father in 1677. He was of a gentle difpofition, and weak conftitution; fond of pomp and magnificence, and in fatisfying this paffion contributed to polish his fubjects by the introduction of foreign manufactures, and articles of elegance, which they foon began to adopt and imitate. His delight was in horfes, and he did his country a real fervice in the beginning and establishing of thofe fine breeds of them in the Ukraine, and elsewhere. He reigned feven years, and having on his deathbed called his Bojars round him, in the presence of his brother and fifter Ivan and Sophia, and of his half brother Peter, faid to them; Hear my last fentiments; they are dictated by my love for the state, and by my affection for my people-the bodily infirmities of Ivan neceffarily muft affect his mental faculties he is incapable of ruling a dominion like that of Ruffia he cannot take it amifs, if I recommend to you to fet him afide, and to let your approbation fall on Peter, who to a robust conftitution joins great ftrength of mind, and marks of a fuperior understanding.

Theodore dying in 1682, Peter became emperor, and his brother Ivan remained contented. But Sophia, Ivan's fifter, a woman of great ambition, could not bring herfelf to fubmit.

The troubles which enfued; the imminent dangers which Peter efcaped; his abolition of that turbulent and feditious foldiery, called the Strelitz; the confinement of his half-fifter Sophia to a monaftery; all thefe were important events, which left Peter in the year 1689 with no other com

petitor, than the mild and easy Ivan; who, dying not many years after, left him fole monarch of all the Ruflias.

The arts at home and abroad, in peace and in war, of this stupendous and elevated genius, are too well known to be repeated by me. Peter adorned his country with arts, and raised its glory by arms: he created a refpectable marine; founded St. Petersburgh, a new capital, and that from the very ground; rendering it withal one of the first cities in Europe for beauty and elegance.

To encourage letters he formed academies, and invited foreign profeffors not only to Petersburgh (his new city) but to his antient capital Mofcow; at both which places these profeffors were maintained with liberal penfions.

As a few fpecimens of literature from both these cities have recently come to my hand, I shall endeavour to enumerate them, as I think it relative to my subject.

1. Plutarchus περὶ Δυσωπίας, και gì Túyns-Gr. Lat, cum animadverfionibus Reifkii et alior-fuas adjecit Chriftianus Frediricus Mat thai. Typis Univerfitatis Mosquenfis, an. 1777, 8vo.

2. Plutarchi libellus de Superfi tione, et Demofthenis Oratio funs. bris, Gr. Lat. cum notis integris Reifkii et alior.-fuas adjecit Chrift. Frider. Matthæi-Typis Cæfarea Mofquenfis Univerfitatis, an. 1778, 8vo.

3. Lectiones Mofquenfes, in two volumes, Svo. bound together, and printed at Leipfic, an. 1779

they contain various readings in different authors, and fome entire pieces, all in Greek collected from the libraries of Moscow, and publish

published by the fame learned edi

tor.

4. Ifocratis, Demetrii Cyd. et Michael Glyca aliquot Epiftola nec non Dion. Chryfoftomi OratioGræc. Typis Univerfitatis Cæfareæ Mofquenfis-8vo.-By the fame learned editor.

5. Gloffaria Græca minora, et alia Anecdota Græca-a work, confifting of two parts, contained under one volume, in a thin quarto, by the fame able profeffor, printed at Mofcow by the Univerfity types, in the years 1774 and 1775. A catalogue of the feveral pieces in both parts is fubjoined to the end of the fecond part.Among the pieces in the first part are, Excerpta ex Grammatica Niceph. Gregore; ex Gloffario Cyrilli Alexandrini; Gloffarium in Epiftolas Pauli; Nomina Menfium; thofe of the 2d part are chiefly theological.

6. Notitia Codicum Manufcriptorum Græcorum Bibliothecarum Mofquenfium, cum variis Anecdotis, Tabulis Æneis, Indicibus locupletiffimis -edidit Chrift. Fridericus Matthæi Mofque, Typis Univerfitatis, an. 1776.

This publication, on a large folio paper, is as yet incomplete, only fixty pages being printed off. It ends, Partis prima Sectionis pri▪ ma Firis.

7. An ode to the prefent emprefs, Catharine, in antient Greek and Ruffian.

8. An ode on the birth-day of Conftantine, fecond fon to the Grand Duke, in antient Greek and Ruffian-printed at Peterfburgh, and as we learn from the title, in 'Aulonçaroginn 'Axadnuía TE, in the Imperial Academy of Sciences.

9. An ode to Prince Potemkin, VOL. XXIV.

antient Greek and Ruffian, and printed (as before) an. 1780.

