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ALCIBIADES SURPRISED BY SOCRATES IN THE HOUSE OF A COURTEZAN.

PERRIN.

ALCIBIADES, the son of Clinias, the Athenian, and a descendant of Ajax, by the father's side, received from nature all the graces of body and mind. A philosophera voluptuary-a warrior-discreet at Sparta-gallant at Athens-profuse at the court of Tyssaphernes-studious in the school of Socrates, who was his tutor and friendbrave at the head of armies : - he had the talent of conforming himself to all circumstances, and omitted no opportunity to distinguish himself in society.

He carried away many prizes in the Olympic games, and benefited his country by numerous exploits; but his services met with an unsuitable return. While commanding the land forces, Antiochus, his lieutenant, having lost a battle by sea, the misfortune was attributed to Alcibiades, and he was deprived of his commission.

Compelled to accept an asylum, offered him by Pharnabazus, he was betrayed by a Persian satrap, who had the cruelty to kill him with an arrow, in the 404 year B. C. This hero, who had rendered himself celebrated by many brilliant qualities, was then in his fiftieth year. Of this illustrious character, M. Turpin has drawn a very. striking portrait, which we do not hesitate to adopt.

ALCIBIADES SURPRISED BY SOCRATES.

"Nature, in forming Alcibiades, united all her powers to produce a perfect man. To features, noble and interesting, she joined a most graceful form, which, supported by great mental endowments, and affability of manners, enabled him to assume an absolute ascendancy over the hearts and understanding of his countrymen.Though born with passions of the strongest kind, he rendered them subservient to his ambition, and was alternately haughty and complaisant; profuse and frugal; modest and licentious; according to the exigencies of the moment. His beauty was not impaired by the ravages of time; and, by an exclusive privilege, he continued to please in the autumn of life, as well as in the spring. But his extraordinary endowments were often applied to the corruption of public morals. He lent to debauchery the graces of voluptuousness; and vice, in a manner, ennobled by his example, became stripped of its deformity."

This picture has been highly applauded by connoisseurs for the agreement of its parts, the delicacy of pencil observable in the composition, and the harmony of its tints.

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