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212  No. V. Of Curiosities found in Herculaneum.

upon the snow tending to the S. E. and that it is from the N. W. they are propagated over the whole face of the sky; and he adds, that they are so strong there at night, when the moon does not shine, that one can read distinctly by them.

I hope, the gentlemen, who are now going towards the North Pole, will be very careful to observe in what point of the compass these lights generally arise there, and whether they originally proceed chiefly from the W. or from the E. also; for, if we even suppose Dr. Halley's theory to be true, there may be more openings to the inner globe than that one, which seems to be to the N. W. of Hudson's-bay.

I am, Sir,
Your constant reader, 
J. N.

To the ELECTORS of Great Britain.
REMEMBER what one of our most eminent writers has said; ENGLAND CAN NEVER BE UNDONE BUT BY A PARLIAMENT. Is not this expressly telling you, that we lie at the mercy of Parliament for every privilege we enjoy; and should not we, for that reason, be cautious whom we chuse to represent us. More especially whenever a member vacates his seat for the acceptance of a place under the government; is not this in effect telling you that he is now listed in the Royal corps, has taken the King's money, and must do the King's business, (or, in other words, must vote as the minister directs him) or again resign? Is it not then next to infatuation to rechuse such a one, after this open declaration, that it is not YOU but HIMSELF that he meant to serve?

Is any proposition more clear; can any truth be more certainly established, than that every servant of the Crown must either do what is required of him by the minister, or he must RESIGN. If therefore you mean to preserve your rights and privileges as Englishmen, chuse independant representatives.

Consider, Gentlemen, that, if neither chartered rights, confirmed to you, by a righteous Parliament, nor long possession of your estates conveyed to you by Royal favour, can secure your property in this kingdom against the attacks of a minister supported by a venal Parliament, you can have nothing you can call your own unless you chuse for representatives honest, independent men.
TELL TRUTH.

The Explanation of the Plate, No. V. of Curiosities, found in the Ruins of Herculaneum, &c.

THESE three half-length figures represented in the fore ground of the annexed print, are in the original painting nearly as big as the life. In the back ground is a man standing in the water up to his chest, and holding in his left hand a bent or crooked staff. This is supposed by Bellicard to be the Judgment of Paris.

The colouring of these paintings, of which we have already exhibited copies, Mons. Cochin says, has, in general, neither art, beauty, nor variety. The great lights, he adds, are well enough coloured, but the semi-tints being nearly the same throughout, are of a yellowish grey or olive colour, without grace or variety: the red predominates in the shades, the line of which is of a dusky hue. Nor is there any strength in the shadows of the drapery, a defect that usually attends painting in fresco and distemper. That eminent artist does not think the weakness of the colouring in these pictures the effect of time; because they seem perfectly fresh and well preserved. Almost all the pieces are unfinished, and painted pretty much like our decorations of the theatre. The manner is grand enough, and the touches easy, but on the whole discover more boldness than skill. Such is this painter's opinion of the paintings found in Herculaneum. How just it may be we leave to the judgment of connoisseurs.

The uppermost compartment in this plate is the exact delineation of a medal, communicated by a gentleman, who is desirous of knowing the subject that it represents. The medal is in brass, has no reverse, and is exactly of the size here represented. It is in tolerable preservation, and was purchased by accident. An explanation is requested.

⁂ T. Row's favour is received; as is the Lady's Cafe. Thereon shall be properly noticed. W. B. has thrown no new light on the subject of St. Paul's Simile. The Letter on the Progress of the Sciences wants Revision: The ingenious Author is requested to shorten it. The Answer to T. Barker is postponed for want of room. The Parody, though innocent in itself, and merely a Jeu d'Esprit, is yet improper for the Gentleman's Magazine. T. B. H.'s Verses want Correction.

Transcription Notes:
Note the different shape of 'f' and the long 's' in this typeface. (F lacks the crossbar.)