such that we could acquiesce in it, and be content not to experience a declension. We have always been under the necessity of urging all our powers 'to advance, to press forward, to rise to degrees of excellence, not yet fairly to be claimed by Britain, though attainable; as is proved by the instance of other countries. Individual merit com bined becomes national merit; and it is in vain to wish for national merit without en couraging, supporting, and rewarding the merit of individuals. If the Professor i starving, what is likely to be the state of art? but the professor must starve, unless from some quarter his abilities may hope for a steady remuneration, and an honourable patronage. What is still more remarkable, this congelation invariably takes place at the bed of this iver in one night, and before the surface of he stream is frozen at all. The river Stour and the Avon unite, at Christ Church: the former was never known to produce this species of Ice, even in the severest seasons; while the latter is seldom, if ever, without it. Its being found and appropriated to this river alone, together with the cause of its formation, and its effects, is truly surprising. Many have examined its nature and its qualities; but no satisfactory account of its peculiarities has ever been given. To aid every attempt in this investigation, I must not omit to observe, that the river Avon flows through a gravelly soil; that a great number of brooks, of a chalybeate and ferruginous quality, which take their rise in the bogs and morasses of the New Forest, empty themselves into this river in its windings to the sea; in other respects there is nothing singular or uncommon in this river, or any way different, but in this particular, from all others in the kingdom. I must observe, that no Ground Ice was ever seen in any of these brooks, the waters of which are certainly very much impregnated with iron, but when frozen are covered with the usual Ice. Its rarity in all other rivers, and its peculiarity to this, its tough and woolly nature, which renders it Under these disadvantages, and others almost unmanageable before the sun is up, which we need not particularize, we have and when risen its brittleness so as to yield to occasionally rejoiced in contemplating the any resistance, though many feet under evidence that the Arts have maintained themwater, are points totally unexplained at pre-selves so respectably as they have done. We sent; but they are such as merit the attention of your learned readers, whose information on this extraordinary subject, and on which I have thrown every possible light within my knowledge, will be thank fully received. Yours, &c. J. W. Sopley, March 2. FINE ARTS. BRITISH INSTITUTION. War is, in its nature, at all times prejudicial to the Arts: even the rumour of war has its effect; what then must be the consequences attendant on a war of long continuance? In a period of twenty years the professors of any art are nearly all removed by the course of nature, which knows no difference when commissioned to strike the fatal stroke; skill and ignorance, talent and incapacity, fall undistinguished. If there be no inducements to the rising generation to devote themselves to these studies, by what mean shall that practical part of art, which is traditional, be perpetuated? -and what shall induce this self-devotion during the alarms, the anxieties, and the uncertainties of a state of warfare? The condition of the Arts in our island never has been Some of the arts demand a practice and stu dy assiduously prolonged for many years, be fore they attain a considerable degree merit: so that, if merit in these branches be suddenly demanded, it is not to be found. Fashion, too, has its influence, independent of deserved reputation; and personal connec tions, or other adventitious circumstances, which are usually ascribed to Fortune: these sometimes flow in upon a professor so that ke scarcely knows how to fulfil his engagements; at other times they ebb so strongly away from him, that no power he possesses can retain them. have, indeed, lost the elder artists; but we have seen a generation rising to supply their places; and that too in many departments, with talents rather diverse than inferior. The patrons of Art have also been liberal toward distinguished merit, and the Institution on which we are now to report, stands as an honourable demonstration that merit need not abandon it. self to despondency, nor Waste its sweetness on the desart air. The difficulty of stating the opinions formed by criticism on works of art, and of conveying intelligible observations to those who have never seen the subjects, has been felt by us on sundry occasions. It has been felt by our contemporaries also, and they have adopted various means by which to elude, rather than overcome it. For our parts we have preferred the sugges tion of considerations which might tend to benefit art itself: whether by pointing out errors, which correct taste would avoid, or by proposing improvements, which judgment would warrant, and which, in fact, it demands. We shall pursue that method on this occasion; and we desire