t*J^2. fine arts. ^-/^ 



t]iis very splendid edition of Shakespeare is to be ac- 

 companied by a set of prints, copied from original paint- 

 ings by the best aitists in Europe, done for the purpose. 

 One copy of this book, with the prints, costs a hun- 

 dred guineas. The paintings are to be preserved in a 

 hall built on purpose, called Shakespeare's gallery, which 

 is now open for the inspection of the public. Some 

 numbers of the work are already delivered to the sub- 

 cribers ; and as the prints are to be given exactly in 

 the order of the subscriptions, so eager are the public 

 for obtaining the finest imprefsions, that those who sub- 

 scribed early, have it now in their power to obtain a 

 very considerable premium to part with their copies to 

 others. 



BoydeJPs Milton and Thomson, 



Encouraged by the succefs of this undertaking, no 

 lefs than two proposals have been already offered to 

 the public, for an edition of the works of Milton, and 

 Thomson on the same plan. One of these was proposed 

 by a set of artists of considerable eminence. The other 

 by MeiTrs Eoydells, the editors of Shakespeare. Which 

 of the two vitIU succeed, time will determine. 



These works will exhibit to future ages, perhaps th? 

 fairest specimen of the present state of the fine arts in 

 Britain, that evo» was produced in any nation ; as it 

 docs not contain only the works of one artist, chiefly, 

 and his school, like the gallery of Farnese, and several 

 .others in Italy, but will exhibit specimens of the per- 

 formances of all the artists of eminence In this country, 

 v/ho are thus stimulated to vie with each other for pre- 

 sent emolument, as well as future fame. Nor is It the 

 painters alone, but the engravers also, w^hose works and 

 names will thus be perpetuated. So that luture ages 

 •will be able to judge very exactly of our present at- 

 tainments in theic rcspec.s. 



