WE have repeatedly in these pages 'borne testimony' in behalf of a more general cultivation of the fine arts, and especially in the department of architecture. We have had too much reason to concur with JEFFERSON in the opinion that 'the genius of architecture never yet condescended to visit the American Republic.' The Count RENAULT St. JEAN D'A---- was wont to say, while residing among us, that 'more was to be learned by viewing Grace-Church in Broadway, touching the state of mental culture among us in the science of architecture, than by all the methods of reasoning which philosophy could furnish on any abstract point of knowledge;' and yet we believe the plan of this edifice was the result of a confederation of intellectual powers! Moreover, as our old friend, the late Gen. MORTON, was wont to say, we must bear in mind that beside the several recognized orders of architecture, we have also an _order by the corporation_! We may have more to say on this theme on another occasion. We have been led to these incidental remarks, by the recent death in this city of a man of rare genius, and unwearied effort in the promotion of a kindred branch of art--THOMAS HORNER, of England, the well-known draftsman and painter of the wonderful panorama of London, which constitutes the attraction of the great collosseum in that metropolis. The labor to affect this great work, the result of years of toil and severe exposure to the inclemencies of a noxious atmosphere, doubtless predisposed to that prolonged suffering which wasted his physical strength; while sad disappointments, and the precarious means of existence which he derived from his art in this country, may be justly regarded as concurring causes in hastening his final departure from among us. For a period of about fifteen years, he had devoted himself to the taking of sketches of numerous rural views and edifices in different parts of our northern states, and of the public buildings of our prominent cities. His delineation of the city of New-York is perhaps the most conspicuous of the efforts of his pencil. He died in this city on the morning of the 18th of March, aged about sixty years. It may be gratifying to his relatives and friends abroad to know, that there were not a few of our citizens who were ready at all times to aid him by their benefactions; and that in his illness he found in Dr. FRANCIS, whose name is a synonyme for considerate kindness, a constant friend and faithful medical adviser. His funeral was attended by some of our first citizens, among whom it was gratifying to observe Mr. FOWLER, the President of the St. George's Society, and other well-known countrymen of the deceased. . . . OUR correspondent, Mr. THOS. COPCUTT, has opened the present number with an admirable paper, compiled from Carlyle, on the never-tiring theme of NAPOLEON. We always associate, and at once, with NAPOLEON'S name, the dreadful scenes presented by his deserted