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over Etruria and Asia Minor, as well as Greece; and, on the other, the Dorian race, whose first distinctive appearance as a race of builders may be traced to something like 700 years b.c. Sparta constituted the head-quarters of the Doric, Arcadia of the Ionic. In Athens the races seem to have been nearly equally mixed, and in other states they dwelt together, peaceably, but rarely losing altogether their national characteristics, in varying proportions.

The Pelasgi may be regarded as the parents of Etruscan architecture, and of all those monuments in Grecian architecture of which the spiral is the peculiar characteristic. This spiral appears upon their earliest monuments, and was preserved as the favourite ornament until the date of their latest. To them and to their skill we are indebted for all those beautiful structures the roofs of which are supported by columns of what we know as the Ionic order, having for the leading characteristic of their capitals the double Asiatic spiral which we call the volute.

Of this the temple of Erechtheus at Athens is by far the most beautiful example, and in it the utmost perfection of refined architecture was attained. Every proportion is exquisite, and the enrichments of all the different parts and architectural members exhibit a finish and grace which have never been surpassed.

There may be found preserved in the British Museum many fragments of the ornamental details of this structure; and I may aver, without hesitation, that there are no other architectural fragments so beautiful in all the world. How and why it may be my duty to trace in one of the discourses of my next year's course; it is enough for me here to record my belief.

The Dorians, who erected their temples in the Doric style, were a people of singular energy and ability. It is not for me, in this University, to pronounce eulogia on races, with the triumphs of whose literature and with the details of