A view of the Exhibition of the Works of Ancient and Mediaeval Art has
convinced us that fame had done no more than justice to its merits and
interest. We dare not attempt to enumerate one tithe of the gems in
Glass, Enamel, Metalwork, Carving in Wood and Ivory, Porcelain, &c.,
now gathered together in the Adelphi to justify the enthusiasm of the
antiquary, and to show, in the words of Marlowe,
"Oh! what a world of profit and delight,
Of power, of honour, of omnipotence,
Is promis'd to the studious artizan?"
and how small, after all, is our boasted advance. We must therefore
be content with recommending our readers to visit, again and again,
this matchless collection. Mr. Hailstone, the originator of the
exhibition, must be highly gratified at the manner in which, thanks
to the liberality of the owners, and the zeal and good taste of the
committee, his idea has been carried out. If, too, at this time, when
there is so much unemployed labour among us, this exhibition should
have the {343} effect of creating a demand for articles which can be
produced by the hand and mind of a skilful workman only, and not by
machinery, however costly and elaborate, an enormous benefit, beyond
that originally contemplated, must result from the exhibition--namely,
that of supplying fresh fields for the labour and ingenuity of our
workmen.
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