DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.1457#0121
ESSAY. 93
constitutions ecclesiastical and civil concurred
with the spirit of piety which then prevailed,
in providing structures for religious worship.
In subsequent ages this spirit still increased,
and occasioned an emulation in raising reli-
gious [44] edifices wherever it was necessary,
or in adorning those which were already raised.
—The fruits of this ardour we now reap.
Since then, the pious munificence of our an-
cestors has raised these sacred edifices, appro-
priated to religious uses, we are surely under
the strongest obligations to repair as much as
possible the injuries of time, and preserve
them by every precaution from total ruin and
decay. Where the particular funds appro-
priated to this purpose are insufficient, it be-
comes necessary to apply to the affluent, who
cannot surely refuse to prevent by their liberal
contributions the severe reproach of neglecting
those structures which in all ages have been
held sacred.
" Horace tells the Roman people,
Dii multa neglecti dederunt
Hesperias mala luctuosas;
a"(l assures them their misfortunes will not
end till they repair the temples of their gods:
Delicta majorum immeritus lues,
Romane, donee templa refeceris,
iEdesque labentes deorum, et
Fceda riia.ro simulacra i'unw.
constitutions ecclesiastical and civil concurred
with the spirit of piety which then prevailed,
in providing structures for religious worship.
In subsequent ages this spirit still increased,
and occasioned an emulation in raising reli-
gious [44] edifices wherever it was necessary,
or in adorning those which were already raised.
—The fruits of this ardour we now reap.
Since then, the pious munificence of our an-
cestors has raised these sacred edifices, appro-
priated to religious uses, we are surely under
the strongest obligations to repair as much as
possible the injuries of time, and preserve
them by every precaution from total ruin and
decay. Where the particular funds appro-
priated to this purpose are insufficient, it be-
comes necessary to apply to the affluent, who
cannot surely refuse to prevent by their liberal
contributions the severe reproach of neglecting
those structures which in all ages have been
held sacred.
" Horace tells the Roman people,
Dii multa neglecti dederunt
Hesperias mala luctuosas;
a"(l assures them their misfortunes will not
end till they repair the temples of their gods:
Delicta majorum immeritus lues,
Romane, donee templa refeceris,
iEdesque labentes deorum, et
Fceda riia.ro simulacra i'unw.