DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.47231#0009
PREFACE
The published work of the late Dr. Middleton bore but a small
proportion to the store of varied erudition and of skilled observation with
which he was equipped to an exceptional degree. Owing to the liberality
with which he placed his knowledge and experience at the disposal of any
student who sought his advice, something is also preserved in the memory
and even in the publications of his friends and pupils, and of others who felt
his influence or were at one time or another associated with him in their
work. Another direct record of his own observations will be welcome not
only to those who knew him personally, but to all who are interested
in the remains of classical antiquity ; and such a record, by the kindness of
Mrs. Middleton and Professor Middleton’s executors, is now offered to the
members of the Society for the Promotion of Hellenic Studies.
After the conclusion of his book on Rome, Dr. Middleton was employed
upon the preparation of a somewhat similar book on the topography of
Athens. For this purpose he had accumulated several volumes of notes,
of which the most valuable consisted of architectural and topographical
sketches and drawings made on the spot, mostly in the spring of 1890 and of
1892. With the help of these note-books, and of other material published
and unpublished, Dr. Middleton was preparing a series of large plans and
drawings, intended for reproduction in his book ; and a considerable propor-
tion of these drawings was actually finished before his work was interrupted
by his death in June, 1896. The series was, however, far from complete, and
no continuous text had been prepared; so that it was found impracticable
to publish the book in accordance with the original design. Under these
circumstances Dr. Middleton’s executors, anxious to prevent the loss of so
much valuable material, offered it to the Hellenic Society for publication. I
was deputed by the Council of the Society to confer with Mr. Somers Clarke,
who had charge of Dr. Middleton’s papers; and, as a result, was able to
present a report to the Council which led them to decide on the present
The published work of the late Dr. Middleton bore but a small
proportion to the store of varied erudition and of skilled observation with
which he was equipped to an exceptional degree. Owing to the liberality
with which he placed his knowledge and experience at the disposal of any
student who sought his advice, something is also preserved in the memory
and even in the publications of his friends and pupils, and of others who felt
his influence or were at one time or another associated with him in their
work. Another direct record of his own observations will be welcome not
only to those who knew him personally, but to all who are interested
in the remains of classical antiquity ; and such a record, by the kindness of
Mrs. Middleton and Professor Middleton’s executors, is now offered to the
members of the Society for the Promotion of Hellenic Studies.
After the conclusion of his book on Rome, Dr. Middleton was employed
upon the preparation of a somewhat similar book on the topography of
Athens. For this purpose he had accumulated several volumes of notes,
of which the most valuable consisted of architectural and topographical
sketches and drawings made on the spot, mostly in the spring of 1890 and of
1892. With the help of these note-books, and of other material published
and unpublished, Dr. Middleton was preparing a series of large plans and
drawings, intended for reproduction in his book ; and a considerable propor-
tion of these drawings was actually finished before his work was interrupted
by his death in June, 1896. The series was, however, far from complete, and
no continuous text had been prepared; so that it was found impracticable
to publish the book in accordance with the original design. Under these
circumstances Dr. Middleton’s executors, anxious to prevent the loss of so
much valuable material, offered it to the Hellenic Society for publication. I
was deputed by the Council of the Society to confer with Mr. Somers Clarke,
who had charge of Dr. Middleton’s papers; and, as a result, was able to
present a report to the Council which led them to decide on the present