as conneBed lOith Land/cape Painting. o,g* t 



agreeably-fhaped mafs of light, though the objects themfelves 

 arc unpleafant. 



Though we may be thus confined in treating a view, there 

 will be ample latitude for the difplay of our tatle in the form- 

 ation of the clouds, trees, light, and (hade, and in the dif- 

 pofition of the animated objecls. One thing highly necef- 

 lary in the introduction of figures is, that they enter into and 

 make part of the fcene; and not come in as mere accompa- 

 niments, or as having no connection with the reft of the 

 picture. This error is daily practifed, and argues' a moft 

 futile imagination. A man and woman talking, a folitary 

 failor with a bundle at his back, or miferable fifherman, with 

 now and then a cow or two to keep each other in counte- 

 nance, form the inmoft ftretch of fome people's fancy. By 

 a. little reflection we (hall avoid fuch abfurdities, and be en- 

 abled to introduce our little group with fitnefs. As all ranks 

 of perfons inhabit the country, it admits of the utmoft di- 

 verfity in the figures ; any degree of elevation or delicacy 

 may be given, if -accompanied by an appropriate employ. If 

 the fubject is paftoral, though the figures need not be Arca- 

 dian, the low and vulgar fhould be carefullv avoided : it is 

 our duty to raife, not dcprefs,the human fpecles : though our 

 purfuits are humble, they need not be mean. 



One thing neceflary to the acquirement of excellence in 

 this (or, indeed, anv other branch of ftudy) is, to think it 

 an object of fufHcient confequence to deferve all our atten- 

 tion : this will prevent our falling into a carelels habit, and, 

 of courfe, going from bad to worie. Lord Chefterfidd'a 

 obfervation fhould never be loft fight of — " What is worth 

 doing, is worth doing well." To think meanly of the arts, is 

 to want the means to become excellent. Let us guard againft 

 a common error, that genius cannot cxift unconnected with 

 difiipation: the fact is, the moft renowned artifis have been 

 the moft temperate. Intemperance and ftudy cannot exift 

 in the fame mind, or at leaft in fuch a degree as to produce 

 any fenfible advantage. He who begins his career of life in 

 ratification of his corporeal pleafures, will in time find 

 (he memory of .ill other delights deadened, and ultimately 

 Q^q i fink 



