(i) PREFACE. THE HE defign of the following Effay is to confider the Study of Antiquities as a branch of polite learning, and to fhew its intimate connection with the most elegant, as well as the most useful parts of Science. THE Study of Antiquities is generally confidered either as confined within the compass of mere curiofity; or as dry and uninteresting, and therefore incompatible with the more elegant purfuits of Genius. This powerful and prevailing prejudice places it at too great a distance to admit of an impartial view. But when the nature of this study, and the various objects of it, are are attentively examined and compared, the mind is gratified with a new pleafure; and experiences the involuntary operation of those feelings, which had fo lively an influence on CORREGGIO, when he first beheld a picture of RaPHAEL. Ed io anche fon Antiquario. THOUGH the prejudice commonly attending this study seems to be difappearing, from the liberal manner in which it is by many now conducted, the Author was willing to contribute his humble affistance towards effecting so desirable purpose. When a wished event has taken place, it is a fatisfaction to have exerted even the feebleft effort. He had alfo other motives which induced him to make it public. As he is engaged in an Inquiry into the origin and formation of the Greek Language, the general plan of which he has given fome view view of in a few curfory remarks at the end of the Effay; and as he means shortly to publish a Specimen of the Inquiry, he wished to give some notice of it to the public before he submitted a formal Specimen to its cenfure. HE chufes the mode of Specimen for this reason. The present age of novelty and project, of System and refinement, while it has ftruck out many truths which were unknown to preceding generations, has also given birth to many reveries, the fuccefs of which has afforded fufficient experience to make every perfon, in the conduct of any new Inquiry, fufpicious even of his own conjectures. Though after a regular and careful review of the Inquiry, the Author has fettled his own opinion concerning it, he is not confident enough to think himself so well able to determine mine on its merit, as the impartial and difinterested judgement of others. If after the publication of the Specimen he shall be convinced by any objections, which may be brought against it, that he has been mistaken in his design, he will have it in his power to put an early period to his researches, while he shall have little reason to regret the loss of time, or disappointment of fuccefs. But if his System shall be thought by others to be founded on Truth, he will have then an active spur to his diligence in the further prosecution of his Inquiry. The Author has taken advantage of this fecond Edition to enlarge the additional Obfervations, which are divided into two parts, and make the Second, and Third part of the Effay. In the Second he has expatiated more freely and minutely on fome of the subjects mentioned |