On the Present Prospects of Archæolgy at Athens

According to an image as old as Pindar, the Acropolis of Athens was, as it were, the boss of a shield aronnd which revolved four concentric circles, Athens, Attica, Greece, the World. 2 The reason of this figure is of deep suggestion.Of all cities in the world Athens was preeminent in philosophy, in literature, in art, and in the knowledge of a free and enlightened scheme of government ; while the Acropolis, which, as a vast museum of sculpture and architecture, was the flower of Grecian culture, was to Athens, what Athens was to the world.No wonder then if in all ages the minds and hearts of men have turned for inspiration to this magic scene ; and if modern nations have instinctively wished to imitate the ancient Eomans, amongst whom, as they advanced in civilization, the opinion came to prevail that their education was incomplete without the study of Greek and a residence in Athens, 3 -that land, described by Euripides of old, as a land sacred and unconquered, nurturing sons " whose food is most glorious wisdom, and who ever walk delicately through the brightest air." 4 It may be permitted then to a member of the Institute 1 Read at Derby, at the Meeting of the Institute, July 31st, 1885. 2 v. Leake's Topography of Athens, I, p. 308. 3 lb. 4Έρεχθέί'δαι ru παλαιό ν όλβιοι κα 1 θεων παίδες μακάρων, ίερας χώρας απορθήτου τ αποφςρβόμενοι κΧεινοτάταν σοφίαν, αεί δια λαμπροτάτου βαίνοντες αβρως αιθέρος Euripides, Medea, 824-8

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