Mars behind to halt after her as he best
might.

6th. Mars is almost stationary:

"He passeth but a sterre in daies two."

There still remain one or two baffling points in the description, one of
which is the line--

"Fro Venus Valanus might this palais see,"

which I am convinced is corrupt: I have formed a guess as to its true
meaning, but it is not as yet fully confirmed.

The other doubtful points are comprised in the following lines, which have
every appearance of significance; and which, I have not the least doubt,
bear as close application as those already explained: but, as yet, I must
acknowledge an inability to understand the allusions. After Venus has
entered Gemini--

"Within the gate she fled into a cave:
Dark was this cave and smoking as the hell;
Nat but two paas within the gate it stood,
_A natural day in darke I let her dwell_."

A. E. B.

Leeds, March 17.

{236}

* * * * *

CHARLES THE FIRST AND BARTOLOMEO DELLA NAVE'S COLLECTION OF PICTURES.

Among some miscellaneous papers in a volume of the Birch MSS. in the
British Museum (Add. 4293. fol. 5.) is preserved a curious document
illustrative of the love of Charles I. for the fine arts, and his anxiety
to increase his collection of paintings, which, as it has escaped the
notice of Walpole and his annotators, I transcribe below.

"CHARLES R.

"Whereas wee vnderstand that an excellent Collection of paintings are
to be solde in Venice, whiche are knowen by the name of Bartolomeo
della Nave his Collection, Wee are desirous that our beloved servant
Mr. William Pettye, should goe thither to make the bargayne for them,
Wee our selues beinge resolved to goe a fourthe share in the buyinge of
them (soe it exceed not the s[=o]me of Eight hundred powndes
sterlinge), but that our Name be concealed in it. And if it shall
please God that the same Collection be bought and come safelye hither,
Then wee doe promise in the word of a Kinge, that they shall be divyded
with all equallitye in this maner, vid^t. That, they shall be equallie
divyded into fower partes by some men skillfull in paintinge, and then
everie one interested in the shares, or some for them, shall throwe the
Dice severallye, and whoesoever throwes moste, shall chose his share
first, and soe in order everye one shall choose after first, as he
castes most, and shal take their shares