On the thorough study of the fine Collection which had been gathered from so many sources—here indicated by but a scanty sample—and on that of other choice Collections both at home and abroad, Mr. KNIGHT based the most elaborate—perhaps the most valuable—work of his life, next to his Museum itself. The _Inquiry into the Symbolism of Greek Art and Mythology_ bears, indeed, too many traces of the narrowness of the author’s range of thought, whenever he leaves the purely artistic criticism of which he was, despite his limitations, a master, in order to dissertate on the interdependence or on the ‘priestcraft’ of the religions of the world. But his genuine lore cannot be concealed by his flimsy philosophy. The student will gain from the _Inquiry_ real knowledge about ancient art. He will find, indeed, not a few statements which the author himself would be the first to modify in the light of the new information of the last fifty years. But he will also find much which, in its time, proved to be suggestive and fruitful to other minds, and which prepared the way for wider and deeper studies. It may do so yet. The book is one which the student of archæology cannot afford to overlook. Whilst he may well afford a passing smile at the philosophic insight which prompted our author’s eulogies (1) upon the ‘liberal and humane spirit which still prevails among those nations whose religion is founded upon the principle of emanations;’ (2) upon the wisdom of the ‘Siamese, who shun disputes, and believe that almost all religions are good;’ [Sidenote: _Inquiry_, &c., p. 19.] (3) on the supreme fitness of the idolatries of India ‘to call forth the ideal perfections of art, by expanding and exalting the imagination of the artist;’ or (4) upon the exceptional and pre-eminent capacity of the Hindoos to become ‘the most virtuous and happy of the human race,’ but for that one solitary misfortune which cursed them with a priesthood.[65] [Sidenote: THE DISSERTATION ON ANCIENT SCULPTURE.] The _Inquiry into Symbolism_ was, at first, printed only for private circulation, in 1818. It was afterwards reprinted in the _Classical Journal_, with some corrections by the author. It was again reprinted, after his death, as an appendix to the second volume of the _Specimens of Ancient Sculpture_.