DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.15097#0036
34
nature, united to the choice of the finest forms. Every
thing," he observes, " breathes life, with a variety,
with an exquisite knowledge of art, but without the
least ostentation or parade of it, which is concealed
by consummate and masterly skill. The naked flesh
is perfect, and most beautiful in its kind." After
receiving such high testimonials of their merit and
value, the Committee recommended that they should
be purchased for the public, and they judged thirty-
five thousand pounds to be a reasonable and sufficient
price for the collection ; recommending at the same
time, that the Earl of Elgin and his heirs (being Earls
of Elgin) should be Trustees of the British Museum.
We cannot terminate these remarks better than in
the words in which the Committee close their report,
and state the motives which actuated them in their
recommendation of the acquisition of these sculptures
as public property.
" Your Committee cannot dismiss this interesting
subject without submitting to the attentive reflection
of the House, how highly the cultivation of the fine
arts has contributed to the reputation, character, and
dignity of every government by which they have been
nature, united to the choice of the finest forms. Every
thing," he observes, " breathes life, with a variety,
with an exquisite knowledge of art, but without the
least ostentation or parade of it, which is concealed
by consummate and masterly skill. The naked flesh
is perfect, and most beautiful in its kind." After
receiving such high testimonials of their merit and
value, the Committee recommended that they should
be purchased for the public, and they judged thirty-
five thousand pounds to be a reasonable and sufficient
price for the collection ; recommending at the same
time, that the Earl of Elgin and his heirs (being Earls
of Elgin) should be Trustees of the British Museum.
We cannot terminate these remarks better than in
the words in which the Committee close their report,
and state the motives which actuated them in their
recommendation of the acquisition of these sculptures
as public property.
" Your Committee cannot dismiss this interesting
subject without submitting to the attentive reflection
of the House, how highly the cultivation of the fine
arts has contributed to the reputation, character, and
dignity of every government by which they have been