a 20 On Valni'ing, 



to alTert, that v/e approach the Divinity in nothing fo much 

 as in wifdom. Kcnce, as the arts are connected with wif- 

 dom, as men hecome carelefs of their ciihure, they become 

 equally incapable of fulfilling the duties of focial beinsjs. For 

 knowledge is what humanizes mankind ; realon inclines 

 them to mlldnefs, but ignorance generates prejudice, which 

 eradicates every tender feelins:. • 



By drawhig is meant the exaft imitation of all the forms 

 and manners which prefent themfelves to our fight; and in 

 knowing how to give every thing its proper and corrcfpond- 

 ing charaftcr agreeably to the fubje6l confifts the excellence 

 of what the artill terms a good draftsman. 



Drawing, as far as it is connected jvith mere imitation, is 

 a mechanical operation, and may be acquired bv a perfon of 

 very moderate talents. So may acknowledge of bodies, pro- 

 perties, fafts, events, and fables, by reading. But the powers 

 of invention, the vrs poetica, which dillinguiflies the bard 

 from the mere verfifier or journalift, the genius from the 

 mere imitator and copyift, muft be a gift from heaven be- 

 flowed at the formation of the being. Neither this poetic 

 energy nor the inventive powers of the artift can be taught 

 in fchools or academies ; but they both may be buried in riift 

 and inaftion, if proper objeels are not prefented to call them 

 into motion. So the inventive powers of genius will he fu- 

 tile if unaccompanied by a fkill in drawinij. Without this, 

 the learning of the painter or fculptor cannot be (hown to 

 advantage: it is the jhie qua non by which all the other ac- 

 compli fii men ts are difplayed. 



From what has been already ftated, the dependence of 

 painting on drawing muft be obvious. 



Genius has been compared to fire from flint, which can 

 only be produced by collifion : if fo, fucccfs muft follow where 

 nature direfts and perfeverance attends. Aftivity is a ne- 

 ceflary ingredient to enable us to obtain a knowledge in art ; 

 and mould we find others out-ftep us, let us redouble our 

 diligence, and comfort ourfelves with the recoUeftion, that 

 a late fpring produces the greateft plenty. 



No one can poffibly judge of his powers from mere fpecu- 

 lation ; the teft muft be applied before the value of the goW 

 can be known. Nor will inaftivity ever difcover how far 

 our fortitude will enable us to overcome difficulties, our pa- 

 tience to bear difappointment, or our induflry enable. us 

 to range the wide field of art. For, were the arts of eafy at- 

 tainment, thev would be unworthy the notice of a great 

 mind. This iliould induce us to increafe our exertions in 

 proportion to our difappoinlments, remembering that to ftrive 



5 with 



