DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.870#0018
■.
says of science, " studia adolescentiam alunt, senectutem oblectant; secundas res ornant, adversis
perfugium an solatim prabent; delectant domis, non impediunt foris, pernoctant nobiscum,
peregrinantur, rusticantur."
The most rude and savage tribes have constantly indicated a disposition to produce imitations of
objects around them; their incapability of attaining any excellence may naturally be attributed to
their uncultivated condition in all other respects. Still the Egyptian school, barbarous as it was,
paved the way for the production of those works of art, which at this day excite the admiration and
applause of the civilized world.
The introduction to this country of those admirable specimens of Grecian sculpture, the
transcendent beauty of which seems to have tempted even Time to suspend his ruthless hand, has
opened treasures to the school of art, to which until that period she had been a stranger.
A few travellers, it is true, had visited these monuments of taste and skill, and had given some
description of their arrangement, but it may be fairly asserted that none have transmitted to us any
adequate idea of the peculiar character and excellence, which distinguish them from all others that
have yet been discovered. The delight and admiration, witli which these relics were first viewed by-
some of the most eminent artists of this country, particularly by the venerable president of the Royal
Academy, furnish the strongest proofs of the value of such an acquisition, as well as the best defence
against certain hypercritical and affected lamentations on the violation of the unity of art and place;
lamentations well suited to the airy precincts of a poet's brain, but perfectly ridiculous when analysed
by the test of experience and real circumstances. To those who have a just conception of the
inestimable beauties of this collection, it can scarcely be necessary to offer any arguments in
says of science, " studia adolescentiam alunt, senectutem oblectant; secundas res ornant, adversis
perfugium an solatim prabent; delectant domis, non impediunt foris, pernoctant nobiscum,
peregrinantur, rusticantur."
The most rude and savage tribes have constantly indicated a disposition to produce imitations of
objects around them; their incapability of attaining any excellence may naturally be attributed to
their uncultivated condition in all other respects. Still the Egyptian school, barbarous as it was,
paved the way for the production of those works of art, which at this day excite the admiration and
applause of the civilized world.
The introduction to this country of those admirable specimens of Grecian sculpture, the
transcendent beauty of which seems to have tempted even Time to suspend his ruthless hand, has
opened treasures to the school of art, to which until that period she had been a stranger.
A few travellers, it is true, had visited these monuments of taste and skill, and had given some
description of their arrangement, but it may be fairly asserted that none have transmitted to us any
adequate idea of the peculiar character and excellence, which distinguish them from all others that
have yet been discovered. The delight and admiration, witli which these relics were first viewed by-
some of the most eminent artists of this country, particularly by the venerable president of the Royal
Academy, furnish the strongest proofs of the value of such an acquisition, as well as the best defence
against certain hypercritical and affected lamentations on the violation of the unity of art and place;
lamentations well suited to the airy precincts of a poet's brain, but perfectly ridiculous when analysed
by the test of experience and real circumstances. To those who have a just conception of the
inestimable beauties of this collection, it can scarcely be necessary to offer any arguments in