Memorandum on the subject of the Earl of Elgin's pursuits in Greece (London, 1811)

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the most enlightened patron of the arts,
and at a period when genius enjoyed the
most liberal encouragement, and had at-
tained the highest degree of perfection;
and that they had been found worthy
of forming the decoration of the most
admired edifice ever erected in Greece:
That he should have had the greatest
delight, and derived the greatest benefit,
from the opportunity Lord Elgin offered
him of having in his possession, and con-
templating, these inestimable marbles:
But, (his expression was,) it would be
sacrilege in him, or any man, to presume
to touch them with a chisel. Since their
arrival in this country, they have been
thrown open to the inspection of the
public; and the opinions and impres-
sions, not only of artists, but of men of
taste in general, have thus been formed
and collected. From these, the judgment
pronounced by Canova has been univer-