_Death._--I am making a collection, for a literary purpose, of the forms
or similitudes under which the idea of Death has been embodied in
different ages, and among different nations, and shall be highly obliged
by any additions which your numerous learned and intelligent
correspondents may be able to make to my stock of materials. References
to manuscripts, books, coins, paintings, and sculptures, will be highly
acceptable. I must confess that it has not yet been in my power to trace
satisfactorily the origin, or the earliest pictorial example, of the
current representation of Death as a skeleton, with hour-glass and
scythe.