that no artist will think himself slighted because his performance is " passed over as if it were unde serving of criticism. In most instances, we e honestly say, that would not be true; while in others we may say, with equal truth, that we see little to censure, or to be altered; and that little we cannot render intelligible to general readers, to whom the pages of our work must be addressed. The first thing we shall observe on, is the general average of merit presented in these rooms. This is very respectable, and it suffers to drawback from the admission of any strikingly inferior performances. There are none which ought to have been excluded on account of insufficient execution. The Historical compositions are, indeed, subject to remark, because the manner of thinking is a consider ble part of such pieces, and manifests norance, or knowledge, judgment or want of discretion, to the learned eye: the truly well-informed critic can support his opinion en this particular, by arguments intelligible all. The Fancy pieces are usually indulged with more favour: and these, if they do not disgrace their pretensions, are allowed to pass, although their merit be not of the first order. We are happy to remark, that nothing of what the French term polissonnerie disgraces this branch of British art: ever may this distinction be justly claimed by our ingenious Countrymen ! The department of Landscape is highly respectable: it partakes of an interesting, yet exilted tone. This branch of art may be studied with advantage in our own country, and does not demand, so much as some others, an acquaintance with the productions or possessions of foreign parts. Not that we niean to undervalue the landscapes presented by Italy, or the effects of lighter air, and less vapourous skies. But, we confess, whatever may be thought of our Virtu, that we have seen landscape compositions, in which English principles, objects, and effects, only, had been studied, which could not have been improved by the assistance of any Italianizing imitations whatever. Portraits are, with great propriety excluded from this assemblage: this is not that branch of art which most needs encouragement: we are sure of finding enough of thein at Somerset House. We are happy in being able to report, that in a very short time after the opening of this gallery, performances to the amount of £1,500 were disposed of: and we have every reason to believe that the spirit of purchase was not likely to decline. We derive great pleasure, also, from the respectable and increasing list of subscribers. It includes most of the eminent patrons of art: and is honourable to the on and to the individual, no less than to art. ft will be remembered, that during the summer season of last year, many favours, + The Brick Gugm were conferred on art, by those who lent pictures, &c. for the purpose of being studied. We shall notice a few subjects distinctly. The Music Master by Mr. W. Sharp.This picture has much expression, and general merit. It obtained the premium, anno 1808. Nevertheless, we do not augur from it, any thing very great in the future life of the author. It is an imitation of a Dutch scene, and affects to remind us of a Dutch performance. If this was by desire of the patron, the catalogue ought to have noticed that circumstance: if it be the voluntary adoption of the artist, we must take the liberty of reminding him, that imitation is but a kind of mimicry, and mimicry never yet distinguished an original genius. Imogen found at the Cave of Belarius. Cymbeline, act IV. scene 2. by G. Dawe.~ This picture manifests ingenuity, and has much inerit in parts. The chief error which struck our observation was, the discrepancy between the sunshine morning effect, falling on the figures, and the other parts of the picture, which have no indications of sunshine, at all. We instance particularly the sky, which is in direct contrast to any sky that nature ever presented, when the sun's rays were so vigorous on the earth. As to the clumsy contrivance of supposing that these rays pass through peep-holes made on purpose, no true artist would have recourse to it; and even in that case, the scene would partake more than this picture does of the general effect produced by such an accident. An inadvertence of a different kind is committed by J J. Masquerier, in his picture X of the Minstrel playing on his harp before the Duchess of Buccleugh. He has represented the boy-attendant on the minstrel as holding the harp. Now, a moment's reflection would have convinced the artist, that no performer could do justice to the tones of his instrument, under such a circumstance; since the vibrations of the body of it would be checked, by this impediment to their continuity. We would also remind Mr. Hall, who has painted the apparition of the Ghost of Patroclus to Achilles," that-we speak with great deference, as not professing to have drawn our Observations from ghostly naturewe doubt, whether the thin aerial substance, which is usually understood to be the vehicle, by means of which disembodied spirits render themselves visible to bodily eyes, is subject to the laws of