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XXXIX. Memorandum on ilic Subject of the Earl of 

 Elgin's Pursuits in Greece*. 



MEMORANDUM, Scc. 



J.^f the year 1799, vvhen lord Elgin was appointed liis-ina- 

 jesty's ambassador extraordinary lo the Oiloman Porte, he 

 happened to he in habits of frequent intercourse with Mr. 

 Harrison, an architect of great eminence in the west of 

 England, who had there given various very splendid proofs 

 of his professional talents, especially in a public building of 

 Grecian architecture at Chester. Mr. Harrison had besides 

 studied niany years, and to great purpose, at Rome. Lord 

 Elgin consulted him, therefore, on the benefits that might 

 possihlv be derived to the arts in this country, in case an 

 opportunity could be found for studying minutely the archi- 

 fctture and sculpture of ancient Greece; and his opinion 

 very decidedly was, that although we might possess exact 

 measurements of the buildings at Athens, yet a young artist 

 could never form to himself an adequate conception of their 

 minute details, combinations, and general efl'ect, without 

 liavinii, before him si)me sucli sensible representation of them 

 as n)iiiht be conveyed by casts. This advice, which laid the 

 groundwork of lord Elgin's pursuits in Greece, led to the 

 further consideration, thai, since any knowledge which was 

 possessed of these buildings had been obtained under the pe- 

 culiar disadvantages which the prejudices and jealousies of 

 the Turks had tv.cT thrown "in the way of such attempts, 

 any favourable circumstances which lord Elgin's embassy 

 might ofier should be improved fundamentally; and not 

 only modellers, but architects and draftsmen, might be 

 employed, to rescue from oblivion, with the most accurate 

 detail, vyhatevcr specimens of architecture and sculpture in 

 Greece had still escaped the ravages of time, and the bar- 

 barism of conquerors. 



On this suggestion, lord Elgin proposed to his majesty's 

 government, that they should send out English artists of 

 known eminence, capable of collecting this information in 

 the most perfect manner; but the prospect appeared of too 

 doubtful an issue for ministers to engage in the expense at- 

 tending it. Lord Elgin then endeavoured to engage sonie of 

 these artists at his own charge ; but the value of their time 

 was far beyond his means. When, however, he reached 

 Sicily, on ihe recommendation of sir William Plamilton, 

 he was so fortunate as to prevail on don Tita Lusieri, one 



* London, printed for William Miller^ Albemarle Street. 



of 



