Retrofpect of French Literature—Mifcellanies. 
compliment, as the Portuguefe were then 
well acquainted with the route from the 
Moluccas to Europe, by the Cape of 
‘Good Hope. 
The biographical notice relative to the 
Chevalier Martin Behaim, a- celebrated 
Portuguefe navigator, with the defcrip- 
tion of his globe by M. de Murr, is alfo 
a very important document for the hiftory 
of navigation; it is tranflated from the 
German, by Citizen Janfen, and ‘ferves 
by way of appendix to Pigafetta’s rela- 
tion. M.de Murr, inthis learned dif- 
fertation, corrects many errors of Dr. 
Robertfon relative to Martin Behaim; 
he preves that the latter poffeffed great: 
merit, and affifted confiderably in refpect 
to the invention of the aftrolabe; but he 
maintains at the fame time, that Behaim 
had not conceived the idea of the difcovery 
of a new world, when Columbus repaired 
to Lifbon, in order to propofe his cele- 
brated project. It may not be amifs 
again to repeat, that the defcription of 
Martin Behaim’s terreftial globe is both 
curious and interefting. 
“© Voyage Pittoreique et Phifico-Eco- 
nomique dans le Jura, &c.” A Pic- 
turefque and Phyfico-Economical Journey 
through the Department of Mount Jura, 
by J. M. Lequinio, Agent Forretter, 
2 vols. 8vo. Paris, 
Thefe two volumes contain an iatereft- 
ing account of the department of Mount 
jura, by a perfon well acquainted with its 
pumerfous hills, its f{canty plains, and its 
various produStions. Mott of the inhabi- 
tants form themfelves into little focieties, 
&c. according to their proximity, for the 
purpofe of making butter, cheefe, &c, 
each member receiving his proportion, 
in the exprefs ratio of his contributions. 
As the country abounds with ponds, we 
are told that the inhabitants are at great 
pains with them, and exhibit much in- 
genuity refpecting ‘*the breeding of carp 
and other fifhes.”’ i 
MISCELLANEOUS ARTICLES. 
«De Ja Peinture, confidérée dans fes 
Effets fur les Hommes en général, &c.”? On 
Painting, confidered in the Relation of its 
Ee ffeéts on Men in general, and its Influ- 
ence on the Manners and the Government 
of Nations, by G. M. Raymond, Proteffor 
of Hiftory in the Central School of the 
Department of Mount Blanc, 1 vol. 8vo. 
Paris. 
This fubje& is treated by Raymond 
under a variety of different afpeéts, both 
moral and political. In the firft of thefe are 
neceflarily included, the deduétions a 
every oblerver muf{ make, in the inne 
617 
diate contemplation of the portraits of 
good men, and the reprefentaion of good 
actions. The arts of imitation may alfo 
be ufed with great advantage for national 
purpofes, fuch as the honouring of heroes 
and patriots, &c. The Profeflor remarks, 
that thole productions arenot the belt which 
a&t moft powerfully upon the multitude, 
and he is particularly anxious that medio- 
crity fhould never be rewarded, as in that 
ca‘e, ihe world would be ‘inundated’ with 
the performances of inferior artifts ; on the 
contrary, excellence ought to be cherithed, 
and to receive the moft diltinguifhed coun- 
tenance and fupport. 
Citizen Raymond aflerts with much pro- 
priety, that every great effect of art fhould 
poffets an impoling appearance; but he 
blames thofe who employ philofophical 
allegories, ‘as they do not inform the 
people of any thing.” 
«Des Caules Phyfiques et Morales qui 
ont influé, &c.’* On the Phyfical and 
Moral Caufes which have influenced the 
Progreis of Painting and Sculpture among 
the Greeks. A Diicourfe read before the 
Philotechnical Society, &c. by Citizen Le 
BarpBiER, fen. Member of the former 
Academy of Painting, &c. 
We learn from the preface, that this 
memoir is written by aman who is ac- 
tuated by the defire of contributing to the 
progrefs of the fine aris, “‘ which have 
already conftituted, and fhall until his laft 
figh, continue to conftituie the fupreme 
happinefs of his life.” While treating of 
the origin and progrefs of painting, {culp- 
ture, é&c, Le Barbier divides his inguiry 
into two parts: in the firft of which he 
treats of the phyfical, and in the fecond of 
the mora! caufes that have contributed to 
their perfection. He accordingly refolves 
the former of thefe into the influence of 
climate on the genius of nations; the fine 
forms and beauty of individuals ; the nae 
ture of the aliments, which aét fo power- 
ful on the temperament and conformation, 
&c. ‘ The fine arts (fays he) refemble 
plants, and demand a congenial climate— 
they will never be found to fruétify either 
on the icy banks of the Neva, or the burn- 
ing {ands of Lybia.’? He remarks that, 
both Peter the Great, and Catharine II. 
made uelefs efforts to naturalze the arts 
of imitation in Rufhia; and he afks how 
it is poflible to fuppofe that a nation ho- 
vering during three parts of the year over 
their ftoves, and perceiving nothing but 
{now and icicles from their habitations, 
can conceive the leaft idea of {miling na- 
ture? Can they paint or defcribe the 
charms of the vernal feafon? ‘* The 
feftival of Flora (adds he) will never be 
celebrated 
