86 Kotices respecting New Booh. 



lous conceit of crowds, hut to command the respect of the 

 great and wise. He bent his powers to the formation of 

 h'.i own mind: he apphed himself to reading: he sought 

 the society of the learned : ardent in his researches, boldlv 

 investigaiing truth, pertinacious (though not overbearing) 

 in argument, while he elicited light from his opponent, and 

 steady to principles \\ hich he found could not be shaken by 

 controversy; in this manner, while an unremitting perse- 

 verance, superior to the neglect of the multitude, Oiainlain- 

 eJ the cunning of his hand, he became a scholar and a 

 painter. 



" The Life of Reynolds, published in Dr. Walcott's edition 

 of Pilkinglon's Dictionary, was the first specimen of his 

 literary ability. In thishc displayed a profound knowledge 

 of the subject, a quick and powerful perception of distinctive 

 character, and a mastery of language little to be expected 

 from a youth who was supposed to have been destitute of 

 learning. 



"He next published a letter in the Morning Chronicle, 

 (since re-published in "An Inquiry into the requisite Cul- 

 tivation of the Arts of Design in England,") in which he 

 proposed a distinct plan for the formation of a National 

 Gallery, tending at once to exalt the arts of his country, 

 and immortalize its glories. To this he annexed his 

 name, in consistence with the openness of character which 

 at all times distinguished his actions. 



" His lectures at the Royal Institution followed : — these 

 were a spirited attempt to dis])by the depths of his profes- 

 sional knowledge, amidst a circle assembled for entertain- 

 ment and fashionable delight. His lectures impressed re- 

 spect on his audience: they were full of instructive ma- 

 terials; they taught ihe principles of painting, and presented 

 an accumulation of maxims founded on history and ob- 

 servation. But to whatever praise they mij:ht vindicate a 

 claim, they never satisfied their author; and he declined the 

 continuance of them. His election to the proiessorship of 

 painting at the Royal Academy happening nearly at this 

 time, he resolved to perfect what he had perceived defective; 

 and he read at Somerset House four lectures, which, avoid- 

 ing: 