10. An ode, confifting of Strophe, Antiftrophe, and Epode, antient Greek and Ruffian, made in 1779, in honour of the Emprefs, the Great Duke and Duchefs, and Alexander and Conftantine, their two fons, grandfons to the emprefs.

This ode was fung in the original Greek by a large number of voices, before a numerous and fplendid court, in one of the imperial palaces.

As I have a copy of this mufic, I cannot omit obferving, that it is a genuine exemplar of the antient Antiphona, fo well known to the church in very remote ages. On this plan two complete choirs (each confifting of trebles, counters, tenors, and bafes) fing against each other, and reciprocally anfwer; then unite all of them; then feparate again, returning to the alternate refponfe, till the whole at length concludes in one general chorus. The mufic of this ode may be called purely vocal, having no other accompanyment but that of an organ.

The compofer was no lefs a man than the celebrated Paefiello, fo well known at prefent, and fo much admired, both in Italy and elsewhere, for mufic of a very different character, I mean his truly natural and pleasing burlettas.

Those who are curious to know more of this fpecies of mufic, may confult the valuable gloffary of Spelman, under the word Antiphona, and the ingenious mufical dictionary of Rouffeau, under the word Antienne.

11. A fhort copy of Greek ele giac verfes, printed at Petersburgh,

M

burgh, in the year 1780, and ad. dreit to Prince Potemkin, with this fingular title.

Ἐπίγραμμα ἐπὶ τῆς παμφαές και χαρμοσύνη ΓΟΡΓΕΙΟΦΟΡΙΑΣ, της κοιντέρως ΜΑΣΚΑΡΑΔΟΣ καλυμένης, ἣν κ. τ. λ.

Thus EnglifthedA Poem, on the fplendid and delightful Feftivity, where they wear Gorgonian Vifors; more commonly called a Mafquerade; which Prince Potemkin c.lebrated, c. &c.

A better word to denote a mafquerade could hardly have been invented, than the word here employed, Topyopógie. In attempting to tranflate it, that I might exprefs one word, I have been compelled to ufe many.

12. A tranflation of Virgil's Georgics from the Latin Hexameters into Greek Hexameters, by the celebrated Eugenius, famous for his treatise of logic, published a few years fince in antient Greek at Leipfic. He was made an archbishop, but chofe to refign his dignity. He is now carrying on this tranflation under the protection of Prince Potemkin, but has as yet gone no farther, than to the end of the firft Georgic.

The work is printed on a large folio paper, having the original on one fide, and the tranflation on the other. Copious notes in Greek are at the bottom of the fe

veral pages.

Take a short fpecimen of the performance.

Continuo, ventis furgentibus, aut freta penti Incipiunt agitata tumefere, et aridus ellis Montibus audiri fragor; aut refonantia longe

Littora mifceri, et nemoram increbrefcere mur

mur.

Αυτίκα, ἐγρομένων ἀνέμων, πορθμεῖς ἐπὶ

πόλης

"Αλς τε σαλευομένη οιδαίνει, καὶ κορυφαι δὲ Ουρεος ἄκαι τραχὺ βοᾶσιν ἀτὰς μας κρόθεν με

̓Ακαὶ τ ̓ ἐν άλιον τὰ βρέμονται, κ' ἀνγκα

λοί τε

Σμερδαλέον ποιῆσι δὲ μυκαι αἷα καὶ ὅλα.

Öf these various printed works, the first fix were fent me by the learned fcholar above mentioned, Chriftianus Fredericus Matthæi, from Moscow; the laft Gix I had the honour to receive from Prince Potemkin at Petersburgb.

Befides the printed books, the learned profeffor at Moscow fent me a curious Latin narrative in manufcript.

In it he gives an account of a fine manufcript of Strabo, belonging to the Ecclefiaftical Library at Mofcow. He informs me, this MS. is in folio; contains 427 leaves: is beautifully written by one whom he calls a learned and diligent fcribe, at the end of the fifteenth or beginning of the fixteenth century; and came, as appears by a memorandum in the manufcript, from the celebrated Greek monaftery at Mount Athos.

He adds (which is worth attention) that almost all the Greek manufcripts, which are now preferved at Mofcow, were originally brought thither from this monaftery; and that, in the last century, by order of the Emperor Alexius Michaelowitz, and the Patriarch Nico, by means of the Monk Arfenius. So early in this country did a gleam of literature

fhew itself.

He ftrongly denies the fact, that there is any other MS. of Strabo befides this either at Mofcow, or at Petersburgh..

Of

Of the prefent MS. he has been fo kind as to fend me collations, taken from the first and fecond book.

