Examining by touch

The Vatican, Rome

On the following day, being Thursday, I visited the Vatican for the first time.

My feelings on entering this museum of the finest sculpture in the world were not of that rapturous nature which I hear every amateur of this beautiful and interesting art, or even a common observer, express.

No! It was not with me as with others, who, on entering the room, are struck by a collection of the finest statues bursting on their view, not knowing what first or most to admire, being for a time lost in the confusion of delightful variety and viewing them collectively before they can fix their attention on any single object.

How different were my feelings! For when it was announced that I was in the midst of these exquisite works of art, although my imagination was raised to the highest pitch and well adapted to supply the deficiency of visual organs, it could but faintly convey to my mind the impressions which an ocular inspection must have excited.

This coup d'œil¹ with me was not only wanting, but I had to walk up to each statue in rotation and listen to a tame description of its beauties. I was even not allowed the advantage of examining by the touch as soldiers were placed in each apartment to prevent such violation.

Had I been freely permitted this kind of examination, I doubt not that I might have been as highly gratified as those who saw, for the sense of touch conveys to my mind as clear, or at least as satisfactory, ideas of the form and I think, I may add, the force of expression as sight does to others.

I did occasionally examine them in this way by stealth when I was apprised that the soldiers' backs were turned towards me.

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extract from The Narrative of a Journey through France, &c. (London, 1822) by James Holman FRS, pp.152-153, edited by Joe Rizzo Naudi.

1. a glance that takes in a comprehensive view (OED). Literally "a stroke of the eye”.