CYPRUS, 215 
iiian, we have authority for the existence of that style of ar¬ 
chitecture, in a high degree of perfection, so long ago as the 
middle of the sixth century, six hundred and forty years before 
the conquest of Cyprus by Richard the First; and certainly' 
long anterior to the introduction of any specimen of the ar¬ 
chitecture called Gothic in Great Britian. Other instances 
of still higher antiquity exist in Egypt and Palestine. 
Our success in collecting gems was so great, that the number 
of our acquisitions in Nicotia exceeded the total of what we 
had been able to procure since our departure from Constanti¬ 
nople. We found also silver medals of Antoninus Pius, Severn^ 
Faustina, and of the Ptolemies. The bronze were all of late 
date, and almost all after the time of Constantine. We also 
made diligent inquiry concerning the yeny madetrt crystal. 
Some detached and very ordinary specimens of crystallized 
quartz were shown to us, by the name of Baffa stones ; but the 
inhabitants were unable to polish even these. All the stones 
found in the island, capable of being polished, are sent to Grand 
Cairo for this purpose. This fact, while it serves to show the 
wretched state of the arts in Cyprus, also conveys a proof of their 
flourishing state in the present capital of Egypt, beyond the 
notions usually entertained of that remote city. Among our in¬ 
taglios were numerous representations and symbols of Isis, Ceres, 
and Venus: a very beautiful gem representing Mercury leaning 
upon a sepulchral stile ;* of Anubis, kneeling with the dove 
upon his left hand ;f and one of very diminutive form, but of 
exquisite beauty, meriting a more particular description : it is 
a highly transparent garnet. The subject engraven represents 
a colossal statue, whose two arms extended touch the extremity 
of the stone. Before this figure is seen a person kneeling, in 
the act of worshipping the idol. This corresponds so accu¬ 
rately with the descriptions given of the statue of Jupiter Se- 
rapis at Alexandria, whose two hands touched the sides of the 
temple, that it is probable the gem was intended to preserve a 
* The learned antiquary will perceive the classical accuracy observed by the an¬ 
cients in such representations. The subjects displayed upon their pictured vases, 
sculptured marbles, medals, and mentis, were not the result of any idle fancy or mo¬ 
mentary caprice. Copious as the sources were whence all their varied imagery was 
derived, its exhibition was nevertheless circumscribed by canons. Mercury is pour- 
tray ed reclining upon a stele ; thereby typifying his office of conducting departed 
souls. 
t “ Ter columbam vero aerem intelligit Horapollo, lib. 1 rationed ibidem dat quod 
adeo sincere et puroe nature sit, ut 6. nullo contagioso aere quemadmodum csetera 
imimulia, isffici possit.” Rirchtr OSdip , JEgypt. tom. iii. p. 291. 
V Alba Pals&stisro ftaneta Colutnba Syro.” 
Tibullus, Lib. i. El €. vers, lb 
