DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.19571#0009
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PREFACE.
TT is needlefs to apologize for fending forth
JL this production, as it is calculated to
improve the riling genius, and to render the
fludy and practice of the polite arts eafy and
agreeable to thofe vvhowifhto tread the pleafing
paths of fcience.
We need no greater flimulation to the ftudv
of the arts than a due contemplation of their
fjgnificancy to mankind, and a reflection on
the eftimation in which they have been held by
the wife ft men, and in the greateft nations upon
earth. To trace their beginning among men,
we fhould find them coeval with man himfelf.
The remembrance of the moft extraordinary
events, as well as the learning of the firft men,
was prelerved by means of the fine arts. Re-
calling to memory the great actions of their an-
cestors, they were the noblefl fpurto their pof-
terity to imitate their virtues, lo beneficial to
fociety, and all great minds have ever been
moft fenfible to impreffions of this kind. It
is not eafy to imagine a higher merit, than
that of infpiring thofe who were the moft ca-
pable in exerting themfelves in the fervice of
human nature, with a love of storv and im-
mortality. It is no wonder then, if the arts
were held in diftin°;uifhed honour bv the
greateft kings, and the mofl powerful com-
A monwealths,
PREFACE.
TT is needlefs to apologize for fending forth
JL this production, as it is calculated to
improve the riling genius, and to render the
fludy and practice of the polite arts eafy and
agreeable to thofe vvhowifhto tread the pleafing
paths of fcience.
We need no greater flimulation to the ftudv
of the arts than a due contemplation of their
fjgnificancy to mankind, and a reflection on
the eftimation in which they have been held by
the wife ft men, and in the greateft nations upon
earth. To trace their beginning among men,
we fhould find them coeval with man himfelf.
The remembrance of the moft extraordinary
events, as well as the learning of the firft men,
was prelerved by means of the fine arts. Re-
calling to memory the great actions of their an-
cestors, they were the noblefl fpurto their pof-
terity to imitate their virtues, lo beneficial to
fociety, and all great minds have ever been
moft fenfible to impreffions of this kind. It
is not eafy to imagine a higher merit, than
that of infpiring thofe who were the moft ca-
pable in exerting themfelves in the fervice of
human nature, with a love of storv and im-
mortality. It is no wonder then, if the arts
were held in diftin°;uifhed honour bv the
greateft kings, and the mofl powerful com-
A monwealths,