Buchanan, William: Memoirs of painting: with a chronological history of the importation of pictures by the great masters into England since the French Revolution (Band 1) (London: Ackermann, 1824)

INTRODUCTION. xiii
events in the history of Europe, which for
a considerable length of time not only revo-
lutionised her ancient politics, and impeded
or diverted the natural current of her trade
and commerce, but forced from their ancient
sanctuaries those treasures of Science and
of Art, that had long been the pride and
glory of the states to which they belonged.
“ La chute du trdne de Constantin porta
dans 1’Italie les debris de 1’ancienne Grece ;
la France s’enrichit a son tour de ces pre-
cieuses depouilles.”—What Rousseau has
said of Constantinople we may apply to
France and Italy;—from these sources have
our principal riches in art been derived.
During the conflicting storms which
ravaged the continent of Europe, Great
Britain alone presented a bulwark to which
foreign nations looked with awe and with
respect; and although at war with her
politically, they still confided in her honour