We shall now turn our attention to the Musee central des Aro, formed in the Lou vre at. Paris, composed from the best col lections on the Continent, and conse quently consisting of the finest specimens of human art extant, which money could not procure, and supreme power alone could command from their previous situa tions, in the different circles of Germany, Holland, and the states of Italy. The only circumstance tending to alleviate the regret arising from this universal plunder is, the thought that every facility is afford ed for viewing and studying the excel lence of the various articles, which can be expected or desired. The method adopted for arranging the paintings thus assembled is judicious, as they are classed in nations, by which means the eye is conducted gradually to the acme of the art in the works of the Italian masters.
The gallery of antiquities is directly below the gallery of pictures; and to give some idea of the nature of the ge neral contents, we shall mention the names of the several divisions, which are: La Salle de Saisons, la Salle des Hommes illustres, la Salle des Romaine, is Salle de [.cocoon, la Salle de l'Apollon, and la Salle des Muses. The laocoon, which we have noticed in our account of the Va tican, here receives distinguished honour within a space railed in • and the Apollo Belvidere is equally honoured in giving name to one of the halls. These ex quisite works are described in a cata logue which may be obtained in the gal lery; and of the manner we shall ven ture to give a specimen, hoping that a similar method may be adopted to ex plain the objects offered to view in our museums. Under the head rythian Apollo, called the Apollo Belvidere, the author of the Catalogue observes, " This statue, the most sublime of those preserved by time, was found, near the close of the fif teenth century, twelve leagues from Rome, at Capo D'Anzo, on the borders of the sea, in the ruins of ancient Actium, a city equally celebrated for its Temple of Fortune, and for its pleasant mansions, erected by successive emperors, which, emulous of each other, they decorated with the most rare and excellent works of art. Julius H. when a cardinal, ob tained this statue, and placed it in the pa lace where he resided, near the church of the Holy Apostles. After his eleva. tion to the pontificate, he had it removed to the Belvidere of the Vatican, where it remained three centuries, an object of universal admiration. A here, conducted by victory, drew it from the Vatican, and causing it to be conveyed to the banks of the Seine, has fixed it there for ever." Another museum established at Paris, since the return of order, is that of the National those were indis criminately destroyed, or mutilated, dur ing the first frantic emotions of the late revolution; and this act contributed not a little to the general dislike it excited : at length the most enlightened part of the National Convention decreed imprison ment in chains to those who should thence forward injure or destroy the marble and bronze records of their country. Le
Noir, a Mil of taste and learning, seized this opportunity for rescuing the French nation from the reproach it bad incurred by destroying what was honourable to themselves; and conceived that, though tale, it might still be possible to collect whole monuments in some instances, and fragments in others, sufficient to interest foreigners in favour of his country, or at least to evince to them that a change in sentiment had occurred. Fortunately, his plan received public encouragement, and he has, through the assistance of govern ment, procured an astonishing number of specimens from all parts of the kingdom. Mr. Pinkerton observes of this collection, "It will not escape the attention of the reader of taste, that the arrangement is confused, nay, often capricious, and is ca pable of great improvements." And Le Maistre says upon the same subject, " After several hours employed in this second view, I continue of my former opinion, that the spot (formerly a con vent) in which these monuments are col lected, is infinitely too small ; that the garden, meant to be the tranquil site of sepulchral honours, and the calm retreat of departed grandeur, is on so limited a scale, is so surrounded with adjoining houses, and altogether so ill arranged, that instead of presenting the model of s Those deep solitudes.......
Where heav'nly pensive contemplation dwells, And ever musing melancholy reigns,' it might easily be mistaken for the working yard of a statuary. or the pleasure ground of a tasteless citizen, decked out with Cupids, Mercuries, and Fawns." Both these authors, however, agree in prais ing the motives and perseverance of Le Noir.
Oxford has the honour of having pro duced the first, and not the least import ant museum England, which was found ed in 1679, and the building completed in 1683, at the expense of the university ; the students, the public, and the profes sors of which, are indebted to Elias Ash mole, Esq. for an invaluable collection of interesting objects, presented by him for their use, and immediately placed within it ; since which period it has been called the Ashmolean museum. The structure of the Corinthian order of architecture, has a magnificent portal : and the variety and urine of the articles contained in it renders a visit to the apartments highly gratifying, particularly as they are increas ed to time, and as often as rare objects can be procured.