A Report upon the Herculaneum Manuscripts

treasures—inestimable treasures—of ancient literature, like these manuscripts of Herculaneum, although composed in the two classical languages, could not engage a single thought, much less any regard or attention whatsoever. Besides, the crisis itself, and particularly the ruinous expenses of a war with the common enemy, rendered it nearly impracticable for the embarrassed Sovereign of the Two Sicilies, even if he had been so disposed, to promote the attainment of literary objects by dedicating to them any part of his concern or of his revenue.

You, most illustrious SIR, are the only Royal personage at the present era of those high and disinterested sentiments who, renouncing every personal view and every selfish regard, excites a philanthropic zeal and a humane ambition to form and advance any great design that may tend to some laudable and beneficial end. To yourself