light and shade, as solid bodies are. No smart touches, should, in our opinion, bring forward the figure of a spirit. His armour, too, should be as immaterial as himself: for, to suppose, that a helmet of brass, or a helmet in any wise approaching to the weight of a helmet of brass, should be sustained by a spiritual appearance, has, in our judgement, very much the air of an incongruity. : It is true, that the poets endow their ghosts with speech, and some other properties of living bodies: but this they cannot help. They never attribute to them a tangible shape: Ulysses could discern his mother in the shades; but he could not clasp her and though the other ghosts flitted away from his sword, yet had he by accident struck one of them, he had but cleft the air-the misty air. If Mr. Lecount had properly considered his subject, he never would have represented Elijah standing on Mount Horeb, when the Lord passed by. I. Kings V. 11. The humblest posture of adoration, prostration, reverence would have been more proper: even kneeling is not sufficient: the face should be bowed down to the earth; and the hands clasped over the head, expressing the party's dread of the possibility, even, of accidental gazing, on an object of so great veneration. Barker's picture of The Maniac has an uniformity of sentiment throughout it, which preserves its effect as a whole, and does great credit to the judgement and true taste of the artist. No part, no spot of this picture, glares, to divide, and thereby diminish the effect, consequent on the spectator's attention. The hue is throughout gloomy, melancholy, afflictive. Whether the pencil should select such subjects, we do not here enquire: but if the artist determine to treat such an one, he surely ought to put forth all the strength of his art; and this Mr. Barker has done. Mr. Cook's Cymon looks like a fool: he is not even capable of being metamorphosed into a sensible man: we apprehend, therefore, that this is not the Cymon of Dryden. There are other performances in this class, well deserving attention: especially those which have been painted for prizes: but our limits command us to omit them. The picture which obtained the premium given in the class of landscape painting, Linnell's Removing Timber in Autumn is really a wonderful picture. Certainly, it is not faultless; but when we are given to understand that it is the production of a lad of seventeen, we are ready to do it ample justice. If Mr. Linnell devotes himself to study, he will become an eminent artist. But, we caution him against vanity, against indocility of spirit; and above all against the debaucheries, by which Moreland was lost to the arts and to himself: his first picture, we remember, was a country scene not absolutely unallied in subject to this which we are commending. We find various other landscapes marked by us on our catalogue good; such as, several by Sass; by Barker; by Drummond; by Stowers; by Daniel; Arnauld's Chapel in Roslin castle; and Turner's Sun rising through vapour. On the latter we w observe, that Mr. T. has admitted in water, which is precisely the reflection o clouds, a slight tinge of pinkish co which the clouds themselves do not po This diminishes the verisimility of the te tion. The picture, nevertheless, is admin We cannot close this article, without gratulating the British nation on the ge is felt, and will be felt, throughout inerit of the arts. The benefit has been manufactures, and whatever depends on f come more correct. This Institution will and composition. The taste of the public is take of the praise and the gratification. It spread, also, over our country; for al we have seen the advertisements of Northern Society, who propose to oper other provincial metropolis's will follow Exhibition at Leeds; and we doubt not, example. OBSERVATIONS ON THE TERMS EMPLO IN DELIVERING VERDICTS BY CORON JURIES. To the Editor of the Literary Panora the following subject, I request the favou SIR, Much wishing to gain informatio your correspondents to give such as they be able. There appears of late to be a rent mode of delivering verdicts by coro juries from what there formerly was. W this practice arose, and what occasioned i verdicts, when people were found dead, the object of my inquiry. Instead of "Accidental ""Lunacy "-" Suicide "Wilful murder, by a person or per unknown" or, "died by the visitation God," we often now see others given, wh describe the more immediate manner which the person died, and the situation t were found in, as strangled by suspens with a cord"—" Suffocated by water," &c. One circumstance, which lately occurr I shall quote in the exact words in whic was informed a verdict was given: Fol drowned without any marks of violence: what means we cannot tell." This was ani quest taken at the Hare public-house, on Hackney-road, on the body of an unfortun young woman, which was found in a po in London field, on Thursday morning, 11 August last. Such a verdict may be perfec agreeable to the evidence given; but sure should not preclude further inquiries into t cause of such a melancholy catastrophe. I am, Sir, yours, &c. March 8, 1809. AN