62 British Association for the Advancement of Science. 



dently the Prime Minister in the act of speaking, whose features 

 strongly resemble those on the gems of Mascenas above described. 

 Next to him is Agrippa, who is readily recognized from medals, 

 coins, and statues of him. Horace also is found in the group. A 

 copy of this painting was bought by Dr. Mead, and brought to 

 England by him ; and an engraving of it may be seen in Turn- 

 bull's Essay on ancient Painting. 



" This was the extent of antiquarian research and acquisition 

 concerning Maecenas during the last preceding half century, 

 when, in the spring of 1830, a bust Avas found in an excavation 

 made by Prof. Manni, at Carsoli, the ancient Carsuli, about sev- 

 enty miles from Rome, on the Plaminian Way. Tliis place is 

 situated in what is esteemed the most beautiful and romantic 

 district of the Roman territory, being near the cascades of the 

 Nera, at Terni, and midway between the towns of Terni, Todi, 

 and Spoleto. 



" The bust was of colossal size, the same as that presented to 

 the Society, of pure Parian marble, and perfect in every featm*e. 

 On being cleai'ed of its incrustation, the modelling of the work 

 was seen to be of that masculine firmness which characterizes 

 the style of the epoch of Augustus, excelling in what is called a 

 broad manner, — the execution that of a master, — with the great- 

 est severity and grandeur ; the emaciation by age of the individ- 

 ual represented being faithfully preserved. The striking resem- 

 blance of the bust to the gems and picture of Maecenas, was at 

 once recognized by the most eminent antiquaries and learned 

 men at Rome. 



" It may be interesting to state, in further confirmation of the 

 high value which has been set upon the bust, in Italy, as also 

 because the circumstance enhances the gift of Prof. Manni, that 

 it has been twice copied by Thorwaldsen. One copy was pre- 

 sented to the Grand Duke of Tuscany, and by him placed in the 

 Hall of the Academy of Petrarch, at Arezzo, as being the pre- 

 sumed birth-place of Maecenas ; the other to the king of Naples, 

 who caused it to be deposited in the Borbonico Museum at Naples." 



Objects of interest in Liverpool. — In the musemns, &c., of the 

 Royal Institution, the attention is first directed to a series of 

 ancient paintings, from the collection of the late Mr. Roscoe, 

 illustrating the progress of the art. The department of Natural 

 History is remarkable, and contains some rare specimens,— to 



