Leo the tenth was in that country an æra for knowledge and tafte, before even the terms were understood in the rest of Europe. By a comparison of the works of art produced in a barbarous age with thofe of enlightened times, it must appear that the former are defective in truth and ele

gance, and many other fubordinate properties. If we reftrict our observations to painting; the works of the BrazenAge are deficient in defign, colouring, drawing, grouping, and every other principle of the art; all which are held, and practiced as effentials, by the moderns. From the pictures which have escaped the general wreck of time and military destruction, we cannot in justice think, that the painters of ancient Greece and Rome are to be compared with those which flourished foon after the revival of the arts, and those which exift at the present time.

The sculpture of the Brazen-Agè shews a very incorrect knowledge of the human figure, an ignorance of graceful folds in the drapery-of difpofition of parts fo as to produce effect for the whole -and in ornamental foliage, a stiffness and want of taste. In our times, every thing that tends to accuracy and grace is justly confidered as the foundation of true effect, which cannot, to the learned eye, be produced by other principles.

Sculpture in all its parts was undoubtedly carried to a greater height in Greece than in ancient or modern Rome, France, or England. There are some statues and bufts, and many engraved gems, held to be fuperior in greatness of defign and accuracy of execution to any works of modern times.

The fame bad taste, which in the preceding age prevailed in painting and fculpture, was confpicuous in architec

ture.

ture. The castles were vaft heaps of ftone, calculated neither for defence nor refidence; the churches were Gothic, a style of building which is certainly barbarous, notwithstanding fome illustrious inftances of irregular grandeur ;* and the houses inconvenient and unhealthy, or mere cabins. We, in the Silver-Age, make fortifications which are difficult to be affailed, and eafy to be defended. When we build churches, if we had the fame opportunity and encouragement for exerting our abilities as our ancestors, we should produce much better works—of which the principal church at Namurfeveral churches in Paris, St. Paul's in London, and above all, St. Peter's at Rome, are striking inftances. Perhaps, architecture was pureft in Greece—its greatest magnificence was in ancient

Rome

* See fome remarks on Gothic architecture immediately following this effay.

Rome-and, in our times, without be--` ing deficient in purity or magnificence, it has the addition of two other principles, comfort and convenience, which are more attended to in England than in other country.

any

Naval architecture, from this its very improper term, feems to be connected with civil architecture, but its use and principles are widely different.

Trees hollowed by fire became vessels fufficient for the purposes of navigation in the firft ages of fociety-in fome countries canoes were formed of leather, and continue to be fo made upon the Wyebut if in this inftance we adhere to the cuftom of our forefathers, we have left them far behind in the prefent structure of our ships, which is upon the most perfect principles of mathematics and mechanics, as far as they are yet practiced.

Different

Different nations are conftantly endeavouring to rival each other in ship-building-to construct veffels of greater force, more tonnage, and swifter failers. By this conftant emulation, ships have been built uniting these properties, which former ages must have deemed impoffible to have accomplished. The fleets of the Saxon kings were but row-boats—the great ship of Harry the eighth (and fo named) far exceeded all others hitherto built, and was esteemed the wonder of the world; yet it was not equal to one of our fourth rates. A modern frigate of forty-four guns would have been an overmatch for the ftouteft veffel of Queen Elizabeth's fleet, as a feventy-four upon the present establishment is of fuperior force to a first-rate of the last century.

By the natural progrefs towards perfection, ship-building would keep pace with the other arts, and we find that it did fo from historic facts. Long after