mpression all black, and that, by scraping away proper parts, the smooth
superfices would leave the rest of the paper white. Communicating his idea
to Wallerant Vaillant, a painter, they made several experiments, and at
last invented a steel roller with projecting points, or teeth, like a file,
which effectually produced the black ground; and which, being scraped away
or diminished at pleasure, left the gradations of light. Such was the
invention of mezzo-tinto, according to Lord Orford, Mr. Evelyn, and Mr.
Vertue.

[1] The word mezzo-tinto is derived from the Italian, meaning half
painted.

P. T. W.

* * * * *

RETROSPECTIVE GLEANINGS.

* * * * *

[For the following succinct account of the Gunpowder Conspiracy,
our acknowledgments are due to the proprietors of an elegant and
interesting _Annual_, entitled "THE AMULET" for 1828.]

A BRIEF HISTORY OF "THE GUNPOWDER PLOT."

_(Compiled from original and unpublished documents.)_

Of all the plots and conspiracies that ever entered into the mind of man,
the Gunpowder plot stands pre-eminent in horror and wickedness.

The singular perseverance of the conspirators is shown by the fact, that so
early as in Lent of the year 1603, Robert Catesby, who appears to have been
the prime mover of the plot, in a conversation with Thomas Wintour and John
Wright, first broke with them about a design for delivering England from
her bondage, and to replant the Catholic religion. Wintour expressed
himself doubtful whether so grand a scheme could be accomplished, when
Catesby informed him that he had projected a plan for that purpose, which
was no less than to blow up the Parliament House with gunpowder.

Wintour consented to join in the scheme, and, at the suggestion of Catesby,
went over to Flanders to arrange some preliminary affairs there, and to
communicate the design to Mr. Fawkes, who was personally known to Catesby.
At Ostend, Wintour was introduced to Mr. Fawkes by Sir Wm. Stanley. Guy
Fawkes was a man of desperate character. In his person he was tall and
athletic, his countenance was manly, and the determined expression of his
features was not a little heightened by a profusion of brown hair, and an
auburn-coloured beard. He was descended from a respectable family in
Yorkshire, and having soon squandered the property he inherited at the
decease of his father, his restless spirit