The History of Ancient America, Anterior to the Time of Columbus: Proving the Identity of the Aborigines with the Tyrians and Israelites; and the Introduction of Christianity into the Western Hemisphere By The Apostle St. ThomasJones, George
History
The History of Ancient America, Anterior to the Time of Columbus: Proving the Identity of the Aborigines with the Tyrians and Israelites; and the Introduction of Christianity into the Western Hemisphere By The Apostle St. Thomas
Jones, George
America -- Antiquities; America -- Discovery and exploration -- Phoenician; Indians -- Origin
Sculpture is a title not only applicable to statuary, but to every
kind of architectural stone-ornament, and in every stage towards its
completion--from the rough-quarried block to the polished marbles of
the frieze and pediment: this being admitted, how vast and almost
unlimited is the field for historic contemplation! The Antiquary when
he removes the trodden earth from the mouldering tomb to trace the
deeds of heroes: or from an antique Gem or Medal, raises to light from
beneath the dark dust of ages, the bold outline of an imperial head:
or, when within the lava-coloured city, a hidden statue from beneath
the veil of centuries bursts upon his bewildered sight, he still
remembers that Sculpture was the creative power. The traveller who
pauses in silent wonder as he views the Egyptian Pyramids (blocks of
stone raised to perpetuate a nameless king), turns with redoubled
pleasure to contemplate the sculptured marble of Tentyra--in the sight
of whose shrines the followers of Napoleon felt amply repaid "for the
dangers they had passed." Although the Assyrian Kings have for ages
been covered with the sands of their desert, and the wandering Arab
sleeps unmolested in the shade of Palmyra's columns, unconscious of
his mighty mansion, yet her temples and porticoes speak loudly for the
living truth of historic marble.
Greece!--the wonder of the classic age,--the key-stone in the arch of
intellect,--owes her glory to Marathon and Salamis, but her living
name breathes from the Sculpture of the Acropolis. The proportion
given by Ictinus to the body of the Parthenon is fast falling to
decay, while the sculptured mantle of Phidias which adorns it adds
regality to splendour, and every stone that falls produces but another
graceful fold to the gorgeous drapery! Sculpture still preserves
Syracuse amid the wreck of time, as when Marcellus wept tears of joy
at beholding his mighty conquest: it still points out Carthage, the
fatherland of Hannibal, as when Marius upon a prostrate column mourned
her desolation. Mysterious Pæstum has no other monument, for her deeds
have perished with her records. From Istria to Dalmatia may be traced
the historic progress of the art,--the gate of the Sergii, Theatre of
Pola, and the Palace of Dioclesian, whose columned wall is mirrored in
the Adriatic, all bear convincing testimony. And for ancient Rome!--it
is her living history! The Statorian columns of the Forum, lifting
high their leafy brows, proclaim the spot where Romulus checked the
bold advance of the Sabine Tatius: the solitary shaft of Corinthian
form and grace, gives fame to Phocas: the Ionic columns of Concordia's
Temple, proudly point the place where Cicero impeached the
blood-stained Catiline; while the triumvirate columns of the
Tonans-Jupiter preserve the imperial name that witnessed THE
REDEEMER'S Birth! The arch of Titus (where the Composite first shone
forth) heralds the Conquest of Jerusalem,--its sculpture, a Jewish
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