DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.61277#0150
122 TREATISE ON MUSIC.
the interest of the undertaking, and diminished
the anxiety with which the public had awaited
its appearance. It was in vain that Mazzocchi
and Rosini wrote theii' learned comments upon
this dull performance; the sedative was too
strong. Philodemus was deeply versed in philoso-
phy as well as in polite literature, certainly, and the
discovery of the productions of such a writer could
scarcely fail of being deemed a most invaluable ac-
quisition by the real lovei’ of ancient literature;
but all are not antiquaries. It is difficult to
awaken interest that has repeatedly been allow-
ed to cool; and the consequence was, that the
curiosity, which had been justly excited, was as
quickly lulled to repose. A few men of letters
indeed lamented that no farther search was made
for some happier subject, on which learned indus-
try might be employed; but the reasons above
stated, and the uncertainty of producing any
thing valuable, had, apparently, discouraged and
distrusted the academicians of Portici.
CT
Things were in this state, when his present
Majesty, George the Fourth (then Prince Re-
gent) with that liberality and munificence which
does equal honour to his taste and his public
spirit, proposed to the Neapolitan government to
defray the expenses of unrolling, deciphering, and
the interest of the undertaking, and diminished
the anxiety with which the public had awaited
its appearance. It was in vain that Mazzocchi
and Rosini wrote theii' learned comments upon
this dull performance; the sedative was too
strong. Philodemus was deeply versed in philoso-
phy as well as in polite literature, certainly, and the
discovery of the productions of such a writer could
scarcely fail of being deemed a most invaluable ac-
quisition by the real lovei’ of ancient literature;
but all are not antiquaries. It is difficult to
awaken interest that has repeatedly been allow-
ed to cool; and the consequence was, that the
curiosity, which had been justly excited, was as
quickly lulled to repose. A few men of letters
indeed lamented that no farther search was made
for some happier subject, on which learned indus-
try might be employed; but the reasons above
stated, and the uncertainty of producing any
thing valuable, had, apparently, discouraged and
distrusted the academicians of Portici.
CT
Things were in this state, when his present
Majesty, George the Fourth (then Prince Re-
gent) with that liberality and munificence which
does equal honour to his taste and his public
spirit, proposed to the Neapolitan government to
defray the expenses of unrolling, deciphering, and