olliad_, the _Pursuits of Literature_, and _Junius' Letters_, I by no
means intended to place them upon an equality; and here I may inform your
correspondent S. T. D. (what a pity that you do not require every one to
give his name at length!) that the fact of Mr. Matthias being the author of
the second of these works was scarcely made a secret by his family after he
went to Italy. Indeed, for some time previously, it was well known to
myself from what passed at this house, where he was a frequent visitor, and
where I should at any time be happy to give S. T. D. ocular demonstration
of it, by the production of the letters addressed to the {277} "Anonymous
Author of the _Pursuits of Literature_," accompanied in some cases with his
own answers.

DAWSON TURNER.

Yarmouth, April 1. 1851.

* * * * *

ACCOUNT OF A LARGE ANCIENT WOOD-ENGRAVING.

Perhaps some of your readers may be able to give me information regarding a
large and very elaborate woodcut, which has been many years in my
possession, and obviously has been used as the fly-leaf of some folio
volume, though, of course not originally intended for such a purpose. It is
so complicated, that I fear I shall have some difficulty in explaining it,
and my explanation may require more space than you may be willing to afford
me. You can, however, insert my Query at any time when you have room to
spare.

The size of the engraving, is 16 inches by 13, and it is divided into two
large oblong circles, and a centre; a story being carried on, clearly
allegorically, from the outer circle to the second, and from the second to
the centre. I will speak of each, beginning with the outer, which is
entered by a portico, consisting of two columns and a round arch; on the
base of one of the columns is a monogran of the artist or of the engraver,
formed of the letters R. D. Under the arch is seated a lady richly attired,
who holds a large cup and cover in her left hand, and around her are
fourteen naked children, to one of which she seems tendering the chalice;
while a bearded old man, with a scroll, is directing attention to what is
going on in the outer circle. Passing under this portico we see,
immediately behind it, six ladies, three religious and three secular; while
to the right of the three secular ladies is a naked, winged female figure,
with her foot on a sphere, a large goblet in her right hand, and some
objects that look like fetters in her left