Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-08-04

character. Thomas w. Ludlow, in the
August Century, has an able paper upon
his topic, in which he congratulates
Americans upon the interest that is being
taken in the study in America. He treats
as purely intellectual sci
ance, without direct influence upon in
crease of material prosperity But in
this he is in error. We can conceive Of no
looking back from which there is not de-
riyable something Of direct value for pres
ent prosperity and of indirect use for the
future We can conceive of ne wisely
directed research into or study of what ale
termed antiquities that does not, properly
applied contribute to the civilization,
prosperity and progress Of the present.
The eery fact that the interest in arche-
ology is rapidly increasing in America
proves this, because the American public
Is eminently practical, and 10 schemes Of
education are tolerated that a not at least
thought to have & directly beneficial in
iluence upon the progress ei the country
There are now number ef local societies
in the United States, all having an inia-
mate or correspondent relation TO the Ar
theological Institute Of America Mr..
Ludlow points out that this institute has
brought to the Bosten Museum of Fine
Arts the first Hellenic sculptures of capital
Importance that have crossed the Atlantic
and these have now taken their place be
side the admirably selected collection Of
casts which render that museum one o.
the best Schools in the world to-day for the
study Of classic sculpture" The same in.
stitute has, he adds, rendered still greater
service to American learning in becom
ing the parent of the school at Athen,
supported by league of colleges formed
in the common interest Of knowledge.
! The growing appreciation of antiquities il
proved by the popular favor with which
archaeological lectures are received, ant
| by the general prosperity OF the museum
in the United States, facts to which Mr.
Ludlow'd7aws especial attention. So ia
as local work is concerned there is no rea
son why it should not be largely successful
Fortunately the study of antiquity may b
pursued anywhere. The museum section il
Sacramento will find, if it wishes, no end II
the field Of its labors. 1t may be sug
gested, by the way, that upon the Pacif
shores and in California there opens up t.
ii an area for local study that is almos
boundless. Since antiquarian research be
gins with 4 not remote yesterday, and ex
tends back to the dawn of time, and sine
the application of its results is to this hou
and tomorrow, it will be seen that as al
aid to liberal information, as contribute
to the sum of knowledge, as an assistant t,
the study Of civilization, as means 0
comparing men and their works in all ages
land as an instrument for building up
Imuseum here, those who really mean t
ladhere to the work begun in this city By
the archaeological section of the Museum
association, can make it of exceedin.
lyaiue and usefulness The citizens com
Iposing it have the satisfaction of knowing
THAT their location and the numerical pro
tportions Of this community need in NJ
sNyise limit their field of operations or thei
Zeal in the study.