Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-03-21
CnEECF's ANCIENT GLORIEs.
Rich ard Important Discoveries i'm
tire Valuable Collection.

Rich ard Important Discoveries in
the Valuable Collection.
A correspondent thus writes to the
London Times: have received from
my friend at Athens letter which, as
he remarks, is Of more peaceful char
acter than his previous ones, for it re-
lates to fresh discoveries in the Acropo-
lis. Greece, even amid its most war
like enterprises, is still the ancient
Greece, with all its memories and re-
mains. Europe should take account Of
this, and, if possible, strive to satisfy
some Of the aspirations Of a nation
which has always the remembrance Of
its glorious past. My correspondent
writes:
81 am glad to think that this letter
is of a more peaceful nature than my
former ones. | am anxious to give you
detailed information of fresh discoveries
at the Acropolis. so inexhaustible in
artistic treasures. Between the Erech.
theum ard the spot where the bronze
statue OF Athena stood there was a
considerable extent Of ground full Of
ruined stone and marble. People never
knew exactly what monument occupied
this site. Four years ago the French
School of Archaeology at Athens un-
dertook excavations, but after dis
covering q regularly built marble wall
they went on further. The Archeolo
gical Society recently resolved on
continuing the work, rather with view
of making a clearance than in the ex-
pectation of artistic discoveries, for this
spot had always been looked upon as
barren and unworthy Of attention. This
prejudice has now been dispelled. Last
week a whole collection of statues Of
the pre-Phidian school was discovered,
and in three hours complete series Of
valuable monuments of antique art was
brought to light. Subsequent excava-
tons have produced other treasures and
there is reason to hope that with the
complete clearance of the rock there
will be further finds.
LET me briefly describe the treasures
already deposited in the Acropolis Mu-
scum, where they are attracting a
throng Of visitors. The three-hours'
work brought to light the folio wing OBJ
jects:
81. Six statues of Parian marble,
with heads, but without feet. The eye
of one of these colossal statues is Of
glass, which settles a much-disputed
point of ancient sculpture. The statues
are all of the pre-Phidian school and
remind one of the archaic statue Of
Artemis in the Naples Museum, which
was hitherto unique. The trunks are
covered with a tunic extending to the
feet, over which tunic is the traditional
cloak. The folds of the garments
bear the stamp of archaic art, al
though some show more studied dis
play, more attention and accuracy,
and are not so stiff as usual. On
the head is a marble crown with bronze
spikes representing rays like those Of
the sun. The meander Of pattern
round the crown is painted. The
fringe of the tunic and cloak is adorned
with parallel painted lines, amid which
are also painted small crosses and other
ornaments resembling those Of antique
vases. The colors have mostly pre-
served their primitive lustre. The
statues, in all Of which the lower ex.
tremities are wanting, are about four
feet high, and with the feet they must
have been seven feet high. The hands
were discovered next day, aud are
deliberately worked and ornamented
with marble bracelets.
80. Three statues without heads
one that Of a man Of almost the same
dimensions and Of the same period.
80. A torso Of q woman, probably
Victory. This is deliberately sculp.
tured, and although belonging to the
same school DIVORCES from it some what,
the head being turned to the right and
the body presenting . graceful move
ment which is usual in antique statues
Of Victory. The folds are very care
fully executed. and this statue may be
regarded as midway between the an
tiqus school and the new art introduced
by Phidias. 1t shows an approach to-
wards the finest conceptions Of the
Grand period. 1t also bears traces OF
painting.
"a. A statue very similar to the
archaic one Of Hero, found ct Samos
and exhibited ct the Paris Louvre.