggested. The causes of Junius's evident favouritism, his refraining from abusing Lord Holland, while he threatens his son Charles Fox, his praise of Lord Chatham, with a thousand other particulars, are all stated, canvassed, cleared up, decided on, and satisfactorily dismissed and concluded.

had been in the world-the busy world by men who themselves were politicians -many years. He was a chosen tool, of no small eminence, and who in other and in more ostensible situations

ways,

made the most of all his-and their own arguments—in their own favour.

To the Shelburne party and to Shelburne House we have always attributed Junius; and though all memory of a manoeuvre so private may be lost in that family, and it may not be recollected now, the scheme might nevertheless, originate and be carried on, in that connection. We do not perceive, that the writer of this Volume has shewn any. If such a work had come down to us great intimacy between Sir P. Francis, from the days of Antiquity, what could or his father, and Lord Shelburne; we think of it? Having nothing to Such an incident, fairly proved, would guide our opinion into a better channel, in our estimation weigh equal to voit must be taken as demonstrative; and lumes of inferential evidence. Neverwhether it concerned Pericles or Plato,theless inferential evidence is not to be Demosthenes or Cicero, it would be ap- despised; as this writer makes clearly pealed to with triumphant satisfaction, manifest in every page. by whoever undertook to do those illustrious Characters justice. And yet, after all, it might mislead the reader; the identity supposed, might be only suppositious; the proofs might be all

The following paragraph contains one of the negative arguments adduced by the writer: together with his admission that Junius was not a single person.

Even in externals the resemblance between Sir PHILIP FRANCIS aud JUNIUS is remarkably perfect. The stature of the latter may be ascertained from a perusal of his Letters. It is the custom only of tali men to attach very commonly the epithet "little" to those whom they are inclined to treat with disrespectful freedom. We seldom find one of a middle size guilty of this; it too nearly concerns himself: if he employs the term, it either loses its force, or recoils upon him with an unpleasant effect. The slightest observation will coufirm the above remark. Ifthen in JUNIUS we see the word little assigned to many different individuals, we may conclude that the person of the writer was of an opposite description. Should it appear that this is a habit in which he frequently indulges; and that some individuals, not much, if any thing, below the common standard, are thus distinguished; we may judge by the same rule, that the denominator was himself a taller man than ordinary.

sibly might not be the Author of the Letters; but the anecdote deserves attention, since the figure of the gentleman agrees with that idea of his person which JUNUIS

had led us to conceive.

Some persons are inclined to dwell on these particulars more than on moral evidence-formam aliquam figuramque quierebant. I confess that I am inclined to place. dependence upon Mr. Jackson's testimony, and should have felt dissatisfied in no slight degree, had it not been perfectly reconcileable with my opinion of the Author. Sir PHILIPFRANCIS resembles, in person,the genfleman seen by Mr. Jackson. For the satisfaction of those who never saw Sir PHILIP, his portrait is prefixed to this volume, in confirmation of our statement. The original picture, painted by Lonsdale, was copied by the engraver of the present, in the plate to the Monthly Mirror for May, 1810.

I know not in what costume Sir PHILIP usually appeared at the time the Letters were written, but from the fashion of the To this class JUNIUS most certainly be- age, it could not be essentially different longs. His liberal sprinkling of the inglo- from that which Mr. Jackson describes,— rious attributé among those who had the The colour must, of course, be accidental. honour of his notice, may be collected These, with the other circumstances from the following examples. enlarged on by the writer, are brought "I don't so much as question Mr. Her-into a laboured and very attentively comvey's being able to give good advice, as that other little man's being either willing posed volume. They might puzzle a or able to follow it ;" alluding to Lord Bar Jury of very honest Englishmen : rington, who is again styled my but the Judge would set them to lord." rights. They might all be dissipated Mr. Chamier is scarcely ever mentioned in a moment by a clear denial in a few but as little Shammy-a tight, active little words, but that kind of denial which fellow-a little gambling broker-little Sir Phillip did give, this writer insists Waddlewell-little 3 per cents reduced-is in perfect character with Junius, a wonderful Girgishite—a little whiffling broker, &c. &c..

66

little

Mr. Ellis is a little piece of machinerylittle Ellis-little mannikin Ellis-WEL.

BORE ELLIS, WHAT SAY YOU-Speak out Grildrig."

This presumptive proof that JUNIUS was himself a tall man, receives strength from the following description of his person, extracted from a note to the last Edition of the Letters.

"Mr. Jackson, the present respectable proprietor of the Ipswich Journal, was at this time in the employment of the late Mr. Woodall, and he observed to the Editor, in September last, that he once saw a TALL gentleman dressed in a light coat, with bag and sword, throw into the office door opening in Ivy Lane, a Letter of JuNIUS's, which he picked up; and immediately followed the bearer of it into St. Pauls Church-yard, where he got into a hackney coach and drove off." This pos

equally jesuitical and sarcastic, proving nothing. It is to this effect.

"SIR,

"The great civility of your letter induces me to answer it, which, with reference merely to its subject matter, I should have declined. Whether you will assist in giving currency to a silly, malignant falsehood, is a question for your own discretion. To me it is a matter of perfect indifference.

"I am, Sir,

"Yours, &c. "P. FRANCIS." To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine. Here we close our account of this volume: it is ingenious, laborious, persevering. If the author be a lawyer, his pleading does him credit: he has made the most of his cause; and if it fail in any point, it is not for want of industry in him who has pleaded it.