the Earl of Elgin’s Collection of Marbles, &c. 281 
and observation, when he mentions the two statues in question; 
which, it is to be observed, still remain (without their heads) 
upon the pediment of the entrance, and have not been removed 
by Lord Elgin. 
An exact copy of these drawings, by the Marquis de Nointel’s 
painter, is given in M. Barry’s works; which are rendered more 
valuable on account of the destruction of a cousiderable part of 
the temple in the Turkish war by the falling of a Venetian bomb, 
within a short time after the year in which they were made; 
which, however, must have been prior to the date of 1683, 
affixed to the plate in Barry’s Works (2d vol. p. 163. London, 
1809.) 
Some notes of Mr. Fauvel, a painter and antiquarian, who 
moulded and took casts from the greatest part of the sculptures. 
and remained fifteen years at Athens, are given with the tracings 
of these drawings ; in which it is said, with regard to these pedi- 
ments, “ these figures were adorned with bronze, at least if we . 
may judge by the head of Sabina, which is one of the two that 
remain ; and which, having fallen, and being much mutilated, 
was brought to Mr. Fauvel. The traces are visible of the little 
cramps which probably fixed the crown to the head. The head 
of the emperior Hadrian still exists. Probably this group has 
been inserted to do honour to that emperor, for it is of a work- 
manship different from the rest of this sculpture.” 
Your committee cannot dismiss this interesting subject, with- 
out subinitting to the attentive reflection of the house, how 
highly the cultivation of the fine arts has contributed to the re- 
putation, character, and dignity of every government by which 
they have been encouraged, and how intimately they are con- 
nected with the advancement of every thing valuable in science, 
literature, aud philosophy. In contemplating the imgortance 
and splendor to which so small a republic as Athens rose, by the 
genius and energy of her citizens, exerted in the path of such 
studies, it is impossible to overlook how transient the memory 
and fame of extended empires and of mighty conquerors are, 
in comparison of those who have rendered inconsiderable states 
eminent, and immortalized their own names by these pursuits. 
But if it be true, as we learn from history and experience, that 
free governments afford a soil most suitable to the production of 
native talent, to the maturing of the powers of the human mind, 
and to the growth of every species of excellence, by opening to 
merit the prospect of reward and distinction, no country can be 
better adapted than our own to afford an honourable asylum to 
these monuments of the school of Phidias, and of the admini- 
stration of Pericles; where, secure from further injury and de- 
‘ gradation, 
