294 Ilhiflralion of the Principles of Compojition 



je£t be landfcape or hiftory : this much it may be ncceffary 

 to premife, as it indicates the dependence of one part on an- 

 other as to the forming a whole. By an inquiry into the 

 obstructions to the obtaining a knowledge of this elegant and 

 pleating part of the arts, we lhall find it arife (as in mod 

 other cafes) from want of knowing what plan to purfuc, 

 and often from improper inftructions ; much of our fucceis 

 depending on being once in a right road. 



Many are taught to believe that by copying parts they 

 will be able to form a whole ; and this error is, in fonie mea- 

 fure, encouraged by many of our publications. Few things 

 are likely to prove fo injurious as purfuing petty plans; to 

 dare much is the character of genius ; and, if we muft fall, 

 let us, at any rate, fall like Phaeton. 



The means mod likely to enable us to acquire a knowledge 

 in the arts is, firft to ftudy pictures, and then refort to Na- 

 ture ; remembering to add to the ftock we may collect from 

 the wifdom of others, fuch original matter as may refult from 

 our own diligence. But though copying pictures may be 

 necefTary, very little knowledge will be obtained by it, other 

 than what depends on the. mechanical parts of the art. He 

 will at all times copy bed, who paints beft; nor can we 

 hope ever to become great by merely imitating another: by 

 fuch a pra<5tice we may learn how to mix colours, but that 

 is very different from a knowledge of colouring. It is true, 

 we muft reafon from caufe to effect ; but that is a mode of 

 inquiry feldorh purfued by the mere copyift. 



Composition embraces two confulerafions : firft, as it re - 

 fpc£ts alterations which may take place in a view, and which 

 is by the artift termed compofing it; and, fecondly, as it ap- 

 plies to works of fancy purely. But as the principles of one 

 regulate the other, all that will be necefiary is briefly to 

 itate that no Ucenfe fiiould be taken with the view fo as to 

 affect the general features : diverfifying maffes of earth, agree- 

 ably breaking the foreground, or the accidental introduction 

 or omifiion of any inferior object, is allowable. The forms 

 of mountains, mould they appear difagreeable, may be thrown 

 in ffiade, or involved in clouds, in part, to conceal them; 

 and the fliadows may be artfully introduced to produce an 



agreeable 



