The Repository of Arts, Literature, Fashions &c

and not a painted surface, without || do the other thousands of houses in depths or other perspective than what the city exhibit no sign of firing it derives from the skill of the artist. within? This mixture of principles The whole may, nevertheless, be is in bad taste. The diorama ought pronounced a triumph in this style to stand upon its own ground-to of art. afford a more irresistible deception to the eye, and through the eye to the understanding, than any other arrangement in the art of painting; but beyond this it should not attempt to go. We cannot, however, deny, that though this piece is inferior to those which have been exhibited here, still it possesses merit, interest, and attraction sufficient to gratify the most fastidious visitor.

The view of Brest, though it has some striking effects, cannot be rated so highly. The massive towers and walls on the right indeed impose upon the imagination. The water too is made to move, and to take alternate lights and shades: but when the waves rise and fall, how happens it that the vessels remain stationary? One or two of the chimneys absolutely emit smoke: but why

INTELLIGENCE, LITERARY, SCIENTIFIC, &c.

THE forthcoming volume of the Forget Me Not will form a peculiarly interesting present for the festive Christmas season. Its embellishments consist of twelve very highly finished engravings by first-rate artists; and the literary department is enriched with contributions from many eminent writers, such as Montgomery, Barton, Wiffen, Neele, Bowring, the Author of " Doblodo's Letters," &c. &c. Those who wish to possess this work would do well to make early application to their respective booksellers, to prevent the recurrence of the disappointment suffered last year by great numbers, owing to the exhaustion of a very large impression several days before Christmas.

Mr. Ward's masterly Lithographic Delineations of celebrated Horses are just completed. They form a series of fourteen subjects, which are equally calculated to gratify the admirers of that noble animal and the lovers of the arts.

ges; Mahommedan Mosque and Tombs near Benares, and the Fort of Chunagurh on the Ganges.

Mr. Buchanan's Memoirs of Painting, with a Chronological History of the Importation of Pictures by the great Masters into England since the French Revolution, are ready for publication, in two 8vo. volumes. This work has the strongest claims to the notice both of the artist, the connoisseur, and the dealer in pictures.

In the press, and speedily will be published, with embellishments, in one volume large 8vo. Saint Baldred of the Bass, a Pictish legend; The Siege of Berwick, a tragedy; with other poems and ballads, descriptive of East Lothian and Berwickshire, by James Miller.

Captain Charles Cochrane has in the press, An Account of a Twenty Months' Residence in Colombia; and from the favourable opportunities which he enjoyed for close and attentive observation, it is expected to throw much light on the state of that important country.

The fourth number of LieutenantColonel Forrest's Picturesque Tour of the Rivers Ganges and Jumna, in India, just ready for publication, will contain views of a Sacred Tank and Pagodas near Benares; City of Benares from the Gan- "more private opinions on various sub

An additional volume of Letters by Anna Seward, developing the progress of an early attachment, disclosing her

jects, and embracing numerous anecdotes of her contemporaries, is preparing for publication. An Essay on Miss Seward's Life and Character, by Mr. Harral, will be prefixed.

A Chemical Society, the object of which is to promote the study of chemistry in all its branches, has just been formed in London. From the regulations which have been published, though the "

design is not very explicitly described, it appears that there are to be ordinary meetings every fortnight; and that Lectures, Discussions, Experiments, and a LectureRoom and Library, enter into the proposed plan. The immense practical utility of chemistry in almost all the arts of civilized life render such an institution, which shall be accessible to persons of all classes, highly desirable,

Poetry.

THE TOMB OF LAURA.
By J M. LACEY.

I LOVE to stroll when others sleep,
A truant from my pillow,
And gazing o'er the rocky steep,

To view the moon-tipt billow.
No sound invades, save on the shore
The surges gently dying;

Or scarcely heard the distant oar,
Some drowsy seaman plying.
There Contemplation, pensive pow'r,
Recalls my wand'ring duty;
Or to this mind restores the hour
Of Laura's love and beauty.
Faithless, alas! as she was fair,
She scorn'd my sigh of sorrow;
Cousign'd my soul to sad despair,
Another's love to borrow.

But be, by base seductive ways,

Destroy'd her mind's best treasure; Then anguish'd grief consum'd her days, Unknown to peace or pleasure.

Soon death in mercy seal'd her doom;
She sunk on Sorrow's pillow!
Now mournful wave o'er her lone tomb
The cypress and the willow.

And oft I go, when others sleep,

To scatter new-blown roses, And heave the sigh, or sorrowing weep, Where Laura's form reposes. But Reason, ruthless pow'r, appears, And paints her ev'ry failing; Too worthless to deserve my tears, And bids me cease my wailing. Still Mercy dares assert her sway, In spite of Reason's telling; And oft I pause till peep of day

At Laura's dew-dropp'd dwelling. Then to my partial eye perchance Appears each friendly fairy,