ures, particularly five pieces by Seb.
Ricci, Venus and AEneas; Apollo and Pan; Venus and Achilles; and Pyrrhus
and Andromache, by Lazzerini; and the Rape of the Lapithi by the
Centaurs. The last is by much the finest, and is a very capital piece;
the expression is strong, the figures are in bold relief, and the
colouring good. Venus and Achilles is a pleasing picture; the continence
of Scipio is well grouped, but Scipio, as in every picture I ever saw of
him, has no expression. Indeed, chastity is in the countenance so
passive a virtue as not to be at all suited to the genius of painting;
the idea is rather that of insipidity, and accordingly Scipio's
expression is generally insipid enough. Two fine pieces, by Lucca
Jordano, Hercules and Anteus; Samson Killing the Lion: both dark and
horrid, but they are highly finished and striking. Six heads of old men,
by Nagori, excellent; and four young women, in the character of the
seasons.

October 9. Left Castle Oliver. Had I followed my inclination, my stay
would have been much longer, for I found it equally the residence of
entertainment and instruction. Passed through Kilfennan and
Duntreleague, in my way to Tipperary. The road leads everywhere on the
sides of the hills, so as to give a very distinct view of the lower
grounds; the soil all the way is the same sort of sandy reddish loam I
have already described, incomparable land for tillage: as I advanced it
grew something lighter, and in many places free from gravel. Bullocks
the stock all the way. Towards Tipperary I saw vast numbers of sheep,
and many bullocks. All this line of country is part of the famous golden
vale. To Thomas Town, where I was so unfortunate as not to find Mr.
Matthew at home; the domain is one thousand five hundred English acres,
so well planted that I could hardly believe myself in Ireland. There is
a hill in the park from which the view of it, the country and the
Galties, are striking.

October 12. To Lord de Montalt's, at Dundrum, a place which his lordship
has ornamented in the modern style of improvement: the house was situated
in the midst of all the regular exertions of the last age. Parterres,
parapets of earth, straight walks, knots and clipped hedges, all which he
has thrown down, with an infinite number of hedges and ditches, filled up
ponds, etc., and opened one very noble lawn around him, scattered
negligently over with trees, and cleared the course of a choked-up river