ward temper, and which in its development affords materials which may prompt to an imitation of the same course, and a consequent repetition of the same agreeable results. For the gratification and instruction of a young lady still engaged in the elementary branches of education, we do not know a book which we would sooner recommend than this, with the view of doing the best to secure to her the greatest measures of gratification, and of moral benefit at the same time. ART. XV. Proceedings at the Meeting on the subject of the Preservation and Restoration of the Lady Chapel, at the East end of St. Saviour's, Southwark: held at the Freemason's Tavern, Jan. 28, 1832. London: Nichols and Co. 1832. TAKEN altogether, this is one of the most interesting and powerful tributes that has ever yet been paid to the architectural taste and magnificence of our ancestors, as displayed in the various structures which from ancient time have claimed, in many parts of the country, the greatest admiration and reverence. Perhaps in no part of the world, is there a more perfect specimen of the practical application of the pure principles which distinguish the Gothic style of architecture, than the Lady Chapel. We have numerous attestations of its incomparable beauty, by men whose experience justifies us in imputing to their opinions the very highest degree of authority. Mr.Cottingham, architect, states, 'I will venture to stake my reputation as an architect, that there is not in this kingdom a more pure and more elegant design of early pointed architecture, than the chapel we are this day called upon to endeavour to preserve from demolition. It is not only admirable as regards its details, but in its sectional construction presents, to the most untutored eye, those securities against expansion, which exhibit the pure principles of Gothic architecture in a bold connecting line— where defence succeeds defence from the highest arch of the tower, to the lowest point of the chapel wall. This line once broken, the whole fabric is endangered. It is to such buildings as these that we are indebted for the best principles of construction— principles which the ancients never arrived at, and the moderns too often neglect. lish groined arches, supported by six clustered pillars, with half pillars against the walls. The walls are perforated by numerous windows of beautiful, and many of them unique varied proportions; all exquisitely in example, and when duly restored will diffuse a light through the Chapel, which will exhibit an elegance of effect not at present easily conceived.'-pp. 5, 6. 'It consists of twelve early-Eng Mr. Robert Wallace, architect, observes, 'I am quite aware of my inability to add to what has been already stated; but, having held for the last two years the appointment of architect to the church in question, of which this chapel is an important part, I hope I may be presumed to have some claim to address a few words to the meeting. 'History, science, and taste, here unite to instruct and to charm us ; and I verily believe that if the besom of destruction is suffered to sweep away this ancient fabric, it may be truly said, in the language of Scripture, that "the stone shall cry out. of the wall, and the beam out of the timber shall answer it."'-pp. 11,12. Mr. Richard Taylor, F. S. A., says, The principles of Gothic architecture involve principles of mechanical science of the highest importance. I am sure the gentlemen who are here present, architects by profession, will acknowledge, and every man who is acquainted with the subject will acknowledge, that there are principles of architectural science of the greatest mechanical interest, which can only be developed by a minute investigation of Gothic buildings, and the supports by which structures of stupendous magnitude are upheld, and which yet present to the view the greatest appearance of lightness and ornament. Here are lightness and ornament united with stability. I would therefore say, when speaking of the question of utility, that there is not a mechanic in the country who feels no interest in the support of these structures. I am convinced that every sculptor, every common mason, every builder of every description (unless he had an interest to demo lish, that he might erect his own meagre and unsightly works-his own miserable brick-work covered with plaster-upon the ruins of those works which have endured for ages), every artisan, I say, who has no sinister influence of this kind, would cry out against the demolition of such a work, if he could but appreciate its beauty and its architectural value; and for that you have the guarantee of all the gentlemen who best understand the subject. The interior has been seen but by few persons; the windows are blocked up, and therefore it is seen in partial darkness and in dirt.' -pp. 22, 23. And yet it is such a relic of antiquity as this, that the purse-proud Vandal mob of the parish of St. Saviour's would attempt to demolish. Happy are we to find, that their barbarous proposal has been counteracted by the manly and laudable spirit of the intelligent portion of the parish, who, by their successful resistance to an odious spoliation, have rescued the character of the country from eternal shame. MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. Lord Brougham, we regret to say, has been for some time in very low spirits. The real cause is the bad health of his daughter, who is his only child, and to whom he is most devotedly attached. It is now understood that she labours under an incurable affection of the heart. She is about twelve years old, and is said to possess so much of her distinguished father's talents, as to write to him occasionally on topics of a public nature. Her sentiments are boldly expressed, and she does not hesitate to tell the Chancellor when she thinks he is wrong upon any subject. Dutch costume.