Sect. II.] Sculpture^ I39 



early times we read of specimens of jieeiUC'U'ork, 

 by the hands of celebrated females, whicli attract- 

 ed much attention, and which were exhibited as 

 decorations of dwellings, and as monuments of in- 

 genious industry. But within a few years past 

 improvements have been made in this elegant art, 

 which far surpass the most renowned productions 

 of the same kind in former ages. The names of 

 several ladies might be mentioned, who have much 

 distinguished themselves by contributing to these 

 improvements; but among these the genius and 

 works of Miss Linwood, of Great Britain, hold an 

 undisputed preeminence. The needle, in the 

 hands of this lady, has become a *' formidable 

 rival of the pencil." The pieces she has Mrought 

 so far transcend, both in number and excellence, 

 all preceding attempts, that tliey may^ with great 

 justice, be placed among the distinguishing ho- 

 nours of the period under review. Perhaps no less 

 praise is due to miss Thomson, for her matchless 

 exhibition of paintings in wool. 



SECTION IL 



SCULPTURE. 



In this art the eighteenth century, though it 

 has produced some respectable masters, yet falls 

 far short of those renowned monuments which do 

 so much honour to Grecian genius. Of that por- 

 tion of skill in sculpture which has fallen to the 

 lot of modern artists, the largest share, as in former 

 periods, belongs to those of Italy. la that coun- 



