Besides these there
are some twenty thousand more scattered all over the world in private
collections."
A whistle of surprise escaped Theo.
"Not all of these are equally good, however," went on
Mr. Croyden. "The Etruscan work done by wandering Greek potters and by
some persons rated as identical with the Roman Samian ware, is one of
the finest varieties remaining to us; probably because it escaped
being buried with the dead and therefore was not injured or discolored
by the soil as were so many of the Greek vases found at
Athens. Moreover, we must remember that not every artist who made and
decorated an object excelled. Naturally some did more perfect work
than others, even in the days of the best Grecian art. How sad it is
that at a later period in history the work of the Greeks became less
fine because the ideals of the race degenerated. Pottery makers,
sculptors, and builders began to produce cheap, gaudy things which
were lavishly decorated, and reflected the luxury and extravagance
that had crept into the nation. From that moment the glory of Greece
decayed. For it is the ideals of a country and its people that serve
as guide-posts to the greatest and finest deeds.
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