DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.15097#0027
25
and of the ancient magnificence and power of their
country, appear to have been gratified with the profit-
able occupation it afforded them, and sensible of the
advantages derived from the expenditure of so much
wealth within the city. The statement of these cir-
cumstances in this place will be excused, as the
description of the articles themselves may properly be
accompanied by an account of the mode in which they
were obtained ; and it is essential to the honour of the
country, as well as of Lord Elgin, that his conduct in
this matter should be vindicated from the charges of
plunder and barbarism which have been brought
against him by ignorance, envy or malice.
It will not be uninteresting to state as nearly as
possible, the condition of this magnificent temple, as
far as regards its sculptured ornaments at the time of
Lord Elgin's arrival in Greece. The statues in the
eastern pediment remained in the same state as they
appear in Carrey's drawing, with the exception of the
head of the third female figure from the right, which
had disappeared; upon the base of the pediment his
Lordship found the Torso of the Amphitrite, or the
wingless Victory, as it has been otherwise named
(Part VI. Plate XVIII.), which, having been thrown
E
and of the ancient magnificence and power of their
country, appear to have been gratified with the profit-
able occupation it afforded them, and sensible of the
advantages derived from the expenditure of so much
wealth within the city. The statement of these cir-
cumstances in this place will be excused, as the
description of the articles themselves may properly be
accompanied by an account of the mode in which they
were obtained ; and it is essential to the honour of the
country, as well as of Lord Elgin, that his conduct in
this matter should be vindicated from the charges of
plunder and barbarism which have been brought
against him by ignorance, envy or malice.
It will not be uninteresting to state as nearly as
possible, the condition of this magnificent temple, as
far as regards its sculptured ornaments at the time of
Lord Elgin's arrival in Greece. The statues in the
eastern pediment remained in the same state as they
appear in Carrey's drawing, with the exception of the
head of the third female figure from the right, which
had disappeared; upon the base of the pediment his
Lordship found the Torso of the Amphitrite, or the
wingless Victory, as it has been otherwise named
(Part VI. Plate XVIII.), which, having been thrown
E