Christie, James: Disquisitions upon the painted Greek vases, and their probable connection with the shows of the Eleusinian and other mysteries (London, 1825)

PREFACE.

As these disquisitions were not originally intended for the public
eye, the writer, several years ago, was induced to limit an im-
pression of them to a small number of copies, that he might have
the pleasure of placing them in the hands of a learned few, for
whom he entertained a particular affection or respect, and whom
he knew to be conversant with, or interested in, the subject of
his enquiry. While the book was confined to this circle, he felt
the less pain when he subsequently discovered its many imper-
fections, but he soon found with considerable regret, that by this
attempt at privacy, he had unintentionally stamped a price upon
it that was greatly beyond its merits. He has long wished to
correct this unfair estimate of its value; and as many new dis-
coveries (if he may dare to term them such) have presented
themselves in the course of his further reading and reflection, he
now lays his disquisitions before the public, revised, and some-
what enlarged ; aware, however, that, in adding to the contents
of his work, he will have increased the occasion he had for the
reader's indulgence.

He apprehends that few, since the time of D'Hancarville,
have been disposed to regard the embellishments of these vases
as fair specimens of the art of painting among the Greeks. Ne-
vertheless, he will venture to repeat on this occasion, an observ-