The next is the front of a votive altar, with an inscription for the safe return of Septimus Severus and his family from some expedition. The portions of the inscription which bore the name of Geta have been erased, agreeably to the order of his brother Caracalla. Besides these are some altars which bear no inscription from which we can determine to whom they are certainly to be referred. The first is an altar which has probably, from the symbols on it, been dedicated to Apollo. In front is a festoon or wreath of laurel leaves and berries, suspended from the corners of the cornice. Upon it stands a raven with a berry in its mouth, and on each side of the altar is a laurel tree. The next is an altar, in front of which are two birds, probably doves, drinking; above them a thick festoon or garland of laurel-leaves, suspended by long and broad fillets from two skulls of bulls, between which is a large floral ornament. The next is a votive altar to Dionysus; on the front of which is Silenus riding on a panther. In his left hand he grasps a thyrsus, and with his right he supports him, being in a state of intoxication, by holding the tail of a panther. Above him are a pair of cymbals. On one side of the altar is a præfericulum, and on the other a patera. This monument formerly belonged to Piranesi, from whom it was purchased in 1771. The next is an altar of a square form, ornamented with sphinxes at the upper and lower corners, and with bas-reliefs representing Apollo holding a lyre at a table, on which are a raven, tripod, and three rolls of manuscripts. On the other side is a sacrifice of a ram, and a female holding a torch and feeding a deer. This monument was presented by Sir William Hamilton in 1779.-A square altar or cippus decorated with festoons; an ibis destroying a serpent; jug and patera, and heads of Jupiter Ammon. This monument was formerly in the Villa Buccino, at Rome. The bas-relief portion of a small cippus or altar, representing Dionysus leaning on Ariadne's shoulders while she plays the lyre.-A small cippus or altar, decorated with rams' heads, festoons, birds, insects, and human heads. -And a few more objects of a similar nature, which we do not think require particularizing. IX.-MISCELLANEOUS BAS-RELIEFS, &c., ARCHITECTURAL AND DECORATIVE. Besides the objects above classed and enumerated, there are a large collection which do not readily fall under the heads we have already mentioned, and which, perhaps, it may be most simple to group under the one heading of Miscellaneous. Many of them are subjects from domestic life, and some may probably be nothing more than portions of architectural decorations. Of these, we will notice first, No. 7, a vase of an extremely elegant oval form, with two upright handles, ornamented all round with Bacchanalian figures, which are executed in a style of great excellence. The subject seems to be the celebration of the Dionysiac orgies by a number of persons who imitate the dresses and characters of Satyrs and male and female Bacchantes. One figure, which may be intended for Dionysus himself, carries a thyrsus in his right hand, and wears the skin of a panther. A Satyr carries an amphora of wine, and the female Bacchantes are dressed in thin transparent drapery, which floats in the air,-one of them with her hair dishevelled, holding a knife, and another the hind limbs of a kid. The male Bacchantes are represented of different ages. This vase was found at Monte Cagnuolo, near the ancient Lanuvium, on the site of the villa of Antoninus Pius. No. 9 is another vase, the subject of which is Bacchanalian. It is of an oval form, has two upright double handles, which spring from the necks of swans, and four figures in relief on its body, all of whom are joining the wild and irregular dance of Dionysus. The first is a female Bacchante, holding a thyrsus in her right hand; the second, a young Satyr playing on the cymbals; the third, an aged Satyr bearing a vase upon his head; and the fourth is another young Satyr, playing upon the tibia or double pipe. A considerable portion of this vase has been restored. The next is a figure of the Sphinx, the head being that of a female with a mild and pleasing expression of countenance, the hair parted in front and arranged at the side in wavy masses, and collected in a knot behind. The form of the body bears some resemblance to a greyhound, but the claws are longer and sharper, and the tail that of a lion. Large expanded wings issue from the fore part of the shoulder-blade, and the breast, which is animal and not human, is furnished with feathers. There cannot be much doubt that it must once have formed the base of a magnificent candelabrum, to which it was attached by the strong square projection from the back, concealed within the wings. This sphinx is in exactly the same attitude as on some of the gold coins of Augustus. It was found by Mr. Gavin Hamilton in the ruins of the villa of Antoninus Pius, near the ancient Lanuvium. No. 5 is a very beautiful candelabrum, which has, however, been considerably restored. The upper part was found in the ruins of the villa of Antoninus Pius. The three figures on the pedestal have belonged to a candelabrum of a similar kind. One of these figures |