0« Painting. 2x9 



however, lias taught the contrary ; and I have been further 

 ftrengthencd in uTy rcfolulion by obferving, that the French 

 Natif)nal Inltiinte', in ihcir public filling of April 5, had 

 thought the inquiry of fufficient importance to oflcr it as a 

 fubject for the premium of a gold medal ". 



Fraiuis-fircet, IJcdfcrd-fquare, EdWARD DaYES. 



November 30, i-.oz. 



Essay VII. 



On the Tower and Uj'efuhufs of Dmiving. 



1 am perfuaded rhat to be a virruolb (To far ^l^ bctits a u,enclcman) is a 

 higher ftep towards becoming a man of virtue and good fenie, thau the 

 being what in th:s age we Kill a ichoiar. Lvnl Skifie/hury. 



IN thl» ell'iv we have two objefts in view : to fhow the 

 connexion of drawing with painting; and to exhibit, in as 

 dear a manner as we poHibly can, its nfefulnefs and influence 

 on ft)ciety. 



But before we proceed it may be neceflary to obfervc, that 

 thoff who would qucltion the ulllity of the arts, would be 

 equally difpofed to queftion the utility of thefe eflliys that treat 

 about them. Of their ufcfulncfs wc hope to be able to offer 

 numbcrlefs proofs ; but they rife hiperior to the merely ufe- 

 ful. For that which is neceflary is neither ornamented nor 

 elegant, becaufc ncceflitv implies poverty, while ornament 

 implies abundance. Hence architeciure, as an art, does not 

 apply to mere houfe-building. 



In defence of thefe eflav?, they are ferviceable by cxhibit,- 

 ing the ufcfulncfs of truth ; and fo far they become an object 

 to all thofe who wi(h to be acquainted wiih the fubjccl han- 

 dled, and to obtain a knowledge therein. But to thofe who 

 never think or inquire, or concern thcmfelves with matters 

 of fpcculation, or who lake up with fpccvdations without ex- 

 amining them, or read ontv to confirm themfclvcs in luch as 

 they have received, not any thing can become an obje(Sl of 

 concern, or any book be ufeful. 



'ihat man was not intended by nature for purpofes bafc 

 and ignoble, none will deny ; and, if arguments were wanted, 

 they might be drawn from that eternal inquiry after what- 

 iver is grand, dignified, or exalted ; and, finally, after a Hate 

 fuperior to our prcfent terreftrial one. For it is not too niucli 



• We cannot help thinking iliai Mr. Daycs lias jiuK!;cd well in t^.king 

 I'p ihik cart of the ful)jc£l. Jt \\ of great iiviportantc, and he has rtndeitd 

 an tlTciitial lervicc not only 10 tl;e art itltlf, hut to its liberal iM-ofedors, ijy 

 removing, as his arguments ertV<Muaily do, ill-grounded prejudices iigiiinft 

 its indifpenfablc utility in civili/ud fociety ; prejudices uhicli duld only 

 originate in, and be follcrcd by, li^norancc and rtujiidity.— lioiion. . 



to 



