General Literature. 205 



on this point with the ancient architects : this protuberance 

 is so delicate, that it must be ascertained by measurement ; the 

 eye alone cannot perceive it: the fact had escaped Stuart, and 

 our other most accurate observers." 



From this relation it might be too readily concluded that 

 Mr. Cockerell made the discovery therein mentioned, whereas 

 theTact is otherwise. It was myself who first noticed this pecu- 

 liarity, during an extensive tour through the Morea, with the 

 Messrs. Spencer Stanhopes, in the year 1814, when, having 

 formed my opinion, by a careful examination of the magnifi- 

 cent remains of the ancient structures at Athens*, I commu- 

 nicated the results to Messrs. Cockerell, Fauvel, Baron Haller, 

 Lusieri, and Tupper ; the two former gentlemen, however, con- 

 stantly opposed my ideas upon the subject. It was, indeed, 

 my actual intention to have ascertained the nature and extent 

 of the entasis of the columns of all the temples and other an- 

 cient buildings at Athens ; various unforeseen circumstances, 

 however, deferred its execution, which was finally rendered 

 impracticable by a severe illness, that obliged me to take a very 

 precipitate departure from the Athenian territory, after a resir 

 dence of about five months. It was thus arranged, that Baron 

 Haller and Mr. Cockerell should themselves measure, and make 

 the necessary experiments upon the columns of the Parthenon, 

 the Temple of Theseus, ^-c, and transmit the results to Mr. 

 Stanhope and myself. 



We both felt so desirous respecting this inquiry that, on our 

 arrival at Naples, we wrote to Mr. Cockerell, reminding him 

 of the obligation he had taken upon himself ; it was, however, 

 more than a year afterwards that I received, through Mr. It. 

 Smirke, an admeasurement of the columns of the Parthenon, 

 confirming my opinions in every particular. I shall also here 

 beg to observe, that my remarks respecting the entasis of the 

 Greek columns was noticed in a report read by Mons. Barbie 

 du Boccage to the Institute, several months prior to my receiv- 

 ing Mr. Cockerell's communication. 



I shall now take the liberty to inquire of the Rev. Thomas 



* ?ee note to preface of n)y work on the Antiquities of Pola, 



