N'oiices respecting New Books. 8i 



\Vhich they are entire strangers: they ought therefore to blend 

 their instructions in matters relating to the fine arts, with sub- 

 jects to which their readers may not be entirely strangers; and 

 these, too, mnst be distmguished bv taste; for in vain will 

 they look for disciples, except among those who have made 

 progress in other arts and sciences. 



This work, which is published in weekly numbers, of 

 which sixteen have already appeared, is " written by men of 

 eminent professional abilities, on topics relative to their re- 

 spective studies, and by other persons peculiarly conversant 

 uith those subjects ;" and each essay has the sis:nature or 

 initials of its author. Among the number of contributors 

 \l'e observe West, Flaxman, Northcote, Hoppner, Hope, 

 Cumberland, Cavallo, Boaden, Soane, Shee, Hoare, and 

 Mrs. Inchbald. After mentioning such names, need we 

 add that " The Artist" deserves, and we hope will obtain, 

 the attention of the enlightened part of the community? The 

 aim of the contributors to this work is so highly meritorious, 

 that it would be worse than cruel to dwell on any little in- 

 accuracies in the style of a few of the papers, especially when 

 we can add, with truth, that there is hardlv a single pige ia 

 the whole wotk that does not convey both amusement and 

 instruction. 



No. VII. of the work is entirely dedicated '' to the me- 

 mory of John Opie;" a tribute grateful to every friend of 

 merit, a part of which we shall therefore select as a speci- 

 itjen of the work before tjs. 



" Few men have attained to eminence by a more irregulhr 

 course of study, by stronger native endowments, or by more 

 deterniinpd industry, than the great painter whose name at 

 this moment inspires public rcgrtt. The child of humble 

 life, born in a remote and secluded part of the island, with 

 little or inferior education, such as humble and busy parents 

 could bestow, he was destined to transplant to the bosom of 

 the metropolis the hardy products of a sound and vigorouil 

 intellect, and to add strength and lustre to civil cultivation. 



" John Opie was born in May, I7G1, in the parish of St. 

 Agno.i!, about seven mileS from the town of Truro. Fii» 

 father and grandfather were repuiable lujister carpenters in 



Vol. -iS. No. l()9- June 1807. F ' that 



