~ 128 
such as has been often depicted by the 
pencil of Salvator Rosa. In the front are 
several of the disciples who have been 
baptised by John: the dove descends 
from the sky, and is observed by a group 
of figures on the right hand, amongst 
which is John the beloved disciple; he 
forms the most prominent figure in the 
piece, but his drapery, being of a scarlet 
colour, does not harmonize well with the 
rest of the picture. Nathaniel is leaning 
over his shoulder, and pointing upwards 
to the dove ; behind him is Simon, who 
seems equally interested. In the centre 
of the picture is Christ, kneeling down 
upon one knee before John the Baptist, 
who is performing the ceremony. This 
part of the picture seems to be a good 
deal obscured by the shadow of a cloud, 
and the groups of figures are not suffici- 
ently connected to form a pleasing as- 
semblage ; nevertheless the management 
of the parts, and particularly the effect 
of the Landscape, are proofs of the great- 
ness of this sublime painter. 
The Sucrament of Confirmation. 
In this pleasing group several young 
persons are represented advancing to- 
wards a reverend paster of the church, 
who is performing the ordinance of con- 
firmation: he seems to explain in a very 
earnest manner the precepts of chris- 
tianity. Achild whois kneeling down in 
the front of the picture, turns his head 
attentively towards his mother,» who 
points out to him with much earnestness, 
that his attention must be directed to the 
pastor. Deep humility and desire of in- 
formation are expressed in the features 
of an interesting young female, who is 
represented in a kneeling posture. A 
silent and marked attention is obvious in 
all the faces of the spectators in the back 
ground, and the principal figure of the 
young man in front is finely character- 
ized. The draperies are large flowing 
and fuli of dignity, the features of all the 
figures are animated and well varied; 
the colouring also is delightful and har- 
monious, and the whole forms a most 
interesting group 
The Sacrament of Ordination. 
This last picture of the series repre- 
gents our Divine Teacher presenting the 
keys to St. Peter. In our Saviour’s head 
there is much dignity and expression; the 
fieure of Peter displays a suitable humi- 
lity and deep expression of regard. In 
the disciples there is a pleasing variety 
of attitude and drapery, which tends very 
ec 
-ynuch te divest the subject of that for- 
lity, which it would otherwise have had. 
4& 
Lalande’s History of Astionomi for 1806. 
[Sept. 1, 
In speaking of the works of Pous- 
sin in general, we may observe, that few 
painters ever lived whose fame has en- 
creased so much in the course of time 
and succeeding ages. The truth is, that 
there is an inimitable charm in all his 
pictures, resulting from a simplicity in 
the action aud expression of his figures, 
which seem to be indeed moulded by 
the hand of Truth; the draperies, features, 
and extremities are all carefully formed 
and jomed witha serupulosity highly ho- 
nourable to that patience and love of the 
art, which must have inspired and ele- 
vated his genius. 
( Lo be continued. ) 
SS 
For the Monthly Magazine. 
HISTORY ef astRoNoMyY for 1806. By 
JEROME DE LALANDE, 
N the History of Astronomy for 1806, 
the comet discovered by M. Pons, at 
Marseilles, deserves first to be noticed. 
It was observed by this astronomer in the 
morning of the 11th of November, and 
is the 97th with which we are acquaint- 
ed, according to the catalogue given in 
my Astronomie, and in the different vo- 
lumes of the Connoisances des Tems, pub- 
lished since the year 1792. It is the 
sixth which M, Pons has discovered since 
1801. M. Thulis, director of the Obser- 
vatory, viewed it as accurately as the 
weather would permit; but the months 
of November and December are ex- 
tremely unfavourable to astronomical pur- 
suits, even at Marseilles. This comet 
was very small, shapeless, without any 
sensible nucleus, and not visible to the 
naked eye. On the 9th of November, at 
i7h. mean time, it had 181° 3’ right as- 
cension, and 2° of northern declina- 
tion. 
As soon as I received this intelligence, 
I communicated it to M. Bouvard and 
M. Burckhardt, at Paris, the latter of 
of whom furnished us, on the following 
day, with the elements of its orbit, and 
continued to observe it; on the 18th of 
December, at i6h. 26’ mean time, it had 
-1ih. 12’ 41” of right ascension, and 32° 
57’ of declination: it advanced to the 
south with great rapidity, and was not 
ageinseen until the 25th of January. 
The following were the elements calcu- 
lated on the 29th of January :—inclina- 
tion 35° 6’; nodes 10* 22° 13’; perihe- 
lion 3° 5° 57’; passage, 28th of Decem- 
ber, at 20 hours, movement retrograde ; 
perilelion distance 1080. It was then 
visible in the evening, |. ving returned at. 
29° of south declination, and at 20° of 
right 
—_ ~~ o* ei Se 
