242 
venteen lines on each page. No title is 
prefixed. Tach platform oftext is framed 
with a flourish in imitation of manuscript, 
and the letters are so cut as to unite with 
one another and to look like writing. 
The text is copied from Louis Maracei’s 
edition, 
Surely the press of Calcutta would do 
well, from similar motives, to imitate this 
display of tolerance, this proclamation of 
religious equity. Although in Great Bri- 
tain, even the Christian sects have not 
yet learnt enough reciprocal indulgence ; 
there may nevertheless be found some 
British philanthropic governors superior 
to the superstitious prejudices and fac- 
tious bigotry of the vulgar, 
MOZAIC. 
The art of inlaying stene, so as to form 
designs by means of pebbles of different 
eolours, 1s called mozaic,’ er mosaic, 
work, Whence is the name derived? 
The first and earliest historic instance 
(Exodus, xxVill, 17) of the practice of 
this art is the stomacher worn by the high- 
priest of the Jews, Was the-art there- 
fore ascribed to Moses? 
The most perfect specimens of the art 
are those produced at Rome in the school 
founded by the cavalier Pietro Paulo di 
Christofori, which rival paintings for de- 
sign and colour, aud surpass them for du- 
ration. 
Furietti wrote De Musaicis in 1752. 
FRENCH COLONIZATION OF BRAZIL. 
In 1578 was printed the History of a 
Voyage to Brazil, made by John de Lery 
a native of Margelle in Burgundy. It is 
dedicated to Francis Count of Colligny, 
and relates an attempt of some French * 
protestants to establish a colony in Bra- 
zl, uuder the direction of a kuight of 
Malta, named Villegagnon. The first 
embareation took place m.1555 at Har 
fleur in Normandy; and the landing was 
effected at Ganabara, a creek so called 
by the Topinamboos. A supplementary 
batch of settlers followed the next year, 
athong whom was Jean de Lery, then a 
student of theology ap Geneva, who had 
been invited, under the premise of au 
adequate salary to preach the gospel. 
These second colenists, landed in Fe« 
bruary 1557, at a place called by the sa- 
yages Hooassoo, and proceeded to join 
their predecessors, by marching along 
the coast to Fort Colligny,which had been 
constructed in an island of the Ganabara, 
‘They arrived in March on Wednesday 
the tenth, ‘The arrival of the fresh co- 
lonists was consecrated by a general com- 
munion; and Villegagnon distinguished 
eal tel i ee 
Extracts from the Port-folio of a Man of Letters. [O&. 19 
himself by two extemporary prayers. A 
doctor of the Sorbonne, who had come 
over, took that opportunity of abjuring 
popery. After about eight months stay, 
Villegagnon gave the colonists to under- 
stand, that he had renounced the gospel 
interest; that he could proyide for no 
persons who did not work at the buildings 
about the fort, or in the production of 
agricultural commodities, and he finally 
abandoned to their shifts our author, and 
the zealots of his party. After much 
wandering and ditliculty, a party of fif- 
teen found the means to embark, and 
were joined by others of the colonists whe 
had remained under the protection of 
Villegagnon, They set sail for Rochelle 
in January 1558, and, after suffering 
much from famine, landed the following 
May at Blavet, 
The account of the manners of the sa- 
vages is copious and curious. ‘They are 
described as wholly without religion, sheer 
atheists; but certain priests of the Carib- 
bees come occasionally among them and 
preach about bad spirits. A vocabulary 
of their language is given, and several 
short dialogues. 
RaCINE—1639-1699. 
Tt is curious to observe the erroneous 
opimion: which Corneille entertained of 
this amiable poet. When Racine had 
finished his tragedy of Alexander, he 
shewed it to Corneille, and asked him, 
what be thought of it. Corneille told him 
that the piece certainly evinced his ta- 
Jents ior poetry, but that he did nos 
think his genius led to the dramatic line. 
lt is melancholy to reflect that this 
great poet suflered himself to become a. 
victim to the anger of his sovereign, 
Madame de Maintenon had requested 
huv to draw up a memorial, representing 
in strong terms the misery and calamr, 
ties under which the people groaned. 
‘This she presented to the king, and was 
weak enough to give up the author. ‘The. 
king, offended that Racine should affect 
to point out the defects of his govern- 
ment, exclaimed, “ What! because he is. 
a poet, does he pretend to be a politi 
cian?” These words, and his disgrace, 
which soon afterwards happened, struck 
Racine to the heart, and produced that, 
disorder which in a very short time occas 
sioned his death. 
LOUIS RACINE, 
Second son of the great tragedian, was. 
aman of talents, and an ingenious poet. 
His poems on “ Religion,” and “ Grace,” 
are remarkable for the richness and bril- 
hancy“of some of the passages, the pintys 
ao 
