DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.7898#0009
PREFACE.
The object of the author, in undertaking the present work, was to make
known a number of Ancient Monuments remarkable for beauty of Art, or pre-
senting subjects interesting to History and Mythology, either existing in vari-
ous collections, but hitherto unpublished, or such as are gradually discovered.
The number of Ancient works of Art of every kind which have been accu-
mulating in England for the space of nearly two centuries, is perhaps greater
than in any other country of Europe, Italy excepted. It is, however, a fre-
quent subject of complaint, especially with foreigners, that literary treasures,
from which such great benefits could be derived, are so little known. Dis-
persed in various and distant parts of the country, they can be seen only at a
great expense, and access to them is often with difficulty obtained.
Some collections, it is true, have been published by their possessors in a
splendid manner; but such works being either two costly, or intended for pre-
sents, are not of general use. Hence, it was the intention of the author, to
have selected more particularly such remains of Ancient Art as are preserved
in Great Britain.
Though fully aware that all previous attempts of the kind in this country,
except directed by Literary Societies, or men of great rank and opulence, had
failed, the author hoped that since the acquisition of the sculptures of Phi-
dias, the formation of a National Gallery, and the appearance of a reviving
taste, he should have met with more encouragement.
In that expectation however he has been disappointed, and owing to the
small number of subscribers, having experienced a considerable loss, he is
compelled to contract the limits of the work, which instead of Sixteen Numbers,
will be confined to Ten. He has been obliged, in particular, to renounce his
intention of making known what is most remarkable in this country, from
the difficulty of obtaining access to some collections, and the high prices re-
quired by artists. Ill health has been an additional motive to prevent him
from continuing the undertaking.
The object of the author, in undertaking the present work, was to make
known a number of Ancient Monuments remarkable for beauty of Art, or pre-
senting subjects interesting to History and Mythology, either existing in vari-
ous collections, but hitherto unpublished, or such as are gradually discovered.
The number of Ancient works of Art of every kind which have been accu-
mulating in England for the space of nearly two centuries, is perhaps greater
than in any other country of Europe, Italy excepted. It is, however, a fre-
quent subject of complaint, especially with foreigners, that literary treasures,
from which such great benefits could be derived, are so little known. Dis-
persed in various and distant parts of the country, they can be seen only at a
great expense, and access to them is often with difficulty obtained.
Some collections, it is true, have been published by their possessors in a
splendid manner; but such works being either two costly, or intended for pre-
sents, are not of general use. Hence, it was the intention of the author, to
have selected more particularly such remains of Ancient Art as are preserved
in Great Britain.
Though fully aware that all previous attempts of the kind in this country,
except directed by Literary Societies, or men of great rank and opulence, had
failed, the author hoped that since the acquisition of the sculptures of Phi-
dias, the formation of a National Gallery, and the appearance of a reviving
taste, he should have met with more encouragement.
In that expectation however he has been disappointed, and owing to the
small number of subscribers, having experienced a considerable loss, he is
compelled to contract the limits of the work, which instead of Sixteen Numbers,
will be confined to Ten. He has been obliged, in particular, to renounce his
intention of making known what is most remarkable in this country, from
the difficulty of obtaining access to some collections, and the high prices re-
quired by artists. Ill health has been an additional motive to prevent him
from continuing the undertaking.