DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.1041#0148
History of the Society of Dilettanti 1x9
The book commences with a 'Preliminary Disserta- Proposed
tion on the Rise, Progress, and Decline of Antient second
Sculpture' from the pen of Payne Knight. A second vokme-
volume was in immediate contemplation, some of
the plates even having been engraved before the
publication of the first; but this sequel was in
point of fact not completed until many years later.
During the years when the leading spirits among opportu-
the Dilettanti were thus engaged in preparing the mties lost
first volume of the Specimens^ they unfortunately ma*w 'e-
turned a deaf ear to other, and what in one instance
at least ought to have been far stronger, claims
on their attention. Such neglect was due partly,
no doubt, to pre-occupation with their own chosen
task, and partly also, it may perhaps be feared, to
some touch of that spirit of jealousy and prejudice
from which the pursuits of the collector and con-
noisseur are not always exempt.
One example occurs in the spring of 1803, when sir William
it is recorded under date March 6 that Hamilton's
notes ana
' The Right Honble. Sir William Hamilton, K. B., offered to drawings.
this Society a collection of the original Notes and Drawings
relative to the Discoveries in the City of Herculaneum made
during the course of the excavations in that City by the Padre
Antonio Piazzi & by the Padre himself given to Sir Wm.
Hamilton, in order that the Society might publish the same in
such manner as they may think Proper.
* ResolvM That the Society do accept from their worthy member
Sr Wm. Hamilton this most valuable present & do return their
sincere thanks for the same.
'Secondly That the Papers presented by Sr William Hamilton
be referred to the Committee of Publication, who on inspection
of them shall report to the Society their sentiments with respect
to the most eligible mode to be pursued in their publication.
c jrdly. That the next ordinary meeting of the Society shall
be on Sunday April 17th on account of the Easter Holidays and
that an open Committee of this Society shall meet on Sunday,
March zjth to consider of the Publication of the Manuscripts
communicated by Sir Wm. Hamilton.5
The book commences with a 'Preliminary Disserta- Proposed
tion on the Rise, Progress, and Decline of Antient second
Sculpture' from the pen of Payne Knight. A second vokme-
volume was in immediate contemplation, some of
the plates even having been engraved before the
publication of the first; but this sequel was in
point of fact not completed until many years later.
During the years when the leading spirits among opportu-
the Dilettanti were thus engaged in preparing the mties lost
first volume of the Specimens^ they unfortunately ma*w 'e-
turned a deaf ear to other, and what in one instance
at least ought to have been far stronger, claims
on their attention. Such neglect was due partly,
no doubt, to pre-occupation with their own chosen
task, and partly also, it may perhaps be feared, to
some touch of that spirit of jealousy and prejudice
from which the pursuits of the collector and con-
noisseur are not always exempt.
One example occurs in the spring of 1803, when sir William
it is recorded under date March 6 that Hamilton's
notes ana
' The Right Honble. Sir William Hamilton, K. B., offered to drawings.
this Society a collection of the original Notes and Drawings
relative to the Discoveries in the City of Herculaneum made
during the course of the excavations in that City by the Padre
Antonio Piazzi & by the Padre himself given to Sir Wm.
Hamilton, in order that the Society might publish the same in
such manner as they may think Proper.
* ResolvM That the Society do accept from their worthy member
Sr Wm. Hamilton this most valuable present & do return their
sincere thanks for the same.
'Secondly That the Papers presented by Sr William Hamilton
be referred to the Committee of Publication, who on inspection
of them shall report to the Society their sentiments with respect
to the most eligible mode to be pursued in their publication.
c jrdly. That the next ordinary meeting of the Society shall
be on Sunday April 17th on account of the Easter Holidays and
that an open Committee of this Society shall meet on Sunday,
March zjth to consider of the Publication of the Manuscripts
communicated by Sir Wm. Hamilton.5