(Maria Helena). This painter was born at Bologna in 1668, of a noble family, and appeared to have an extraordinary genius for painting. She learned design under the direction of Emilio Taruffi, and in a short space of time made an astonishing proficiency; so that in the compass of a few years she acquired great readiness in composition, correctness of outline, and a lovely tint of colouring.

She also excelled in painting landscapes; and by

---

(a) "See the dialogue of Lucian, intitled, De Saltatione, tom. ii. p. 265—317, edit. Reitz. The pantomimes obtained the honourable name of ἀνθρώπων; and it was required that they should be conversant with almost every art and science. Barete (in the Memoires de l'Academie des Inscriptions, tom. i. p. 127, &c.) has given a short history of the art of pantomimes."

(b) "Ammianus, l. xiv. c. 6. He complains, with decent indignation, that the streets of Rome were filled with crowds of females, who might have given children to the state, but whose only occupation was to curl and dress their hair; and jactari volubilibus gyris, dum exprimunt innumerabiles simulacra, qua finxere fabulae theatralis." the beauty of her situations and distances allured and entertained the eye of every judicious beholder. The figures which she inserted had abundance of grace; she designed them with becoming attitudes, and gave them a lively and natural expression. Her merit was incontestably acknowledged, and her works were exceedingly prized and coveted.

PAO-TING-FOU, in China, where the viceroy resides, is the most considerable city in the province next to Pekin. It has 20 others under its jurisdiction, three of the second and 17 of the third class. The country around it is pleasant, and inferior in fertility to no part of China. It is necessary to pass this city in going from Pekin to the province of Chan-fu.