said Mrs. Durnford, "the imitative arts of sculpture and painting, made an early appearance in Greece. Statuary, a more simple imitation than painting, was soonest brought to perfection: the statues of Jupiter by Phidias, and of Juno by Polycletes, were executed long before the art of light and shade was known. Another cause likewise concurred to advance statuary before painting, namely, the great demand for statues of the gods. In all countries where the people are barbarous and illiterate, the progress of the arts is extremely slow. Fine arts are also precarious; they are not relished but by persons of taste, who are comparatively very few; for which reason, they will never flourish in any country, unless patronized by the Sovereign, or by men of power and opulence. Our own cathedrals can boast some beautiful specimens of this art, among which the works of Bacon and of Flaxman stand conspicuous. Look, Caroline, at this figure, can you tell me who it is meant to represent?" Caroline thought it was Mercury, "but what does he hold in his hand, mamma?" "A caduceus, or wand, my dear, round which are entwined two serpents. Mercury is the god of eloquence, of arts and sciences, and the messenger of Jupiter. When you are a little older, you must learn the history of the Heathen gods and goddesses, else you will remain ignorant of many beautiful allusions in poetry. They are introduced likewise into painting, of which I shall be happy, my Theodore, if you can give me some account." "It is said to have had its rise among the Egyptians," said Theodore, "but the Greeks, who learned it of them, carried it to the summit of perfection, if we may believe the stories related of their Apelles and Zeuxis. The Romans, in the latter times of the Republic, and under the first emperors, were not without considerable masters in the art; but the inundation of barbarians which deluged Italy, proved fatal to the arts, and almost reduced painting to its first elements. It was in Italy, however, that painting returned to its ancient honour, when Cimaluce, born at Florence, transferred the poor remains of the art from a Greek painter into his own country."