The Scope and Charm of Antiquarian Study

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G. Redway, 1883 - Archaeology - 34 pages

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Page 33 - And shadows forth its glory. There is given Unto the things of earth, which Time hath bent, A spirit's feeling, and where he hath leant His hand, but broke his scythe, there is a power And magic in the ruined battlement, For which the palace of the present hour Must yield its pomp, and wait till ages are its dower.
Page 32 - Or doffed thine own to let Queen Dido pass; Or held, by Solomon's own invitation, A torch at the great temple's dedication. I need not ask thee if that hand, when...
Page 29 - The hallowed seat with listening ear ; And gentle words that mother would give, To fit me to die and teach me to live. She told me shame would never betide, With truth for my creed...
Page 29 - I've treasured it long as a sainted prize ; I've bedewed it with tears, and embalmed it with sighs ; 'Tis bound by a thousand bands to my heart, Not a tie will break, not a link will start. Would you learn the s)>ell? — a mother sat there, And a sacred thing is that old arm-chair.
Page 17 - ... objects themselves, forms the groundwork of the science. It is purely the product of observation, and there neither is, nor can be, anything of a speculative or hypothetical nature included in it. Upon this groundwork of exact knowledge there may be raised a superstructure of conclusions as to the relations of these objects to ancient conditions and customs of human life, which they more or less clearly disclose ; and in this, its widest scope...
Page 30 - ... that the extent of this wide range of study has not disheartened any readers, imbued with the spirit of antiquity, from entering upon it, but rather that they will have received a new and lasting impulse to make their mark in some particular branch. No one can be proficient in all departments of antiquarian science. Few have time or money at command to make original research in our national archives, or have privileged access to the muniments of noble and gentle families of distinction. All,...
Page 19 - ... recumbent cross-legged knights represented in suits of chain-armour with sword at side, ecclesiastical dignitaries robed in full canonicals, with closed and upraised hands as in the act of devotion, have always been a favourite study of the reverential antiquary, as affording examples of medieval art and religious expression. ' ' Brave knight ! thy life may teach us more Than philosophic sages, And from the misty days of yore Echo to future ages. A moral plain may yet remain, Though we forget...
Page 5 - What is the use of bothering your head about the past ? What profit will you gain thereby ? " And such questions are usually followed by the remark, "What concerns us is certainly the present, and possibly the future." To the former part of these expressions of a purely utilitarian character, a short but forcible answer may be given. The present is founded on the past, and is inseparably connected with it ; neither can it be properly understood or fully appreciated, and certainly no idea of the progress...

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