U2 



pious mothers hang on the breasts of their infants, at the present day, 

 in this country. The medal in my possession lias a small projection 

 over the apex of the head, which appears to have been the base of 

 an eye or small ring. This ring was evidently intended for tiie pur- 

 pose of hanging it about the neck ; and, when at length it was worn 

 out by the weight of the pendant, a place for suspension was formed 

 by notchhig the base. This was the use assigned to it by the Jew 

 from whom it was purchased, and which induced my brother to label 

 it, "Hebrew Talisman.'* 



The value of those medals has also been a subject of much con- 

 troversy ; some holding tlieui in the most extravagant estimation, 

 and others asserting, that they should be rejected altogether from a 

 cabinet of genuine antiques. Both these opinions are erroneous. 

 There is no certain evidence, that they have a claim to the high 

 antiquity and interesting origin, which some assign to them ; but it is 

 nevertheless certain, that they have a respectable claim on the atten- 

 tion of the curious. When Literature and the Sciences began to 

 dawn in Europe, after the darkness of the middle ages, and the minds 

 of inquisitive men were first directed to search for the remains of 

 ancient art, tliese medals were discovered. They were seen at Rome 

 by Theseus Ambrosius, and described, as a great curiosity in the 

 pontificate of Julius II, the immediate predecessor of Leo X, 

 the reviver of learning in Europe.-f This proves, that they 



• Procopius asserts, that the letter, &c., sent to Abgarus by our Saviour, was used by the 

 Edessencs, for this purpose : " in vicem ^v?.xx.t^:x, sive amuleti, in postes urbis suEe posuisse." 

 Fabric. Cod. Apoc. Note vi. p. 218. 



f It is remarkable, that muny of ihe works of ancient art, wbitli liave been handed down to 

 posterity as just objects of admiralion, were discovered also about this period. The Venus de 

 Medici, the Apollo Belvedere, the Laocoon, and the Torso, were bioufjht to light either in the 

 age of Julius II, or immediately after. Without meaning to imply any comparison between 

 these splendid remains and the medal, it may be asserted, that this coincidence in the time of 

 the discovery is in tuvourofthe anti.juity and value of the latter. Julius died in 1513. 



