. The above picture, an undoubted _original_--and by
a master (the supposed pupil of John Van Eyk) who introduced the art
of oil-painting into Italy--was sold for only 162 francs: whereas the
_copy_ of it, in oil, by Laurent, executed expressly for the
accompanying plate (and executed with great skill and fidelity) cost
400 francs!]

[172] [What a taste have the Virtuosi at Paris! This interesting picture
was allowed to be sold for 162 francs only. Who is its fortunate
Possessor?]

[173] [The OPPOSITE PLATE, which exhibits the head in question, is a
sufficient confirmation of the above remark.]

[174] [First, of the MARC ANTONIOS. Since the sale of the _Silvestre_
Collection, in 1810, nothing had been seen at Paris like that of M.
Denon. It was begun to be formed in the eighteenth century: from which
it is clear, that, not only was every proof at least an hundred years
old, but, at that period, ZANETTI, the previous possessor of this
Collection, sought far and wide, and with unremitting diligence, for
the acquisition of the choicest impressions of the engraver. In fact,
this Collection, (contained in an imperial folio volume, bound in
morocco--and of which I necessarily took but a hasty glance) consisted
of 117 _original_ impressions, and of 26 of such as were executed in
the _school_ of M. Antonio. Of the original impressions, the whole,
with the exception of four only, belonged to Zanetti. "If, says the
compiler of the Catalogue, (1826, 8vo. p. ij.) some of the impressions
have a dingy tint, from the casualties of time, none have been washed,
cleaned, or passed through chemical experiments to give them a
treacherous look of cleanliness." This is sound orthodoxy. The whole
was put up in one lot, and ... BOUGHT IN.

Secondly, for the REMBRANDTS. The like had never been before submitted
to public auction. The Collections of _Silvestre_ and _Morel de Vinde_
out and out eclipsed! _Zanetti_ again--the incomparable--the
felicitous--the unrivalled Zanetti had been the possessor of THIS
Collection also. But yet more ... John Peter Zoomer, a contemporary
(and peradventure a boon companion) of Rembrandt, was the original
former of the Collection. It is therefore announced as being COMPLETE
in all respects--"exhibiting all the changes, retouches, beautiful
proofs, on India and other paper: ample m