and Moderns , with refpetl to the Arts. 407 
Nature heiTclf. In this manner, by contem¬ 
plating grand and exquifite forms of beauty, 
the operations of the hand are directed by the 
image in the mind: but how far to proceed, 
and when to flop, muft be left to the judgment 
of the artid. 
That the ancients bear the pajm from the 
moderns in fculpture, will not be conteded: 
their religion fandtified and encouraged that 
branch of fcience. Gods, Demigods, and He¬ 
roes, all confpired to bring it into the higheft 
repute : and their images were often depofited in 
buildings of the molt exquifite tafte, to com¬ 
memorate particular occurrences. The rage 
for highly ornamented edifices, perhaps never 
rofe to a greater height, than amongft the 
Romans. 1 hefe fons of fortune acquired fo 
much wealth, and, by plundering didant climes, 
had fo collected the riches of whole kingdoms 
into one city, that there was no way left to 
difiipate fuch immenfe fums, but by engaging 
in the mod expenfive works of arr. Each 
ambitious conqueror, defirous to tranfmit his 
own adlions, and thofe of his ancedors to 
poderity, called in to his aid the fculptor, 
and the architect, whofe utmod lkill was 
exerted to blazon their achievements in the 
folidity of done and marble. 
This fhews, in fome meafure, why Sculpture 
outdripped her fider Art; for the fpecimens of 
- d 4 ancient 
