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Show THE COMPOSITION OF BALLETS. 235 in which Dupaty expresses his admiration of the painted ceiling in the palace of Ricciardi, at Florence. The subject is The Destiny of Man. The attention is first drawn to the representation of the birth of man. Fate, Time, the Parcce, and Nature appear waiting in expectation; Fate is beckoning to Time, and Time makes a sign to the Parcce ; the spindle of the latter seems to have been just put in motion, and a child is discovered in the arms of Nature. Prometheus approaches, waving his torch; a spark falls, and inspires life. The child now appears creeping at the feet of Nature; he rises, walks, and wishes to leave his foster-mother ; in vain does she endeavour to detain him, in vain she weeps, already is he far from her, and he soon loses his way. After having wandered for some time, two roads present themselves to the youth; one of which appears steep and rugged, paved with flints, and hedged with thorns ; but the other is represented smooth, level, and enamelled with flowers. At the entrance of these roads two troops of men and women are seen. Those in the first evince a sweet but sedate air ; their apparel is decent, and without any ornament, except a simple wreath of laurel in their hair : they are standing near the thorny road. Without attempting to mislead the traveller, they merely address him in these words :-" Young man, this is the way to happiness." They are the Virtues. The troop upon the smoother road are far more numerous than the first, and exhibit a more interesting appearance; their countenances appear joyous and animated ; they laugh, sing, and exhibit a wantonness in their movements ; their attire is of the most luxurious description. Their hair is decorated with flowers; they are crowned with flowers ; and flowers are in their hands. So lovely and smiling do they appear, that it is easy to mistake them for the Graces; however, |