o° 
534 Rubens and Shakespeare compared. Dec. 26, 
In a church, the name I have fotgot, there is a-picture” 
of Rubens justly admired, which represents: the dead bo- 
dy of Christ in Joseph’s arms ;. and in the Recollets, his’ 
picture of the crucifixion between two thieves, is a capi- 
tal piece. 
In Antwerp there are several large magazines of pain- 
tings for sale; in one-of whichI purchased four pieces by’ 
Tenier, and.one by Ostade. They cost me twenty-eight. 
louis d’ors. I think they are originals, but I may be de> . 
ceived. To me they are pleasing and humourous paint- 
ings. Tam curious to know the opinions of connoifseurs; 
though resolved to be pleased however they decide: de 
gustibus non disputandum. Rembrandt’s mother, in this 
collection, appears to me a piece of singular excellente. 
It is flefh and blood! with admirable features of real life 
and character, upon canvas! The price is L. 300. If 
I thought myself adequately rich, I would pay down the 
“money, with the hazard of being ridiculed by conncif=- 
seurs,, 
Dufseldorp. 
Sept. 22. This day, on our arrival, we visited, with: 
great pleasure, the ‘elector Palatine’s gallery of pain- 
tings. They fill five spacious apartments, and may be 
divided into three clafses; the Flemith, and the Italian). 
(which are admirable, ) and a promiscuous collection, desti- 
tute of genius, though, in worse company, they. might. 
make a tolerable figure. ; 
Such collections afford excellent amusement, in-propor- 
tion to our taste and fancy ; but afterall, the best govern- 
ments are those which encourage useful ‘industry and the 
arts, which promote the increase and happinefs of man- 
kind, I with that I could find a German prince, who, im 
in place of an uninhabited. palace of paintings, fhall thew 
me a/gallery of elegant manufactories, such as the mer- 
