PERSPECTIVE. 375 



who wish to make any proficiency in this art. 

 Some knowledge of it ought to be acquired, 

 previous to the study of every branch of drawing, 

 whether that of the figure, landscape, flowers, &c.; 

 for though its utility may not appear equally evi- 

 dent in all these, yet there are many cases in each, 

 where it is of indispensable necessity ; and an ac- 

 quaintance with it will save the student the trouble 

 of much wrong thinking, and will enable him to 

 avoid many errors which he otherwise must neces- 

 sarily fall into. 



It is true, that many people learn to draw without 

 studying perspective, and too many of those whose 

 profession it is to teach this useful branch of edu- 

 cation, do not sufiiciently recommend to their 

 pupils to learn the principles of this science. The 

 reason of this it is not difficult to point out. The 

 study of perspective, like that of geometry, has in 

 itself but few charms, and it is only by being well 

 convinced, that without it we can never hope to 

 arrive at excellence, and by experiencing how 

 much it accelerates and assists us in our practice 

 of drawing, that we can with patience and resolu- 

 tion go through studies that certainly appear to 

 most people dry and unentertaining. Unfortu- 

 nately, from this circumstance, and from the ab- 

 struse and obscure manner in which it is treated 

 off by the generality of writers on the subject, few 

 will take the trouble of making themselves ac- 

 quainted with a science so necessary. 



But though the understanding perspective 

 thoroughly^ certainly does require considerable 

 geometrical knowledge, added to great patience 

 and persevering investigation, yet so much as would 

 enable those who draw to avoid making any very 



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