WANDERINGS IN SOUTH AMERICA 313 



portion, will be the result of the best intentions 

 and utmost exertions of the workman. Canova's 

 education, taste, and genius enabled him to pre- 

 sent to the world statues so correct and beautiful 

 that they are worthy of universal admiration. 

 Had a common stonecutter tried his hand upon 

 the block out of which these statues were sculp- 

 tured, what a lamentable want of symmetry and 

 fine countenance there would have been. Now, 

 when we reflect that the preserved specimens in 

 our museums and private collections are always 

 done upon a wrong principle, and generally by 

 low and illiterate people, whose daily bread de- 

 pends upon the shortness of time in which they 

 can get through their work, and whose opposition 

 to the true way of preparing specimens can only 

 be surpassed by their obstinacy in adhering to the 

 old method; can we any longer wonder at their 

 want of success ; or hope to see a single specimen 

 produced that will be worth looking atf With 

 this I conclude, hoping that thou hast received 

 some information, and occasionally had a smile 

 upon thy countenance, while perusing these 

 ''Wanderings;" and begging, at the same time, 

 to add that 



Well I know thy penetration 



Many a stain and blot will see, 

 In the languid, long narration, 



Of my sylvan errantry. 



For the pen too oft was weary 

 In the wandering writer's hand, 



As he roved through deep and dreary 

 Forests, in a distant land. 



