ELGIN MARBLES. Among the choieeSt treasures of the British Museuni are the El gin Marbles, a collection of 'indent sculptures, chiefly from the Acropolis of Athens, whence they were obtained by the Earl of Elgin (who had been the English ambassador to Turkey) between the years 1801 and 1812: This col lection was mirchaSed in pursuance of en act of the legistature, dated July 1st, 1816, for the sum of 35,0001., and is new deposited in the British Museum, in a room built for its recep tion.
The Parthenon, or Temple of MinerVa, at Athens, whence the more important of these sculptures were obtained, was built during the administration of Pericles, alma the Year n.e. 448. It was constructed entirely of *bite marble from Mount Pentelicus ; Callicrates and Ictinus were the architects : and the sculptures were produced partly by the hand and partly under the direction of Phidias. Two models of the Parthenon have been Pla ced ih the Elgin Saloon at the British Museuin, one of Which represents the building in its ruined state, and the other restored to its per fect state; with the sculptures 'occupying their proper places.
The sculptures of the Parthenon in the El gin collection Contain the Metopes, most of Which represent the combats of the Centanks and Lapithre; a portion of the Frieie of the cella, which represents the Panathenaic pro cession ; and the Statues, or parts of thein, from the tympana of the pediments: The possession of the Elgin collection has 'established a national school of sculpture in our country, founded 'on the noblest models which human art has ever produced. A tri bute of thanks is 'due to the nobleman to whose exertions the nation is indebted for it. If Lord Elgin had not removed them the greater partwould long since have been totally destroyed. In the laSt siege of Athens the Parthenon suffered additional damage.