PRAXITELES, a very famous Greek sculptor,
who lived 330 years before Christ, at the time of the
reign of Alexander the Great. All the ancient writers
mention his statues with a high commendation, espe-
cially a Venus executed by him for the city of Cnidos,
which was so admirable a piece, that King Nicomedes
offered to release the inhabitants from their tribute as
the purchase of it; but they refused to part with it.
The inhabitants of the isle of Cos requested of Praxi-
teles a statue of Venus; and in consequence of this ap-
plication the artist gave them their choice of two; one
of which represented the goddess entirely naked, and
the other covered with drapery. Both of these were
of exquisite workmanship. Although the former was
esteemed the most beautiful, nevertheless the inhabitants
of Cos had the wisdom to give the preference to the
latter, from a conviction that no motive whatever could
justify their introducing into their city any indecent
statues or paintings, which are so likely to inflame the
passions of young people, and lead them to immorality
and vice. What a reproach will this be to many
Christians!—He was one of the gallants of Phryne the
celebrated courtesan.