if you please, we will call “Denon the Third.”  You next enter a narrow, boudoir-shaped apartment, which contains, to my taste, the most curious and precious morsels of art which the Baron Denon possesses.  They are specimens of the earlier schools of painting, commencing with what are called Giottos and Cimabues—­down to a very striking modern picture of a group of children, by a late French artist, just before the time of our Reynolds.  This latter you would really conceive to have been the production of Sir Joshua himself.  Of the specimens of the earlier schools, I was most struck with the head of PISANI, the inventor of medals—­of the fifteenth century—­painted by Antonello da Messina, a pupil of John Van Eyk.  It is full of nature and of character.  I could not get away from it.  “Is it possible to obtain a copy of this picture?”—­said I to its owner.  “I understand you, (replied Denon) you wish to carry that copy to your own country.  And to have it engraved there?” ...  “Most unquestionably”—­resumed I.  “It is at your service (he rejoined); Laurent will copy it admirably.”  I hardly knew how to thank Mons. Denon sufficiently.[171]

[Illustration:  PISANI.]

[Illustration:  DENON.]

There was another head ...but “non omnia possumus omnes.”  I mean, one of a female in profile, by MASACCIO.  It was full of expression.[172] “What, (said its owner,) must you have an engraving of that head also?  It is bespoke; by myself.  In short, every thing which you behold in these rooms (including even your favourite Pisani) will be lithographised for the publication of my own collection.”  Of course, after this declaration, I was careful of what I did or said.  “But there was yet one thing in this collection—­of which, as I saw such a variety, he could not refuse me a copy.”  “What might that be?” “A portrait of HIMSELF:  from marble, from oil, or from enamel.”  “Take your choice:  he replied:  “faites ce que vous voulez,”—­and it was agreed that M. Laguiche should make a drawing of the bust, in white marble, (I think the sculptor’s name is Bosio) which is indeed very like him.[173] There is also a large and beautiful enamel of Denon, full dressed with all his orders, by Augustin; perhaps the most perfect specimen of that artist which France possesses.  It is the work of several years past, when Denon had more flesh upon his cheek, and more fire in his eye.  We may therefore say that this room contains “Denon the Fourth, and Denon the Fifth!”

In the same room you observe a very complete specimen of a papyrus inscription; brought from Egypt.  Indeed the curiosities brought from that country (as might naturally be supposed) are numerous and valuable.  But my attention was directed to more understandable objects of art.  Opposite to the bust of Denon, is one of his late master, the ex-Emperor, in bronze:  and above this latter, is a small picture, by Lucas