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Since this period many similar phenomena have occurred, particularly at Benares, in India; at l'Aigle, in France; and near Glasgow, in Scotland: and Mr. Howard, and the Count de Bournon, have proved by a very accurate chemical and mineralogical examination, that they agree with each other in their composition and external characters, and differ from any known productions of the earth. They consist of metallic particles, containing iron, alloyed by nickel, of pyrites, and of silicious and magnesian earths, with oxide of iron. Their origin is still unknown,

THE last part of this lecture was devoted to the " History of the Winds." Mr. Davy considered the causes of the winds as the rarefaction or condensation of air by heat and cold, occasioning currents, and the difference of the primary motions of the transferred air, considered as revolving with the other parts of the earth, round its axis.

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Mr. Wood began his ninth lecture on perspective with a recapitulation of the preceding, and then proceeded to explain the general application of the rules of perspective to the common purposes of drawing views from nature; which he illustrated by drawings of different subjects, accounting for the height of the horizontal line; the projection of shadows; the vanishing lines of ascending and descending places, &c. &c. and the course concluded with a comparison of the methods used by famous authors with that most excellent and comprehensive system, established by Dr. Brook Taylor, in the beginning of the last century.

British Gallery.

MINIATURES. (Continued.)

No. 135. Spanish courtship.

A. Chalon.

THERE is an air of elegance and of pleasing expression thrown about this

picture. The female is perfectly a Span

ish character.

No. 143. Countess of Desmond.

Miss Jones.

A WELL executed portrait: appearing to be a faithful copy from some ancient and valuable one.

No. 155. Love and Innocence, from R. Cosway, Esq. R. A. Miss Jones.

THE powers of miniature painting are here represented with great success. The colouring is clear and brilliant, and perfectly natural: the composition, exquisite. It is rather surprising that so beautiful a cabinet ornament should not have found a purchaser.

No. 156. A subject from an epitaph on a child, who died suddenly.

S. Shelley.

THIS picture ranks, beyond all doubt, among the happiest specimens of Mr. Shelley's pencil. The composition and colouring are correct and brilliant; but

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trasted with the repose of the dis

t mountains.

Purchased by Tho. Hope, Esq.

194. A Landscape with Cattle.

B. Barker.

CHOUH this is a very warm and picture, it wants variety in the ition. The size is too large to aduch a simplicity of background, ed by one strait horizontal line. ntains are rather too remote to ffect. Notwithstanding, it is a ific painting.

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l by the Rt. Hon. Charles

James Ward.

baser of this small picture atulated on possessing one specimens of the British pigs are, in truth, adtouch is peculiarly firm, orrect; and there is a Iness of manner about ich, while they remind

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