-The ladies of Holland are determined on establishing a national costume. The idea was first suggested in the "Euphrosine," a periodical journal which is conducted by a coterie of ladies at Amsterdam. The plan has been taken up by another journal, under the superintendance of a committee of gentlemen. The dresses are to be wholly Dutch in style, as well as in the materials from which they are to be manufactured. The dress consists of a tunic of silk, or any other material, striped, red and blue, and a corsage of velvet. Electricity.-It is stated that an Italian savant has obtained from the common magnet a spark similar to that of electricity. If so, the discovery may possibly lead to some important results with reference to the needle and the Aurora Borealis. Paganini acknowledges to have cleared 22,000l. by his visit to this country, and 6000l. by his sojourn in Paris. Clubs have been recently formed in several parts of Germany for the purpose of promoting the diffusion of English literature. Most of our popular works are already printed there in a very cheap form. Improvisation. Among the lectures lately delivered at the Royal Institution, the most attractive was one upon the curious art, or gift, of improvisation, delivered by the Marquess Moscati. He gave it as his opinion that the power of creating extemporaneous poetry arises from a divine mania, which is accompanied by an irritation of the nervous system, and an over-excitement of the brain. After the lecture, which was much and deservedly admired, the Marquess gave an example of improvisation, and sung a very beautiful extempore song to an air which was played for him by one of the ladies. St. Simonians.-The sect of the St. Simonians, which is making considerable progress in France, and is indeed but another name for the worshippers of the Goddess of Reason, set up during the period of the former revolution, is about, it is said, to dispense with the necessity of the marriage ceremony altogether. Francis I.-The loves of Francis the First and François de Foix form the ground work of one of the most elegant comic operas on the French stage. Françoise was wife to the Compte de Chateaubriand, by whom she left several children. Her ro mantic history has been adopted by Madame Gottis, in the popular novel of François 1er." Lady Hester Stanhope still resides at the monastery of Abra, in Syria. She may be regarded as the virtual Queen of Palmyra. Her usual dress is that of a prince of the Bedouin Arabs, of the most splendid description. She receives no English travellers, but to foreigners she is exceedingly hospitable. She has introduced many useful ameliorations into the country of her domicile. Her religion is said to be Mahomedan. She lives wholly in the oriental manner, surrounded by a vast number of slaves, and other attendants. She is the niece of William Pitt, and grand-daughter of the great Lord Chatham. Curious coincidence.-Those who are fond of noticing coincidences, will not fail to regard as singular, the death, within three days, of three persons-a poet, a poet's widow, and the first love of a poet; the first is the Rev. G. Crabbe, the accurate delineator of humble life; the second is Mrs. Darwin, the widow of the celebrated physician and poet of Flora's court; the third is Mrs. Musters, immortalized by the ardent strains of Lord Byron's youthful muse, and recollected even in his latest poems. It is remarkable that they were natives of the three midland counties, Leicester, Derby, and Nottingham. Mrs. Musters was the "Mary Chaworth" of Byron's younger days. The Landers.-The audience given by the King at Windsor, to those enterprising travellers, Richard and John Lander, is said to have been most kind and interesting. His Majesty continued his inquiries relating to the river Niger for a length of time. Many branches of the Royal Family were, on this occasion, present. INDEX TO THE FIRST VOLUME OF THE MONTHLY REVIEW FOR 1832. NEW AND IMPROVED SERIES. A. ABERNETHY, Mr., memoir of, 189-his Africa, a Practical Medico-Historical ac- By M. C. Green, 88 a novel replete Ali, Mrs. Meer Hassan, (see Mussul- Americans, domestic manners of. By Mrs. 548-rude visit of an American innkeeper, Anatomy, Lecture introductory to the Animals, vertebrated, of the British islands, Attila, a Tragedy, and other Poems, 611 Aram, Eugene, a tale. By the author of story, ib.-observations upon the won- B. BAINI, Giuseppe, (see Memorie, &c.) Ben Jonson, 312 Berri, the Duchess de, 147 Bernard, St., called the last of the Fathers, Bible Society, new, 149 Biblical Annual, the; containing a four- Boetius, his treatise on the "Consolation of Philosophy," 485 Bonnington, life of, 475-his finest produc- tions, 476-his manner a little tainted Bourbon, the Duke de, 148 Boyle, James, (see Africa) Brando Johannes, his very curious manu- Britton, J., (see Hereford) Bryant, Wm. Cullen, (see Poems, &c.) and journals, and his life. By Thomas Byron, Lord, Finden's Landscape Illustra- C. CABAL, the, a tale of the reign of William Cabinet, the Ladies; of Fashion, Music, Canterbury Tales. By Sophia and Harriet Carrington, 197 Cesarotti, Melchior, life of, 105-his in- Chameleon, the, 145 Chancellor's Black, 312 Chantilly, 440-composed of three tales, Chemistry, the elements of, explained and Cholera, 147, 149 - By Cholera, on Pestilential, its nature, pre- Coincidence, curious, 614 Contagion, 146 Costume, Dutch, 613 Copland, James, (see Cholera) Cyril, bishop of Alexandria, 485 DAVID, a Poem, 144 D. Damascenus, called Chrysorrhoas, 486 |