The Sun.
London, England, 1804-05-12 00:00:00

LITERATURE AND THE FINE ARTS AT Ri):11E.

Tot Cardinal Borgia is publishing a Descriptive,
Catalogue of the Coptic Manuscripts now in his
possession, the number of which amounts to three
hundred. This Catalogue is the production of the
learned Zuega, editor of the well-known work
upon Obelisks. The author does not content him-
self with giving a notice upon each of the manu-
scripts, he likewise inserts long fragments of the
text, with a Latin translation in the margin. He
has now arrived at the forly-third manuscript. The
Vatican Library had a considerable number of
similar manuscripts, all of which have been removed
by the French. The Cardinal, a little before the
arrival of the French at . Rome, had fortunately
caused exalt copies to he taken of them, and with
these his Catalogue will commence, under the title
of CoLcer illemphitici. Next to these follow such as
have been found in the cities of Syene, Thebes, &c.
We find here not only BibleS, Ads of Councils, Ads
of the Martyrs, but likewise•historical treatises of
different countries, and a number of memoirs re-
lating to the fine arts.
The Pope ordered considerable subterranean re-
searches to be made at Ostium, during the winter
and spring of last year, which have led to the dis-
covery of several fine statues. The immoderate
heat of the summer having interrupted the career of
these labours, the government has employed the
workmen on a labour likely to prove equally use.
ful. They are now busy in the emplacement or
scite of the city, in removing the earth and ruirs
which cover the bases of the most considerable and
important monuments, such as the Colliccum, the
Arches of Titus, of Septimus Severus, &c. &c.
This labour will produce the same efFeft as that
which took place respeling the Column of Trajan,
under Sextus V. The pedestal of that column was
buried in the earth, but was afterwards exposed to
view ; and a large fosse was constructed, paved,
and encircled with a wall, on which an escalier or
gallery was made, for the purpose of making the
tour of the column. Already one part of the base
of the Arch of Septirnus Severus is open to view,
and they have discovered some pedestals of co-
lumns, decorated with bas-reliefs of great beauty.
The superintendance of this undertaking is assigned
to the celebrated Canova, the sculptor. This artist
is well known for three beautiful statues—Perseus,
an Athlem, and a Hercules, which the Pope has
caused to be placedin his Museum. Perseus:is re-
presented' at the moment when he has just cut oil
the head of Medusa, and stands in the niche, where
the Apollo of Belvidere was placed. This statue
need not have been disavowed by the best Grecian
artist. It may be observed en passant, that Pope
Pius VII. favours the arts and a taste for antiquity
with all imaginable ardour, as far as his means
will authorize him.

Engravings have been made of a number of an—
cient statues and bas-reliefs, which have hitherto
been negieded. The stibterraneous researches at
Ostia go on with considerable success : besides a
number of pillars, statues, and pieces of Mosaic
work, 800 coins have been fund, chiefly bronze,
and for the most part of the times of Trajan and
Adrian ; among them are two very rare ones of
Pertinax. Architature, it is also expefted, will
receive a rich accession from the antiquities of the
same age, in the discovery of some of those --very
rare porphyry stones, Nero antic°. New' researches
have also begun to be made at the foot of the Ca-
pitol, and the Triumphal Arch of Septimus Seve-
rus. At the depth of i a feet, the bases of the pillars
have been laid open, and are discovered to be adorn.
ed all around with the most beautiful bas-reliefs.
Similar researches have been begun around the
Temple of Faustina, and other parts of the Carnpo
Vaccino. Among the foreign artists at present
resident in Rome, the Danish statuary, Thor.
walcison, has peculiarly distinguished himself, and
is likely to prove a dangerous rival to Canova. He
has been there for the-last six years, and has in that -
time sent several small pleceS to England ; but his
last work chiefly established' his reputation as a
great artist. This piece is a Jason, as large as the
life, at the moment he has got possession of the
golden fleece ; and it is looked upon as one of the
most beautiful pieces of sculpture in modern times.
He his now begun upon the same figure again in a
beautiful block Of marble for Mr. Hope, of Am.
sterdam, who has agreed to give Soo ducats for it.
He is besides emplOyed on a bas-relief, which repre-
sents the taking away of Briseis from the .tent of
Achilles. The rooms in the galleries at Florence,
which have been for some time past shut, have
again been opened, and the statues and paintings
which had been carried away from them have, as
far aspossible, been restored.

Though 2 Soldier never can do more than his
duty, yet we must all feel, that when he places him.
self in a situation more exposed than his assigned
post, he does it for a meed that justice as well as
policy should allow. The gallant Major Gil F.E-I
who led the Advanced Guard, and w,ito afterwards
fell, in a charge heading the 29th Dragoons, in the
Aaion-of the Ist November, 1803, under General
LAKE, in India, was Aid-de-Camp to the Gover_
nor-General, an appointment which in quiet times
had always kept him from his Regiment; but which
he could not allow to excuse his presence on an cc..
cision like that memorable one which proved fatal
to the spirit that sought its danger. Where all be-
have nobly, all must enjoy a general praise ; in
this, indeed, has this much. lamented Soldier shared,
and that friend (himself a Soldier) who now regret_
ting his loss, offers to the memory of his social
virtues this feeble tribute, would, that his presence
had enabled him to speak more of the gallant spit it
which, from the private chamtler of Major GKti
11TH, and term his forward condua in the first in_
stance alluded to, he is per,oaded he should have had
an opportunity of doing. 1k was open, generous;
friendly,
,and sincere; a 5 such, bas left many ro
lament his insi, hut some'mhst sadiy, who have
but the 'Spartan Consolation to -suipvrt their grief,
and, in their resignation, thank the Gods he did ins
duty,