Page:Notes and Queries - Series 12 - Volume 7.djvu/614

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NOTES AND QUERIES. [12 s. vn. DEC. 25, 1920.

it lies the most solid basis for the contemplated law."

A. N. N., Mar. 16, 1704.

"I chased away the evil spirit in these poets when I let them know the determination of the Republic to restore the practise of crowning the worthiest and with honours hitherto unknown. .... I have here the design of a great hall wbion I would like to add from the gardens towards the J East, to be called the Hall of Honour. Perfect .-as it will be, still more perfect will be the portraits of all those whom you name patrons and we shall liang them in all solemnity one day in the room with a festival made splendid to attract many

spectators We shall only welcome to the

Republic men already famous through published books and great learning. Then hi the same function we shall distribute several gold medals to those patrons who will have brought most benefit to letters or gained most credit with their books in that year. And in this way we shall prepare for future students a delightful history <and a fine example to be followed in study."

Ai generosi letterati d 'Italia Modena, 1705.

(Muratori attacks existing academies.) " Can -you tell them why such academies have been in- stituted, what profit, what improvement they bring to the city, to letters ? The aim may have been most noble but one cannot say truth- fully that the fruit corresponds to the intention. Discussions for the most part of a trifling nature, devoted almost always to lo ve- affairs . . . .We certainly would not like to have the Academies abolished but improved ; we would like them to be not only pleasing to the ears but also useful to the minds of both speaker and audience. It would be a better thing for our Academies if we treated seriously in them arts and sciences with- out seeking for empty applause and approval from the crowd only for our own good and the good of letters .... We can affirm quite frankly with the concurrence of the Oltramontani that Italy was the seat and realm of letters when the heritage of Greece passed to Rome .... But in the previous century [i.e., the 17th] Italy, I don't know how, allowed herself to be deprived by other nations certainly not of letters but of the merit of preeminence 'in letters and blindly per- mitted other nations more fortunate but not more talented to precede her on the way of glory which she had formerly pointed out. (Muratori attributes this to sheer laziness.) We would like "to waken up drowsy geniuses, give courage and stimuli to those already awake and on the move and we therefore beg all to join forces in a glorious wager. (He desires to gather all those academies into one, the object of which would be to perfect the Arts and Sciences with demonstration and correction of abuses and inculcation of truth.) The field is vast and we might say almost infinite but divided into innumerable parts according to genius and ability, it will be able to produce without fail the noblest fruits and a rich banquet. This would be a Union, a Republic, a League of the most estimable Italian men of letters of every condition and degree and professors of any Liberal Art or Science, the aim of which would be the reform and increase of those Arts and Sciences

for the glory of Italy, for the public and private good. From your letters hope for greatest benefit ; the Sciences and Arts stretch out their hands to you, begging you to strengthen ^ el power and their reputation. Grep* Praise, great consolation is knowl*"^ m oneself but far greater praise Iies i* 1 conversion into another one' <vii Knowledge."

With this appeal we may terminate the extracts from Muratori's correspondence, but weight must also be laid on his insis- tence on the creation of new Licei, election of lecturers and teachers, with prizes and honorary degrees to the studious who have attained highest excellence not only in teaching but in learning sciences a doc- trine that might well be put into practice now. HUGH QUIGLEY.

The University, Glasgow.

ST. PAUL'S CATHEDRAL : NINETEENTH- CENTURY CHANGES. The shadow of re- placements and changes at this Cathedral have not detracted from its popular esteem, apparently, as the building generally remains much as it was left on completion; occa- sional alterations matter very little. The provision of the Reredos in 1888 was the subject of vehement protest and I think I aro correct in attributing the setting up of the remarkable effigy of Dr. Donne to this date. Until then it formed part of the remains of the old Cathedral "preserved in a niche at the East End. ' ' I quote from one

the many pamphlets of the 'Dimensions and Curiosities ' provided for sale by the showmen -vergers.

Early in the nineteenth century a scaffold- ing and studio was temporarily erected to enable a panoramic view of the metropolis

be painted, and later a survey was made for the Board of Ordinance from this advan- ageous position. Apparently, the purpose of the scaffolding was to replace the ball and cross, and before me is a handbill dated July, 1821, of the new ball and cross being exhibited at the Concert Room, 71 and 72 St. Martin's Lane. The exhibitor informs us that the height of this "National Curio- sity " is 23 ft. and weight 7 tons. He con- cludes his appeal :

"As there is no possibility of approaching "to new this National curiosity when once placed ipon the Cathedral, and as the present oppor- tunity will be of short duration, in order 1 to gratify the scientific admirers of architecture, jvery admission ticket of one^; Shilling will admit }he Bearer a second time."

ALECK ABRAHAMS.^ '