Excerpt from Descriptive Catalogue of a Cabinet of Roman Family Coins Belonging to His Grace the Duke of Northumberland, K. G

IN the formal manufacture of a book, we are taught that its body should be preceded by a Preface and an Introduction; the one treating of the design and proceedings of the author, the other to prepare the reader's mind for the matter given in the work. Now, in a discursive Catalogue like the present, we are at liberty to cast the schoolman's dogmata to the winds, and, as in the case of the poor prisoner's dinner and supper, serve up both preface and introduction together. Indeed, although a few untrammelled words by way of prefatory dis course may be even necessary, we feel that a set essay. On the utility of medallic studies would here be out of place: and, while acknowledging the propriety of the received rule, we feel pretty sure that our numismatic readers will forgive an occasional ramble beyond the bounds.

It is well-known that his Grace Algernon, Duke of Northumberland, has, since the general peace of 1815 released him from his professional naval duties, been a zealous and inquiring traveller; but, probably, it is not so generally understood that he has matured a taste in the higher departments of archaeology, which was eminently exerted during those travels; as witness the splendid Egyptian and other antiquities which he collected with a view to the useful elucidation of History, Chronology, and Geography. Nor has he neglected the triter, and perhaps secondary, department in the study of those objects which tend to bring us acquainted with the manners and means of past ages; for to form an accurate opinion of the story of an ancient people, and trace their steps towards power and civilization, we must occasionally descend from Clio's stilts, and, so to say, look at their teeth.

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