Bramante died in 1514, one year after his patron Julius II., and eight years after the commencement of the new St. Peter’s. At this period the great arches over the central piers were turned, and the principal chapel opposite the entrance erected. Subsequent additions, however, to his portion of the building, and material deviations from his original design, have left us to regard the church in its complete state as deriving little else than its general idea from the genius of its first architect. His remains were deposited in it with great pomp, being attended by the Papal court, and the leading professors of art. He is described as lively and agreeable in manner, and, notwithstanding his quarrels with Michael Angelo, of a liberal and generous disposition. He seems rather to have been distinguished by a bold and fertile fancy, than by any great attainments in the mechanical department of his profession; and to form a just estimate of his designs, they should be considered with reference to the progressive state of architectural taste, and cautiously adopted as examples for imitation. The best authorities to be consulted on this subject are Vasari, Tiraboschi, Milizia, and Condivi. [Illustration: [Great niche of the Belvedere.]] [Illustration: _Engraved by E. Scriven._ MADAME DE STAEL. _From the original Picture by F. Gerard in the possession of M. de Broglie, at Paris._ Under the Superintendence of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge _London, Published by Charles Knight, Ludgate Street._ ] [Illustration] MADAME DE STAEL. Anne Louise Germaine Necker, the celebrated daughter of a celebrated father, was born at Paris, April 22, 1766. In her earliest years she manifested uncommon vivacity of perception and depth of feeling; and at the age of eleven, her sprightliness, her self-possession, and the eager and intelligent interest which she took in all the subjects of conversation, rendered her the pet and the wonder of the brilliant circle which frequented her father’s house. Necker himself, though he delighted in promoting the developement of his daughter’s talents, was a watchful critic of her faults: “I owe,” she said, “to my father’s penetration, the frankness of my disposition, and the simplicity of my mind. He exposed every sort of affectation; and, in his company, I formed the habit of thinking that my heart lay open to view.” She repaid his care and tenderness by a passionate and devoted affection, such as scarcely seems to belong to the relationship which existed between them. Throughout his life, the desire to minister to his pleasure was her first object, and his death threw a permanent shade of melancholy over her spirit.