98 Mr Wilson on the State of the Arts in Italy. 



little steel chisels out of the white portion of the shell. A 

 fine shell is worth a guinea in Rome. Copies from the an- 

 tique, original designs, and portraits, are executed in the most 

 exquisite style of finish, and perfect in contour and taste, and 

 it may be said that the Roman artists have attained perfection 

 in this beautiful art. Good shell cameos may be had at from 

 L.l to L.5 for heads, L.3 to L.4 for the finest large brooches, 

 a comb costs L.10, and a complete set of necklace, ear-rings, 

 and brooch, cost L.21. A portrait can be executed for L.4 or 

 L.5, according to workmanship. 



Having now touched upon those minor arts which have 

 an intimate connection with painting and sculpture, I shall 

 make a few observations on architecture, and the constructive 

 and decorative arts which are connected with that science ; 

 but this I must do ver) briefly indeed, as otherwise I should 

 occupy too much of the time of the Society. 



The architects of Italy have but little scope for a display of 

 ability, as the population is not on the increase, but, on the con- 

 trai'y, except in parts of the Austrian States, has shrunk away 

 from the number required to occupy the palaces, villas, and 

 houses which already exist both in town and country ; and this 

 is painfully proved by the number of empty and dilapidated 

 edifices. The various buildings which belong to Government, 

 the churches, colleges, and hospitals, have generally been 

 built on a scale of magnificence which has never been excelled, 

 in some instances never equalled, in other countries, but all 

 betoken more or less the same melancholy decline. By this 

 observation I do not mean to convey the idea that the build- 

 ings themselves are ruined or neglected ; I allude to their 

 emptiness, and to the absence of that state which once filled 

 them with its splendour. To her honour, the hospitals of 

 Italy have long been known for their number, extent, and 

 order, and these are still models in many respects. Although 

 not many works, yet some of great magnitude are going on in 

 Italy, and in these taste in design, magnificence in material, 

 and solidity of construction, are displayed. The restoration 

 of the Basilica of St Paul's at Rome is an immense undertak- 

 ing ; to effect it, contributions have been obtained from all 

 countries, whether in money or materials. It is said that 



