description of it in detail, succeeded by a very intelligent letter from a correspondent upon the subject.

Description of the Statue.

ACHILLES is represented kneeling on his left knee; the thigh being supported on that side by his shield thrown obliquely on the ground, and grouped as an inclined plane-with his helmet, battle axe, and sword behind it. The left leg in this view is fore-shortened; and the foot bears strongly against a fragment of a stone. The extended action of the right lower extremity, shewing the front of the thigh to the happiest advantage, places this leg in a fore-shortened view also; the entire limb rests upon the great toe. A drapery, arising from behind the figure, and passing over the top of the helmet and shield, extends over the upper part of the left thigh. The body rises erect from this complicated but natural and vigorous disposition of the lower extremities; the chest in

clines a little forward; the head is thrown rather back upon the right shoulder, supported by the right hand, expanded, and passionately fixed upon the hair, which is in a dishevelled state. The face looks upward over the left arm, which is extended in a very graceful and animated manner; and the countenance is impregnated with every mark of disdain, disappointment, and resentment. The whole contour of the figure is astonishingly grand, yet the anatomy perfectly correct.

THE sculptor has taken that moment of time, when Brisëis has been torn from Achilles by order of Agamemnon : and the action is described by the preceding lines of the poct. The waves of the ocean wash the base of the figure, which is elevated on a pedestal about 3 feet high. The figure measures a little more than 8 feet.

To the Editor of the Director.

SIR,

FROM the nature of your introductory paper I should suppose, that

you would be glad to hear from any person, who endeavours, as much as he can, to promote the arts of his country; who has seen with pleasure the rapid strides, that have been, and are daily, making in favour of them; and whose only ́ wish is, that they may ever proceed in the right road. If therefore a few cursory observations, not only on what is done, and what ought to be done, but also some remarks on what is done and ought not to be done, be admissible in your Director, I will occasionally take the liberty of troubling you with a few lines. My present communication I purpose to confine to the subject of the British Institution as an accidental circum:

stance has made me personally acquainted with an important event in its history.

THE progress, that was made in that excellent establishment during the year of its birth, was very great; but it will, I hope, be far exceeded as it increases

in

years. The former exhibition of the English School is fresh in the memory of all, and I have no doubt that the exertions of the artists will render the ensuing one at least equally brilliant and valuable. The pictures of old masters, also, that were kindly lent last year for the instruction of students, were upon the whole excellent; yet I hope they will be still better during the succeeding summer. Perhaps in the course of your work you will give me leave to point out some, which, if they can be had, will be of essential service. But I am now wandering from my present purpose:

THE particular event, I allude to, is the erection of an original colossal spe

cimen of modern British sculpture, which was presented to the Institution last year by the family of the artist, and is now placed in the entrance hall. Upon this subject I shall beg leave to offer a few reflections, as it is a circumstance that seems to augur favourably of the expanded and liberal support which our artists are likely to derive, in various points of view, from this admirable establishment.

THIS great effort of modern art is the STATUE of the COMPLAINING ACHILLES, by the late Mr. BANKS: a well placed altar of Art, which speaks in good omens of the taste, impartiality, and just views of the patriotic society which there erected it; and recollecting, as I well do, the high enthusiasm that worked invariably under the cool and serious exterior of that genuine Artist, it gives me the greatest pleasure to behold this meritorious monument of his powers, perhaps his noblest effort, placed at last, by a con