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0 D U C T I 0 N.
of their public works. This led me to form the fcheme of vifiting the Ruins
of
the Emperor DIOCLESIAN'S Palace at Spalatro, in Dalmatia; that favorite
building, in which, after refigning the empire, he chofe to refide. I knew,
from the accounts of former travellers, that the remains of this palace,
though
tolerably entire, had never been obferved with any accuracy, or drawn with
any
tafte; I was no ftranger to the paffion of that prince for Architealure,
which
prompted him to ere6l many grand and expenfive ftrud~ures at Rome,
Nicomedia, Milan, Palmyra, and other places in his dominions; I had viewed
his public baths at Rome, one of the nobleft, as well as moft entire, of
all the
ancient buildings, with no lefs admiration than care; I was convinced,
notwithflanding the vifible decline of Architedlure, as well as of the other
arts,
before the reign of DIOCLESIAN*., that his munificence had revived a tafte
in
ArchitedLure fuperior to that of his own times, and had formed artifts capable
of imitating, with no inconfiderable fuccefs, the Hile and manner of a purer
age. The names and hiftory of thofe great mailers are now unknown, but
their works which remain, merit the higheft applaufe; and the extent and
fertility of their genius, feem to have equalled the magnificence of the
monarch
by whom they were employed.
   Induced by all thefe circumrfances, I undertook my voyage to Dalmatia
with
the moft fanguine hopes, and flattered myfelf that it would be attended not
only
with inftrulion to myfelf, but might produce entertainment to the public.
   Having prevailed on Mr. Cleriffeau, a French artift, from whofe take and
knowlege of antiquities I was certain of receiving great affifltance in the
execution of my fcheme, to accompany me in this expedition, and having
engaged two draughtfmen, of whofe fkill and accuracy I had long experience,
we fet fail from Venice on the iith of July, 1757, and on the 22d of that
month arrived at Spalatro.
  This city, though of no great extent, is fo happily fituated, that it appears,
when viewed from the fea, not only pi&orefque but magnificent. As we
entered a grand bay, and failed flowly towards the harbour, the Marine Wall,
* DIOCLESIAN began his reign An. Dom. 284. He refigned the empire in the
year 304, and died in the year
3I3; having fpent the laft nine years of his life at Spalatro.
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I N T R