SECT. VIL 



Directions for taking off Impressions or Casts 

 from Medals and Coins. 



L. w-Et csetea pene gemelU. _ 



HORAT. Ep. X. 



CHIEFLY owing to the coft required for pur- 

 chafing a cabinet of medals, it has happened 

 that the ftudv of them has hitherto been confined, 

 comparatively, to a few individuals. Another 

 principal impediment to the cultivation of an ac- 

 quaintance with them, has arifen from the dim. 

 cult* of undemanding the infcriptions, for want 

 of a fufficient knowledge of languages ; on which 

 account, in particular, this ftudy has been con- 

 demned by the illiterate as barren and ulelds; 

 but fuch as are acquainted with the advantages 

 which have already refulted from thofe nummi 

 memorises, cannot Dentate a mp^ejit t^fl W 

 promoting a more general purfuit of tbe fubjecl^ 

 While Coloffian ftatues, and the hardeft marbles* 

 with their deepefl infcriptions, are deftroyed by 

 accidents, or by time, and paintings finiflied with 

 the higheft colours quickly fade, a medal fhall 

 furvive innumerable accidents, and difcloie nii- 

 torical fads a thoufand years after ftatues are 



* Though the ftudy of medals does not properly belong to 

 natural hiltory, this ftiort account of taking impreffions from 

 them, may prove acceptable to fome travellers. ^ 



crumbled 



