ASTLE-HOWARD. 67 



eling descriptions from the pens of the most pictur- 

 esque and impressive authors. 



In passing from one room to another, fresh 

 objects interest the mind of the visitor ; one beau- 

 tiful scene after another arrests his eyes, animates 

 his feelings, and excites astonishment in his heart. 

 Beautiful columns, walls painted with the most 

 significant devices, statues, busts, marbles of va- 

 rious descriptions, bronzed figures, urns, curious 

 cabinets, tapestry, precious stones, and many other 

 rare and valuable specimens of antiquity, are pre- 

 sented to his notice. 



Like the other decorations of this beautiful man- 

 sion, 



THE PAINTINGS 



must be seen, to form a correct judgment of them. 

 The three Marys, by Anibale Caracci, are most 

 admired. In this astonishing picture all the excel- 

 lencies of painting are united The expression 

 which is given in it engages the feelings, and trans- 

 ports the imagination to the very scene. The 

 entombing of Christ, by Ludovico Caracct, the 

 finding of Moses, by Don Diego Valesquez, the 

 adoration of our Saviour, painted by Mabuse, the 

 portrait of Snyders, by Vandyke, Herodias with 

 the head of John the Baptist in a charger, by 

 Reubens, the circumcision, by Giovanni Bellini, 

 Isaac going to be sacrificed, by Rembrandt, St. 

 John the Evangelist, by Domenichino, and the 

 portrait of Omai, by Sir Joshua Reynolds, are 

 very much admired. To these are added a great 



