336 



three admirable pictures ? I hardly know 

 so beautiful a head as that of the St. John, 

 in the Parmeggiano ; and the Virgin and 

 child in the upper part, have a fine mix- 

 ture of grace and dignity : as to the two 

 Paninis, I can scarcely tell which I prefer ; 

 for that amazing assemblage of columns in 

 the opposite picture, the selva di colonne, as 

 the Italians call it, is no less beautiful 

 in its style, than this richly ornamented 

 inside of St. Peters."* 



" To say the truth/' said Mr. Seymour* 

 " we have as yet only looked at this one 

 picture." 



" How, Seymour," said the other ! " all 

 this time at one picture ! The love of paint- 

 ing has made a surprising .progress with 

 you ! but I fancy I prophesied very justly 

 when you left me." 



" You did, indeed/' said Mr. Seymour; 

 " Hamilton has made good use of his time, 



* The two Paninis, are in the collection of the Mar- 

 quis of Abercom, and eacli of them singly occupies a sid e 

 of the drawing-room at the Priory. 