INQUIRER. ACCOUNT OF THE CANAL OF MURCIA The statements which we have given to the Public under the title of VIEWS IN SPAIN, have been distinguished by the judicious, and have been the subjects of considerable discussion. They described the attention of the Spanish government as having been directed to internal improvement, and to plans intending the welfare of the country The following paper may be accepted in proof of the readiness with which the king listened to such proposals; while at the same te it discloses that want of firmness which ffered him to yield his sanction to what he Bight rather to have opposed by his most decisive veto. If Spain had not in itself a sufficient number of capitalists, who would choose to invest a portion of their overplus wealth in a local undertaking for the benefit of their country, but must raise in foreign Eations a loan to support the enterprise, it should appear to be the very opposite to sound policy in every form to give these strangers reason to complain of bad faith. For then, should assistance from abroad be wanted on any future occasion, however urgent, with what hopes could foreigners be again solicited? Their object was well known to be revenue, ot patriotism; and a great revenue in this instance would have given a firmness to Spanish proposals in various other ways, and 07 many other occasions. The miser counteracted the politician. This ; deficient in unity. It resembles not a spider's web: the impulse which affects any one thread, how distant soever, is not felt along the line nor does it reach the center: it is a series of inclosures, each separated from those adjacent to it; and still more from those at a distance. Should the time come when one heart, one voice, one sentiment, one counsel, one authority, shall animate Spain, that truly great, and may be, not only one of the country will assume the character of a nation most powerful, but, what is of infinitely higher consequence to its citizens, one of the most virtuous and most happy on the face of the earth. The canals that have been dug in Spain have not had for their principal object the facilitation of interior communication, but have chiefly, if not solely, been intended for the conveyance of water, through districts, the of languor, from a deficiency of that indispenagriculture of which lay dormant, or in a state sable element. Valencia boasts an extensive and useful undertaking of this nature; and other parts of Spain have similar cuts, but on a smaller scale, for the purposes of irrigation. Experience having shewn the great benefit in 1775 in Murcia, the extent and object of derived from them, a canal was undertaken which will best appear from the following Plan for negociating a loan of fifteen millions of livres tournois for the making of a navigable canal in the kingdom of Mur cia. "This negociation is opened at Madrid, at the house of Dn. Juan Soret, and shares in paper is also curious, as it shews the principal commercial cities of Europe. It the proposed loan may be obtained in the state of much of the Agricultural departments will be secured on mortgage of the revenues of in Spain; also the calculations made in resthe canal, of its privileges, properties, perpect to their produce, &c. Nor is less remark-missions, and prerogatives, granted to the de the felicity of that climate which admits royal company, under the arm of Pradez and of the canals being bordered with "lemon, majesty, and his superior council of Castile, company, by the royal Cedulla of his Catholic crange, mulberry, and olive trees: these dated the 4th June 1775. alone, by the side of a permanent body of Experience having demonstrated the great Water, must have yielded no trifling profit; advantage of canals for the watering of diswhile as ornaments, by their beauty, and by such, in particular, as are found in the kingtricts in Spain, in fertilizing those lands, their fragrance, as well as their fruit; they dom of Murcia, which for want of a necessa❤ old not but be highly grateful and delight-ry supply of moisture are otherwise barren fai to all who were availing themand unproductive; and the necessity being ves of this mean of conveyance. To im- also apparent of an interior navigation for the prove its agriculture, Spain stands in need of purpose of conveying timber from the other any such canals: partly for irrigation, and side of Loria to the dock yards at Carthagena, party to ensure a more easy, extensive, and rtain medium of intercourse between its es, ports, and distant provinces. Spain ingdom composed of kingdoms; it is Vol. VI. [Lit. Pan. May, 1809.] * This is a translation from a French version of the original Spanish, which was circulated in France and Holland when this loan was negotiating, among the monied men of those countries. M for which the time of ten years is allowed b the said cedulla, but which the Compan hope to effect in six years; they having ob tained from the king the aid of a number galley slaves to perform the heaviest labou and purposing to commence their operation in several places at the same time. which at the same time would open a ready | be solely devoted to