1810.] 
apology for the length of time it has been 
in coming out, for such a number as 
this, .once a+year, is worth a dozen 
monthly numbers of trash. As the 
lioness, on being i-proached by a more 
prolific animal, “for bringing forth but 
one cub ata rales and that so seldom ; 
replied, “ But that is a lion,” 
Mr. Porster’s exertions, in forwarding 
the arts, deserve every reward; and that 
of credit, and a correct judgment, this 
work must infallibly procure him, 
INTELLIGENCE. 
On Thursday, the 18th ult. The 
Royal Academy of London celebrated 
the anniversary of her Majesty's birth- 
day, at the Crown and Anchor Tavern. 
Mr. Flaxman was in the chair, deputed 
by Mr. West, the President, who was 
unwell, Several appropriate toasts were 
drank ; among others, -“ The Propri- 
etors of the British Insti ‘tution :”” and 
the day was passed with that. har- 
mony and conviviality, as might he 
éxpected from men whose occupations 
are the highest in the scale of human 
sntelleet, and whose works are the arts 
of peace. 
On Monday, the 8thult. Mr.Soane, 
Professor of Architecture in the Royal 
Academy, commenced his course of lec- 
tures on Architecture, in the great exhi- 
bition room, at Somerset-house, tad 
crowded and respectable auditory of the 
meinbers, students, and exhibitors of the 
Academy; and has continued them 
with unabated success on the succeeding 
Monday; Mr, Svane’s first leeture was 
introductory, he began with a powerful 
appeal to the students on the importance 
of the art, and the necessity of a close 
and attentive study of its principles, Ee 
detailed the origin of building, in a 
- clear and comprehensive manner, eluci- 
dating his remarks with a numerous dis- 
play of beautiful and elegant drawiags ; 
exhibiting general plans and details of 
some of the earliest architectural. works 
of the ancient warld, and the probable 
invention of the various modes of build- 
ing, adopted by different people. 
Mr. Soane deserves the hizhest praise 
Tor the zealous and indefatigable indastry 
and liberality with which he has embel- 
Monthly Retrospect of the Fine Arts. 63 
lished his lectures, and for the learning 
and science he has shewn in their com- 
position, The students, particularly 
the architectural ones, who for eight or 
nine years, (or more,) have been left 
without a guide, must be gratified in 
receiving instructions trom an Architect 
of such experience, practice, and ability, 
as the present professor, which stan 
with practical credit, his theoretical spe= 
culations. The professor took occasion 
Wn one part of his lectures, when dilating 
on the many absurdities of the present 
times; of Egyptian shop- OU miserae 
ble and. miniature copies of Eyyptian 
moustrosities, whose gigantic style is 
appropriate to its age, its soil, its uses 5. 
to lash severely, but justly, t ny attempts 
of many men called surveyors of the 
present day, being builders, paper hang. - 
ers, &c. arrogating to themselves the 
title of architects, and uniting both the 
designer and executor of one work, which 
has certainly done more to the corrup- 
tion of true architectural taste, than any 
other of the many abuses this art’ has 
suffered, 
The continuation of Mr. Soane’s lec-. 
tures, which were not concluded when 
this article was sent to press, shall be 
given in our next. 
The first number of the new work 
called the ‘* Fine Arts of the. British 
School,” already announced, and detailed 
in this work, containing specimens of 
English, Uistorical, and ‘Portrait Paine- 
ing, Sculpture Bn Architecture, wilk 
appear the first of February, instant, 
Mr, Elmes’s Dictionary of the Fine 
Arts, and their professors, is now in the 
press, and may be expected in ihe course 
of the ensuing spring. 
ErRrata.—Owing to an error which te 
would take up too much room to explain, the 
names of both painter and engraver, of the’ 
two pictures of Henry VIII. receiving Bishep 
Sherburne ; and the interview between Saint, 
Wilfred, the expelled Archbishop of , York, 
and Cedwall, King of the West Saxons, ne-, 
ticed in our last, were omitted.—-They should 
have been engraved and published 6 by DR ing 
East: Street, Chichester, from the sriginal paint- 
ings of BERNARDI, ia the oe i gf that 
city. 
NEW 
