Combe, Taylor [Hrsg.]: A description of the collection of ancient Marbles in the British Museum: with engravings (Band 7) (London, 1835)

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spoke of them with admiration and enthusiasm;
they perceived in them an union of fine composition
and very grand form with a true and natural effect of
action upon the human frame ; possessing that variety
which is produced in the human form by the alternate
action and repose of the muscles ; and, notwithstand-
ing the manifold injuries of time and weather, and
those mutilations which they had sustained from the
fortuitous or designed injuries of neglect or mischief,
they considered them as among the finest models, and
the most exquisite monuments of antiquity. The
general current of evidence made no doubt of referring
the date of these works to the original building of the
Parthenon, and to the designs of Phidias ; and the
witnesses recommended them as highly fit and admira-
bly adapted for a school of study, to improve our
national taste for the fine arts, and to diffuse a more
perfect knowledge of them throughout this kingdom."
West " found in this collection of sculptures so much
excellence in art, and a variety so magnificent and
boundless, that every branch of science connected with
the fine arts would not fail to acquire something from
its contemplation." Canova " thought himself happy
in having been able to see with his own eyes these
distinguished works; he admired in them the truth of

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