the making of the canal means of exporting the various articles produced in the country, d of conveying thither from the Mediterannean such goods as are requisite for its consumption; His Catholic majesty, with his superior council of Castile has, in consequence, granted unto Messieurs Pradez and Company permission to form a canal for irrigation and navigation in the kingdom of Murcia, with the property of the said canal, for the period of one hundred and ten years; which canal will be formed by the waters of the rivers Castril, Guardal, Maria, Velez, and of several other rivulets and springs; and will be carried through the towns of Lorca, Totana, the districts of Alama, Levrilla, Alcantarilla, Murcia, Fuentes Alamo, the city and port of Carthagena, and will terminate near the point of cape Palos. The navigable canal will be forty-three leagues in length, and with its branches, will water an extent of at least 450,000 fanegas of land, each comprising 31,750 superficial square feet. His Catholic majesty, with his superior council of Castile, has empowered the company to levy on the proprietors of the land through which the canal passes, for watering duty;-for the first thirty years, one sixth part of the crops of grain, and one eighth part of those of wine, oil, and other produce; for the next twenty-five years, one seventh of the grain, and one ninth of other produce; for the next twenty-five years, one eighth of the grain, and one tenth of other produce,and for the last thirty years, one tenth of the grain, and one eleventh of other produce ;with power of discretionary possession of such lands as are intentionally suffered by the proprietors to lie uncultivated for two successive years; such lands to become in that case the irredeemable property of the company. A large sum of money being requisite for carrying into execution an enterprise of this nature; his Catholic majesty, with his superior council of Castile, has authorised by his royal cedulla aforesaid Messrs. Pradez and Company to negotiate a loan of fifteen millions of livres tournois, on life annuities; and has allowed them to mortgage, as security for such loan, the canal, its dependencies, revenues, properties, and privileges. In order to secure to the concerned in the loan the punctual payment of their annuities, his Catholic majesty, with his superior council of Castile, has appointed, as director of the funds and revenues of the said canal, Don Juan de Acedo Rico, member of the superior council of Castile; whose office it will be to take care that they be not diverted to any private purposes, that the revenues be not employed for the payment of any dividend to the undertakers until after payment of the annuities, and that the money raised by loan His Catholic majesty, with his superi council of Castile, has further granted to th company by the said royal cedulla, in fu property and for ever, 53 Castilian vara being 224 French toises, of the land on eac side of the said canal, making together superficies of 11,160 fanegas of land. Th Company are to plant this space with lemor orange, mulberry, and olive-trees, the la mentioned to be the most numerous. Cort saw, and fulling mills, lavatories for line and, in short, all other manufactories, works of public utility, for which the variou points of the canal are adapted, are to be als established along its bauks. This ground when thus brought into value; has been est mated, by comparison with other land of th same nature, to be worth 800 piastres pe fanega. Taking it however only at one ha of this valuation, the landed property thu secured to the company forms a capital equa to 16,740,000 livres tournois, and is so muc tangible security to the lenders. By the said cedulla the company have like wise obtained a grant of all mines that ma be discovered in the scite of the canal, an in the 53 varas of land on each side of it grant ed to them; the exclusive privilege of th navigation and fishery of the canal for th space of one hundred and ten years, and afte that time permission for ever to have twent vessels on the canal, of the largest size which it may be susceptible, free of all duties the free use of the public and private stor quarries along its course; the right of grazin their cattle in the public pastures; the unre strained liberty of exporting provisions free duty; together with many other privilege and immunities unnecessary to detail in thi place. It is here, however, worthy of obser vation, that the duties for watering the land calculated at the very lowest, and deductin all costs of management, and the annuitie on the projected loan, will leave a balance in favour of the Company, of 2,937,000 livre per annum, as appears by the accompanyin estimate; and that, in consequence of th measures adopted for carrying on the canal which will be finished in six years, the reve nues or profits will commence after the thin year, when it is calculated they will amoun to two millions of livres, and thenceforwar be progressively increasing. The Company must render an annual ae count to the director of the funds and revenue of the canal, and to the superior council |