Spence, Joseph; Tindal, Nicholas [Editor]; Dodsley, James [Oth.]: A Guide To Classical Learning: Or, Polymetis Abridged: Containing, I. By Way of Introduction, the Characters of the Latin Poets and their Work ... II. An Inquiry concerning the Agreement between the Works of the Roman Poets and the Remains of the Antient Artists ... Being a Work absolutely necessary, not only for the Right Understanding of the Classics, but also for forming in Young Minds a True Taste for the Beauties of Poetry, Sculpture, and Painting (London: Printed for J. Dodsley, 1786)

PREFACE.
things! by which means a solid founda-
tion would be laid in their young minds
for understanding the dassies; for acquir-
ing a true taste for the beauties of poetry,
painring, and sculpture; and for enabling
them to judge of the excellencies and
defedts of our allegorists, transsators, and
artists.
For these purposes this abridgement is
offered to all those who are concerned in
the education of youth : being the first
and only attempt (as hath been observed)
towards giving a true idea of the allego-
ries and machinery of the antients, and an
accurate and authentic description of the
figures, attributes, and other appearances
of the allegorical and moral beings re-
ceived as deities among the Romans.
In the course of this Inquiry an account
is given of a great number os the most no-
ted pictures, statues, gems, and medalsrat
Rome, Florence, &c. and not a few good
fubjedts are recommended to our modern
artists and painters from the descriptions
in the old poets. There are also occasional
hints at some of the resemblances between
the religion profelsed of old at Rome, and
that which is pradtised there now, with a
general