THE SKULL OF RAFFAELLE.
Is preserved as an object of great veneration in the Academy of St. Luke, which the students visit as if in the hope of being inspired with similar talents; and it is wonderful that, admiring him so much, modern painters should so little resemble him. Either they do not wish to imitate him, or do not know how to do so. Those who duly appreciate his merits have attempted it, and been successful. Mengs is an example of this observation.
THE FOUR FINEST PICTURES IN ROME.
The four most celebrated pictures in Rome, are The Transfiguration by Raffaelle, St. Jerome by Domenichino, The Descent from the Cross by Daniele da Volterra, and The Romualdo by Andrea Sacchi.
THE FOUR CARLOS OF THE 17TH CENTURY.
It is a singular fact that the four most distinguished painters of the 17th century were named Charles, viz.: le Brun, Cignani, Maratta, and Loti, or Loth. Hence they are frequently called by writers, especially the Italian, "The four Carlos of the 17th century."