Here our artist remained six weeks in grinding his colours, composing an admirable varnish, and preparing his canvass, for a performance he intended as his _chef d'oeuvre._ A fortnight more passed before he decided upon a subject.

At last he determined to commemorate the opulence of Monsieur Baise-la-Main, by a perspective of his counting-house.

He chose an interesting moment, when heaps of gold lay glittering on the counter, and citizens of distinction were soliciting a secure repository for their plate and jewels.

A Muscovite wrapped in fur, and an Italian glistening in brocade, occupied the foreground.

The eye glancing over these figures highly finished, was directed through the windows of the shop into the area in front of the cathedral; of which, however, nothing was discovered, except two sheds before its entrance, where several barbers were represented at their different occupations.