confirmed; many mifrepresentations have been corrected, and the real motives of actions laid open, which had been disguised by the jealousy of the times, or the partiality of hiftorians. And at length Biography afsumed that interesting form and dignity of character which has defervedly placed it amongst the favorite productions of every polished people.

Moreover at the fame time that public transactions are more fully, accurately, and justly stated, and the memory of individuals vindicated, the patient labour of investigation is frequently relieved by picturesque images of ancient life; and the Antiquary forgets the painfulness of minute enquiry in the pleasure of obferving the features of the times more strongly and characteristically marked in these partial and peculiar reprefentations, than in the formal exhibitions of general story.

There is another use which ancient records and manufcripts often have in common with Coins and Tomb Architecture. They represent in their marginal illuminations the fashion of ancient armour and building, and other curious

particulars

it is connected in its feveral parts by the general union and mutual comparison of which every particular branch derives additional luftre and utility.

d

An accurate knowledge of the primitive manners and customs of a people tends much to illustrate the earlier periods of their language: While the investigation and analyfis of Language conduces to point out the genius of a people. But the first principles of a language can be thoroughly ascertained only from a diligent ftudy of the most ancient marbles and and coins. Thus also the ancient manners of a people are illustrated by their laws and their laws reciprocally by their early monuments. Coins and Marbles frequently throw great light on Poetry:

particulars characteristic of different Ages. They often preferve portraits of remarkable perfons: and fpecimens of ancient apparel; and fhew, what, with the increase of national wealth, was the progress of refinement in Drefs. See ADDISON on Ancient Medals: WARTON's Obfervations on Spenfer, Vol. II. p. 243. and ARCHEOLOGIA, Vol. II.

Taylor's Elements, p. 553, 557.

as

as Poetry will fometimes reflect a fimilar light on the obfcurities of a Coin. Coins likewife as well as feals and medals, befides exhibiting specimens of their peculiar art, mark out the regular progress of Architecture: the different stages of which are seen alfo in the various ftructure of fepulchral monuments. But while they severally contribute to affift each other, all unite in the illuftration and embellishment of History, Poetry, and Philosophy.

To this union of the several branches in the Study of Antiquities perhaps is owing the fuccefs with which it is conducted in the prefent Age. There have been those, who appear to have contented themselves with the laborious part of this Study. They adored the precious ruft which obfcured their coins, and neglected the valuable information, which it concealed. Like thofe who form their opinions of ancient Authors from the judgements of others. From whom they

• Addison on Medals, p. 23. Concerning the Architectural ornaments of ancient feals, fee alfo Warton on Spenfer, Vol. II. p. 194.

E

admire

terity of Thucydides, the fublime poetry of Plato and thus defcant with warmth on the characters of their ftile from Critics, many of whom understood not the language they were criticising. And here they ftop fhort to contemplate those beauties at a diftance. They admire the exquifite decorations that adorn the fhrine, but have too much reverence for the divinity inclosed to withdraw the veil,

Thofe lovers of Antiquity therefore confined themselves to a neceffary, but elementary part of the Study, to which the collection and arrangement of their curiofities was only an introduction. Thus fixing themfelves to one part of the Antiquarian purfuits, by a confequence infeparable from too strict an attachment to any fingle Art or Science', their views in learning became partial and narrow, and their fentiments often bigotted and illiberal.

Harrifes Philofophical Arrangements, p. 34, 35. and 462, 463.

To their labours however and induftrious curiofity the prefent Age has great obliga-: tions, for facilitating the acquifition of those materials, which are now converted to their proper use. The ftudy of Antiquities once far removed from all the arts of elegance, is now become an attendant on the Muses, an handmaid to Hiftory, to Poetry, and Philofophy. From this united influence many are the advantages which have been derived to general knowledge. Particularly much of that obfcurity, which overfpreads the first periods in the history of every nation, has already been happily removed from our own by the diligence and fagacity of able Antiquaries. And what indeed may we not expect further from an Age in which every part of fcience is advancing to perfection: in which History has attained a degree of excellence unknown to any former period of English literature; and Poetry and Philosophy have gained new honours: and lastly, in whose character that has fo confpicuous a