Mr. Bew on Blindnefs. 179 
vifible appearances of objeds are feldom accu¬ 
rately attended to, unlefs we are employed in 
delineating thofe objects. The vifible appear¬ 
ance of things, is varied according to the direc¬ 
tion of the light, the pofition, and the diftance, 
with refped to the beholder : yet, as we are con- 
fcious from experience, of the identity, the real 
figure is conceived in its actual proportion, and 
the vifible, or perfpeCtive, appearance is con- 
fidered only as a fign or indication. 
The accurate painter is well aware of this 
operation of the mind, and in delineating his 
objeds, and relieving them with the diftribution 
of light and fbade, ;is carefully attentive to avoid 
formingconclufions, before he accurately confiders 
the premiles. The effect produced by a well 
managed pidure, fufficiently evinces the actual 
appearance of bodies, according to their point 
of view; and the impreflions they muft make 
on the organs of fight, when employed previous 
to the influence of reafon, and the correction of 
the judgment. The painter, who exerts the 
imitative powers of his art to deceive the eye, 
does not merely draw the out line of his figure, 
and colour it with the exad uniform tinge it 
naturally difplays: he furveys it in one certain 
point of view, and then proceeds to delineate 
and adapt his tints, as if the figure were, in 
reality, adhering to the canvafs. It is no won¬ 
der, therefore, that the young Gentleman, juft 
N 2 mentioned. 
