"First what kind of person HOMER was, saith Spondanus, his statue teacheth, which Cedrenus describeth. Then was the Octagonon at Constantinople consumed with fire, and the bath of Severus that bore the name of Zeuxippus: in which there was much varietie of spectacle and splendor of arts; the workes of all ages being conferred, and preserved there, of marble, rockes, stones, and images of brasse; to which, this onely wanted; that the soules of the persons they presented were not in them.

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Amongst these master-pieces, and all-wit-exceeding workmanships, stood HOMER, as he was in his age, thoughtfull and musing: his hands folded beneath his bosome; his beard untrimmed, and hanging downe; the haire of his head in like sort thinne on both sides before; his face with age and cares of the world (as these imagine) wrinkled and austere; his nose proportioned to his other parts; his eyes fixt or turned up to his eye browes, like one blind (as it is reported he was), not born blind, saith Vell. Paterculus, which he that imagins is blind of all senses. Upon his under coate he was attired with a loose robe; and at the base beneath his feet, a brazen chaine hung. This was the statue of Homer, which in that conflagration perished."

sure,

Such is the truly graphic record of a statue worthy, we may be of the mighty subject. I have used the attraction of Shakspeare's name, as a vehicle to recommend such an effort to our native sculptors; and should indeed triumph, were I so fortunate as to elicit a work, which even in degree might compensate so great a loss.

An author is usually fuller upon the pains than the pleasure of his task. The delight with which Shakspeare inspires his sincere

votaries, makes "all their labours pleasures." But I have, I confess, indulged a decided partiality (I dare not call it taste) in striving to render Chapman better known among us. Mr. Lamb, in his curious and most valuable work, "The Specimens," had spoken of Chapman in that happy distinctive way, that marks his characters of all the early dramatic poets. What he says of his Homer in particular, is as bold as it is true. But I think he might have extended his commendation so as to assert, what I am sure he will never deny, the amazing harmony and sweetness of Chapman's lighter efforts, and the tender and graceful images that sometimes floated before his fancy. I will not refuse myself the pleasure of laying one such passage before my readers; it is from a very scarce poem, and describes the flight of Andromeda.

Her most wise mother yet, the sterne intent,
Vow'd with her best endeavour to prevent.
And tolde her what her father did addresse;
Shee (fearfull) fled into the wildernesse :

And to th' instinct of savage beasts would yeeld,

Before a father that would cease to shield

A daughter, so divine and innocent:

Her feet were wing'd, and all the search out went,

That after her was ordered: but she flew,
And burst the winds that did incenst pursue,
And with enamoured sighes, her parts assaile,
Plaide with her haire, and held her by the vaile:
From whom shee brake, and did to woods repaire:
Still where shee went, her beauties dide the ayre,

And with her warme blood, made proud Flora blush:
But seeking shelter in each shadie bush:

Beauty like fire comprest, more strength receives;

And shee was still seene shining through the leaves.
Hunted from thence, the sunne even burn'd to see,
So more then sunne-like a divinity,

Blinded her eyes, and all invasion seekes

To dance upon the mixture of her cheekes,
Which show'd to all, that follow'd after far,
As underneath the roundure of a starre,

The evening skie is purpled with his beames:
Her lookes fir'd all things with her love's extreames.
Her necke a chaine of orient pearle did decke,
The pearles were faire, but fairer was her necke:
Her breasts (laid out) show'd all enflamed sights
Love, lie a sunning, twixt two Crysolites:
Her naked wrists showde, as if through the skie,
A hand were thrust, to signe the Deitie.

Her hands, the confines, and digestions were

Of beauties' world; Love fixt his pillars there.

ANDROMEDA LIBERATA,

By George Chapman.

Printed for Laurence Lisle, and are to be sold at his shop in St. Paule's
Church-yard, at the signe of the Tiger's-head. 1614.

On a matter so purely incidental, I do not chuse to occupy inore space; I therefore close my remarks with the declaration, that George Chapman, in my opinion, was the author of the verses

S

on Shakspeare, subscribed, "The friendly Admirer of his Endowments." As a slight coincidence, still to be noted, when, in 1594, he dedicated his two hymns to his "worthy" friend Master Matthew Roydon, he closes by terming himself, "The true Admirer of his Virtues."

ADDITIONAL REMARKS,

AS TO THE PORTRAIT BY CORNELIUS JANSEN.

IN the Critical Review for December 1770, the print by Earlom is thus noticed:

King Lear, 8vo. price 38.-A mezzotinto of the author, by the ingenious Mr. Earlom, (whose industry and abilities do honour to the rising arts of Great Britain), is placed at the head of it. We should have been glad indeed, to have some better proofs concerning the authenticity of the original, than a bare assertion that it was painted by Cornelius Jansen*, and is to be found in a private collection, which we are not easily inclined to treat with much respect, especially as we hear it is filled with the performances of one of the most contemptible daubers of the age.

* Walpole says, Jansen's first works are dated in England about 1618; this picture bears date in 1610. The only true picture of Shakspeare supposed to be now extant, was painted either by Richard Burbage, or John Taylor the player, the latter of whom left it by will to Davenant. After his death, Betterton bought it; and when he died, Mr. Keck of the Temple, gave 40 guineas for it to Mrs. Barry the actress. From him it descended to Mr. Nicholl of Southgate, by whose daughter it afterwards came to the present Marquis of Caernarvon, in whose possession we believe it still remains. Note of the Reviewer.