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Brief Observations on the State of the Arts in Italy, «'" " 

 short Account of Cameo-cutting ', Mosaic work, Pietra ± 

 and also of some of the Domestic Arts and Mechanical Jon- 

 trivances of the Italians. By Charles H. Wilson, Esq. 

 Architect, Edinburgh, A.R.S.A., and M. S. A.* Commu- 

 nicated by the Society of Arts for Scotland. + 



I feel that I ought to apologise to the Society for bringing 

 before it a paper of this nature, which contains no description 

 of any new art or discovery, but which may be described as 

 being little more than a catalogue of arts and practices, most 

 of which are of great antiquity. I hope that such a paper may 

 be deemed admissible. As far as my individual opinion goes, 

 1 would say that it would be very desirable if several papers 

 were read every session containing as distinct accounts as 

 could be obtained of the state of the arts and sciences, with 

 reviews of the progress made in them in different Continental 

 countries every year. That such papers would be useful in 

 various points of view appears to me sufficiently obvious ; those 

 who have neither leisure nor opportunity to inquire for them- 

 selves would by this means obtain a great deal of valuable and 

 interesting information ; our efforts to excel in the arts and 

 sciences would be stimulated ; and, above all, I think that, 

 whilst our national vanity would be advantageously chastened, 

 feelings of respect and esteem, founded on a knowledge and 

 just appreciation of the merits of other nations, would beyond 

 all other influences lead to international amity. Feelings like 

 these have already been happily nourished by the amicable in- 

 tercourse of literati of different nations : the course which I ad- 

 vocate would tend to the further diffusion of such sentiments 

 amongst all classes. 



I cannot, without presumption, imagine for a moment that 

 the paper which I now bring before you can deserve to be con- 



* Read before the Society of Arts for Scotland, 23d November 1840. 



t Having been requested by the Society of Arts to publish this paper on 

 a popular topic, we give it a place, although it is not strictly connected with 

 the subjects usually discussed in this Journal. — Editor. 



