DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.18825#0014
4 HISTORY OP ART. [lECT- i.
ligence in very early ages. I think we may fairly
presume, that after mankind had paid what they
thought sufficient attention to necessary convenience
in their dwellings, that kind of natural affection
which arises from the attention bestowed on its sub-
ject, would prompt the possessor to the addition of
ornaments, which Design alone could furnish ; and
if this be natural in respect to ordinary residences,
it is yet more likely with respect to those of great
men, princes, and sovereigns; and especially to
temples, and edifices for worship, the supposed re-
sidences of the Divinity to whom they were conse-
crated. As to the labour and expence requisite for
such works, we can appeal to numerous instances in
proof that: these were not spared; and we might further
confirm this idea by observing, that (according to
the opinion of many learned men) the most ancient
original records now extant, are those related, with
prodigious labour and skill, by significant figures
inscribed upon marble and stone.
• This part of our subject might be illustrated by
adverting to the manners of those nations with whom
our acquaintance is modern ; as they, in the state of
simple nature (or nearly) were not totally ignorant
of the arts, may we not reasonably infer, that out-
own parts of the globe, when in the same state, might
possess the same talents ?
We are informed by the accounts transmitted to us,
that the Spaniards, when they discovered Mexico, &c.
found the Art of Design practised among the people
of that country as a mode of conveying intelligence :
it is still used to the same purpose by sundry tribes
of
ligence in very early ages. I think we may fairly
presume, that after mankind had paid what they
thought sufficient attention to necessary convenience
in their dwellings, that kind of natural affection
which arises from the attention bestowed on its sub-
ject, would prompt the possessor to the addition of
ornaments, which Design alone could furnish ; and
if this be natural in respect to ordinary residences,
it is yet more likely with respect to those of great
men, princes, and sovereigns; and especially to
temples, and edifices for worship, the supposed re-
sidences of the Divinity to whom they were conse-
crated. As to the labour and expence requisite for
such works, we can appeal to numerous instances in
proof that: these were not spared; and we might further
confirm this idea by observing, that (according to
the opinion of many learned men) the most ancient
original records now extant, are those related, with
prodigious labour and skill, by significant figures
inscribed upon marble and stone.
• This part of our subject might be illustrated by
adverting to the manners of those nations with whom
our acquaintance is modern ; as they, in the state of
simple nature (or nearly) were not totally ignorant
of the arts, may we not reasonably infer, that out-
own parts of the globe, when in the same state, might
possess the same talents ?
We are informed by the accounts transmitted to us,
that the Spaniards, when they discovered Mexico, &c.
found the Art of Design practised among the people
of that country as a mode of conveying intelligence :
it is still used to the same purpose by sundry tribes
of