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beauties of all other deities are assembled in this 
figure, as in the divine Pandora. This brow is the 
brow of Jupiter pregnant with the goddess of Wis- 
dom, and its movement announces its will. These 
eyes, in their fine-turned orbits, are the eyes of 
Juno; and this mouth is the same that inspired the 
beautiful Branchus with voluptuousness. Like the 
pliant branches of a tender vine, his lovely hair 
waves around his divine head, as if lightly agitated 
by the breath of Zephyr; his locks seem perfumed 
with ethereal essence, and negligently attached at 
the summit by the Graces themselves. When I 
behold this prodigy of art, I forget all the universe, 
I assume a more dignified attitude, to be worthy to 
contemplate it. From admiration I pass into ec- 
stasy. Penetrated with respect, I feel my bosom 
heave and dilate itself, as in those filled with the 
spirit of prophecy. I am transported to Delos, 
and the sacred groves of Lycia once honoured by 
the presence of the god; for the beauty before me 
seems to acquire motion, like that produced of old 
by the chisel of Pygmalion. How is it possible to 
describe thee, thou inimitable masterpiece, unless I 
had the help of ancient science itself to inspire me, 
and guide my pen! I lay at thy feet the sketch I 
have rudely attempted ; as those who cannot reach 
the brows of the divinity they adore, offer at its 
footstool the garlands with which they would fain 
have crowned its head.” 
The reader who has not before seen this ani- 
mated description will not consider it obtrusive 
