DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.8211#0009
PLAN OF THE WORK.
i
The triple Inscription of Rosetta having afforded a prospect of the
partial interpretation of the Egyptian hieroglyphics in general, it becomes a
matter of high importance, for the advancement of literature and of the study of
antiquities, to collect and preserve all the remains of the Hieroglyphical
Inscriptions and Manuscripts, which have hitherto escaped the injuries of
time. For this purpose, the efforts of a single individual would probably be
too feeble, and the duration of a single life might possibly be too short; but it
may be effected with much more ease, and with far greater certainty, by the
continued cooperation of a Select Society, determined to keep it constantly in
view.
The process of lithography affords a ready mode of obtaining a moderate
number of copies of a drawing at a cheap rate. The object of this collection
being to exhibit perfectly correct representations of the greatest possible extent
of materials for a limited sum, the introduction of any unnecessary ornament
would obviously be inconsistent with its complete attainment; and the delineation
of all works of art, as such, must, for the same reason, be excluded.
It will naturally be desirable to select, in the first instance, in order for
their permanent preservation, such inscriptions and manuscripts as have not yet
been published; but it is intended that the work should ultimately comprehend
every thing of the kind that can be obtained; not only because some of the most
important materials are thinly scattered through a variety of magnificent and
expensive works, but also because such a collection would afford a very great
convenience, both for study and for reference, even to those who are already
possessed of the original works which contain them.
In order to avoid the introduction of arbitrary hypotheses and erroneous
conclusions, no commentaries, nor even any particular nomenclature, will be
admitted into this series of hieroglyphics. It was indeed in contemplation to
have begun the work with a copy of the Inscription of Rosetta, subdivided, and
having the parallel passages of the three texts printed together, according to the
arrangement of the anonymous translation published in the Archaeologia; but it
has been thought more advisable to defer this comparison, in the hope that some
of the duplicates of the stone, which have remained more entire, may speedily
be obtained from Egypt.
The execution of the work is so arranged, as to afford the subscribers the
greatest possible benefit for their contributions; and not only the whole of the money
collected will be employed for defraying the expenses, but some further voluntary
assistance may be expected from individuals; a nobleman, who has travelled in
Egypt, having already set the example, by taking upon himself the expense of
the drawings of a valuable hieroglyphical manuscript, which he has lately
received from the British Consul at Cairo.
Each Subscriber will be required to pay One Guinea in advance at the
time of subscribing, and Two Guineas annually upon the receipt of each
volume, which will probably contain from 20 to 50 folio plates.
i
The triple Inscription of Rosetta having afforded a prospect of the
partial interpretation of the Egyptian hieroglyphics in general, it becomes a
matter of high importance, for the advancement of literature and of the study of
antiquities, to collect and preserve all the remains of the Hieroglyphical
Inscriptions and Manuscripts, which have hitherto escaped the injuries of
time. For this purpose, the efforts of a single individual would probably be
too feeble, and the duration of a single life might possibly be too short; but it
may be effected with much more ease, and with far greater certainty, by the
continued cooperation of a Select Society, determined to keep it constantly in
view.
The process of lithography affords a ready mode of obtaining a moderate
number of copies of a drawing at a cheap rate. The object of this collection
being to exhibit perfectly correct representations of the greatest possible extent
of materials for a limited sum, the introduction of any unnecessary ornament
would obviously be inconsistent with its complete attainment; and the delineation
of all works of art, as such, must, for the same reason, be excluded.
It will naturally be desirable to select, in the first instance, in order for
their permanent preservation, such inscriptions and manuscripts as have not yet
been published; but it is intended that the work should ultimately comprehend
every thing of the kind that can be obtained; not only because some of the most
important materials are thinly scattered through a variety of magnificent and
expensive works, but also because such a collection would afford a very great
convenience, both for study and for reference, even to those who are already
possessed of the original works which contain them.
In order to avoid the introduction of arbitrary hypotheses and erroneous
conclusions, no commentaries, nor even any particular nomenclature, will be
admitted into this series of hieroglyphics. It was indeed in contemplation to
have begun the work with a copy of the Inscription of Rosetta, subdivided, and
having the parallel passages of the three texts printed together, according to the
arrangement of the anonymous translation published in the Archaeologia; but it
has been thought more advisable to defer this comparison, in the hope that some
of the duplicates of the stone, which have remained more entire, may speedily
be obtained from Egypt.
The execution of the work is so arranged, as to afford the subscribers the
greatest possible benefit for their contributions; and not only the whole of the money
collected will be employed for defraying the expenses, but some further voluntary
assistance may be expected from individuals; a nobleman, who has travelled in
Egypt, having already set the example, by taking upon himself the expense of
the drawings of a valuable hieroglyphical manuscript, which he has lately
received from the British Consul at Cairo.
Each Subscriber will be required to pay One Guinea in advance at the
time of subscribing, and Two Guineas annually upon the receipt of each
volume, which will probably contain from 20 to 50 folio plates.