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" Ye virgins meek, that wear the palmy crown
" Of patient faith, and yet so fiercely frown ;
" Ye angels, that from clonds of gold recline,
" But boast no semblance to a race divine ;
" Ye tragic tales of legendary lore,
" That draw devotion's ready tear no more;
" Shapes that with one broad glare the gazer strike,
" Kings, Bishops, Nuns, Apostles, all alike!
" Ye columns that the unwary sight amaze,
" And only dazzle in the noontide blaze!
(< No more the sacred window's round disgrace,
" But yield to Grecian groupes the shining space.
" Lo, from the canvas beauty shifts her throne!
" Lo, picture's powers a new formation own!
" Behold, she prints upon the crystal plain
" With her own energy th' expressive stain!
" The mighty master spreads his mimic toil
More wide, nor only blends the breathing oil;
" But calls the lineaments of life compleat
" From genial alchemy's creative heat;
"' Obedient forms to the bright fusion gives,
" While in the warm enamel nature lives."
Wakton.
This encaustic staining of glass, or mode of fix- ing the vivid and finely graduating colours upon that transparent material, was brought to its pre- sent state of perfection, after vast expence and in- finite trials, by Mr. Eginton in 1784; since which period he has executed many very magnificent pieces of work in that line; the following are the most elaborate and excellent:
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