... But
enough ... "Claudite jam rivos pueri--sat prata biberunt."

[E] These Corks are yet (1829) in my possession: preserved in an
old wooden box, with ribs of iron, of the time of Louis XI.

[F] The word here in the original is not clear.

[G] [They have now published FOUR VOLUMES, in royal 8vo. of
singular beauty and splendour: but the fourth vol. falls far short
of its precursors in the intrinsic value of its contents. The
first volume is so scarce, as to have brought L20. at a sale in
Paris. I possess the three latter vols. only, by the kindness of
the Society, in making me, with Earl Spencer, an Honorary
Associate.]

[163] [The Reader must not break up with the party, until he has cast his
eye upon the autograph of an Individual, of as high merit and
distinction in the department which he occupies, as any to which he
has yet been introduced. It only remains to say--it is the autograph
of Mons.

[Autograph]

_LETTER X._

THE COLLECTIONS OF DENON, QUINTIN CRAUFURD, AND THE MARQUIS DE SOMMARIVA.

All the world has heard of the famous DENON, the Egyptian traveller; and
editor of the great work of the _Antiquities of Egypt_, published in 1802,
in two sumptuous folio volumes. As you possess a copy of the French
work,[164] with choice impressions of the plates, I need say nothing
further upon the subject--except that I believe it to be one of the very
finest works of the kind, which has ever appeared ... on the score of art.
But the author has other claims to attention and popularity. He was an
intimate friend--and certainly the confidential adviser--of Buonaparte, in
all public schemes connected with the acquisition of pictures and statues:
and undoubtedly he executed the task confided to him with _ability_. He was
verging oh his sixtieth year, when he started with his master upon the
Egyptian expedition--a proof at least of energy, as well as of good
disposition, in the cause. But Denon has been a great European traveller:
he has had access to private, as well as to public, cabinets; and has
brought home some rich fruits of his enterprise and taste.

His house, on the _Quai Malaquais_, is the rendezvous of all the English of
any taste--who have respectable letters of introduction; and I must do him
the justice to say, that, never did a man endure the _inconveniences_ which
must frequently result fr