DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.3483#0007
2 INTRODUCTION.
jects, arid so delightful in their pursuit, as the study of engraved
gems, or the seal-rings of the ancients. These have preserved
the images and the attributes of the ancient mythology, and the
features of illustrious men; they sometimes exhibit the most
curious details of ancient customs and religious ceremonies;
ingenious and moral allegories; and are often precious copies of
the most beautiful pieces of Grecian sculpture; Avhile others dis-
play a rich source of picturesque imagination; the sports and
the models of the greatest artists. As these gems have been en-
graven on the most solid substances, they have not suffered any
alteration by time, but uniting to the beauty of their materials
the merit of the most perfect execution, make us admire the mi-
racles of an art, which (as it has been prettily observed, and as
Mr. Hayley tells us in our motto) appear by the delicacy and the
correctness of the workmanship to rival the industry of nature in
the beautiful formation of insects.
When we consider that gems preserve for the amateur the finest
copies of statues and groups; for the antiquary the manners and
customs of the ancients ; for the historian remarkable events; for
the painter his finest studies; and for the poet innumerable
images; we are sensible how extensive must be that learning
which is requisite to initiate the reader into the first elements of
these studies. Perhaps no work has yet appeared, composed in
a popular or an elegant form adapted to this purpose; to com-
pose so agreeable a work is an honour reserved for a writer of
learning and taste; this humble essay only aspires to be useful.
jects, arid so delightful in their pursuit, as the study of engraved
gems, or the seal-rings of the ancients. These have preserved
the images and the attributes of the ancient mythology, and the
features of illustrious men; they sometimes exhibit the most
curious details of ancient customs and religious ceremonies;
ingenious and moral allegories; and are often precious copies of
the most beautiful pieces of Grecian sculpture; Avhile others dis-
play a rich source of picturesque imagination; the sports and
the models of the greatest artists. As these gems have been en-
graven on the most solid substances, they have not suffered any
alteration by time, but uniting to the beauty of their materials
the merit of the most perfect execution, make us admire the mi-
racles of an art, which (as it has been prettily observed, and as
Mr. Hayley tells us in our motto) appear by the delicacy and the
correctness of the workmanship to rival the industry of nature in
the beautiful formation of insects.
When we consider that gems preserve for the amateur the finest
copies of statues and groups; for the antiquary the manners and
customs of the ancients ; for the historian remarkable events; for
the painter his finest studies; and for the poet innumerable
images; we are sensible how extensive must be that learning
which is requisite to initiate the reader into the first elements of
these studies. Perhaps no work has yet appeared, composed in
a popular or an elegant form adapted to this purpose; to com-
pose so agreeable a work is an honour reserved for a writer of
learning and taste; this humble essay only aspires to be useful.