After this he mentions the unpublished hymn of Homer upon Ceres, and the fragment of another by the fame poet upon Bacchus; both of which, fince I heard from him, have been published by Runkenius at Leyden, to whom my correfpondent had fent them from the Mofcowan Library.

He has been generous enough to fend me copies of all the books he has published, for which valuable donation I take this public opportunity of making my grateful acknowledgments.

With regard to all the publications here mentioned, it is to be obferved, that thofe from Peterfburgh are faid to be printed in the imperial Academy of Sciences; thofe from Mofcow, by the Types of the Imperial Univerfity; each place by its ftile indicating its eftablishment.

Injustice to my fon, his majefty's minifter to the Court of Ruilia, it is incumbent upon me to say, that all this information, and all these literary treafures, have been procured for me by his help, and through his interest.

I must not conclude without obferving (though perhaps it may be a repetition) that the efforts to civilize this country did not begin from Peter the Great, but were much older. A fmall glimmering, like the first day break, was feen under Czar Iwan, in the middle of the fixteenth century.

This dawn of civilizing became more confpicuous a century afterwards, under Czar Alexius Michaelowitz; of whom, as well as

of his fon Theodore or Fædor we have fpoken already.

But under the Great Peter it burst forth, with all the fplendor of a rifing fun, and (if I may be permitted to continue my metaphor) has continued ever fince to afcend towards its meridian.

More than fifty years have past fince the death of Peter; during which period, with very little exception, this vaft empire has been governed by female fovereigns only. All of them have purfued more or lefs the plan of their great predeceffor, and none of them more, than the illuftrious princefs who now reigns.

And fo much for literature in Ruffia, and for its progress towards being civilized.

On the Advantages of a Tafle for the general Beauties of Nature. By Dr. Percival of Manchefter.

Me vero primum dulces ante omnia mufæ Accipiant!..

--Kura mihi, er rigui placeant in vallibus'

amnes;

Flumina amem, fylvafque inglorius.

TH

Virg. Georg. L. II. Lin. 475.

HAT fenfibility to beauty, which, when cultivated and ingroved, we term tafte, is univertally diffufed through the human fpecies: and it is moft uniform with refpect to thofe objects, which, being out of our power, are not liable to variation, from accident, caprice, or fafhion. The verdant lawn, the fhady grove, the variegated landscape, the boundlefs ocean, and the starry firmament, are contemplated with pleafure by every attentive beM 2 holder,

holder. But the emotions of different fpectators, though fimilar in kind, differ widely in degree: and to relish, with full delight, the enchanting scenes of nature, the mind must be uncorrupted by avarice, fenfuality, or ambition; quick in her fenfibilities; elevated in her fentiments; and devout in her affections. He, who poffeffes fuch exalted powers of perception and enjoyment, may almoft fay, with the poet,

"I care not, Fortune! what you me 66 'deny;

"You cannot rob me of free Nature's

"grace;

"You cannot thut the windows of the

"sky,

"Thro' which Aurora fhews her bright "ening face;

"You cannot bar my conftant feet to

Perhaps fuch ardent enthufiafm may not be compatible with the neceffary toils, and active offices, which Providence has affigned to the generality of men. But there are none, to whom fome portion of it may not prove advantageous; and if it were cherished, by each individual, in that degree, which is confiftent with the indifpenfable duties of his station, the felicity of human life would be confiderably augmented. From this fource, the refined and vivid pleafures of the imagination are almost entirely derived: and the elegant arts owe

*Thomson's Caftle of Indolence.

their choiceft beauties to a taste for the contemplation of nature. Painting and fculpture are exprefs imitations of visible objects: and where would be the charms of poetry, if divefted of the imagery and embellishments, which fhe borrows from rural scenes? Painters, ftatuaries, and poets, there. fore, are always ambitious to acknowledge themfelves the pupils of nature; and as their kill increafes, they grow more and more delighted with every view of the animal and vegetable world. But miration is tranfient; and to culthe pleasure refulting from adtivate tafte, without regard to its influence on the paffions and affections, "is to rear a tree for its bloffoms, which is capable of yielding the richest, and most valuable fruit f." Phyfical and moral beauty bear fo intimate a relation to each other, that they may be confidered as different gradations in the scale of excellence; and the knowledge and relifh of the former, fhould be deemed only a step to the nobler and more permanent enjoyments of the latter.

Whoever has visited the Leafowes, in Warwickshire, must have felt the force and propriety of an infcription, which meets the eye, at the entrance into thofe delight ful grounds.

Would you then tafte the tranquil

❝ scene?