The success of these elegant works has benefited our artists to the sum of twelve thousand pounds, in their preparation for 1829.  A fortnight since we mentioned the cost of the plates of the Literary Souvenir to be 100_l._ and upwards for each subject.  Another work, still more splendid, (being nearly double the price,) is under the direction of Mr. Charles Heath, whose masterly hand is visible in some of the finest engraving ever submitted to the world—­equalled only by a rival in its first year—­one of the best proofs of the patronage these works enjoy.  It would be invidious to particularize—­but we must mention the transference of two of Martin’s designs—­Marcus Curtius (in the Forget Me Not) and Christ Tempted on the Mount—­as two of the most surprising efforts of genius we have ever witnessed.  Our readers need not be told that all the engravings are on steel; and were it not for the adoption of this lasting metal, the

    [4] The engraving is from Prout’s exquisite picture of the
        magnificent city of Vicenza—­for which we recollect our
        obligation to the “Forget Me Not.”

cost of half the engravings would exceed that of the whole work:  all we hope is, that the public patronage may be as lasting as the metal; then it will be no idle vaunt to call this the march, or even race, of genius.  In conclusion, we recommend all our lady friends (who have not done so) to place on their drawing-room table a Print Album, or Scrap Book, to be supported “by voluntary contributions.”  They may then form a pretty correct estimate of the taste of their visiters; and if taste in the fine arts be a test of virtue and integrity, they may even settle the claims of any two rival aspirants by this fair and unerring method, which should admit of no appeal.

* * * * *

ANECDOTES OF CHRISTINA, THE YOUNG QUEEN OF SWEDEN.

(For The Mirror.)

Christina was the only child of the great Gustavus Adolphus, who succeeded to the throne of her father in 1632, when she was but five years of age.  The young queen, at an early age, discovered but little taste for the society and occupations of her sex.  When young, she was capable of reading the Greek historians.  At the age of eighteen she assumed the reins of government.  Several princes of Europe aspired to her hand; but she rejected them all.  To prevent a renewal of applications on this subject, she solemnly appointed Gustavus her successor, but without the smallest participation in the rights of the crown during her own life.  During her minority, Sweden enjoyed internal repose, but was involved in a long war with the German empire.  She was crowned with great splendour in the year 1650.  From this time she entertained a philosophical contempt for pomp and parade, and a kind of disgust for the affairs of state.  She invited to her court men