Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 8.djvu/100

70 hand, can the study be advantageously pursued. It is to be regretted that there is no extensive and well-arranged collection to which ready access might be had for the purpose. Fortunately there is something so attractive about them, that some individuals have taken pleasure in bringing many of them together even without regard to any ulterior use to be made of them. The collector of seals may be assured that he renders no inconsiderable service to the cause of archaeology, though he may be prompted solely by the gratification of a natural curiosity; for there will, I doubt not, be found those who can turn his stores to good account; and since it is now practicable to multiply examples by means of gutta percha, the more curious and instructive may be placed in their hands without any detriment to the collector. Amidst the great diversity and number of the seals which he acquires, he must soon be sensible of the want of some system of classification, if he would observe anything like an orderly arrangement; and he probably tries several methods without being able to satisfy himself Should he seek assistance from any publication on seals, he finds the distribution of the subject, however well adapted for a treatise, does not answer his requirements. The author and collector have very different ends in view. The author may class them according to the various descriptions of persons by whom they were used, or the different purposes for which they were employed; and treat specifically only of such as he can bring within those several heads. He is not bound to find a fitting place for every seal that may occur. This the methodical collector wishes to do; but the most experienced, however discriminating, must often be ignorant alike of those who used the seals which he meets with, and of the particular purposes for which they were employed. A mere chronological arrangement is impracticable; for to many no date could be assigned with sufficient certainty to determine their places. Various modes of classification might be suggested, each presenting some advantage; but most persons who well consider the subject will, I think, be convinced that no scheme will be found really practicable, however specious, that does not depend on such distinctions as appear on the seals themselves. This may at first seem to lead to a very artificial and unusual distribution, yet, in reality, such is by no means extensively the case; and a little singularity is