280 tTbe (Barren 



landscape and a crown surveyor are incom- 

 patible. 



I have thus brought down to the conclusion 

 of the last reign (the period I had marked to 

 this work) the history of our arts and artists, 

 from the earliest era in which we can be said to 

 have had either. Though there have been only 

 gleams of light and flashes of genius, rather 

 than progressive improvements or flourishing 

 schools, the inequality and insufficiency of the 

 execution have flowed more from my own de- 

 fects than from those of the subject. The 

 merits of the work, if it has any, are owing to 

 the indefatigable industry of Mr. Vertue in 

 amassing all possible materials. As my task is 

 finished, it will, I hope, at least excite others to 

 collect and preserve notices and anecdotes for 

 some future continuator. The era promises to 

 furnish a nobler harvest. Our exhibitions, and 

 the institution of a Royal Academy, inspire the 

 artists with emulation, and recommend them 

 to employment. The public examines and rea- 

 sons on their works, and spectators by degrees 

 become judges. Nor are persons of the first 

 rank mere patrons. Lord Harcourt's etchings 

 are superior in boldness and freedom of stroke 

 to any thing we have seen from established 

 artists. Gardening and architecture owe as 

 much to the nobility and to men of fortune as 



