APPENDIX. 163 



nently flourimed. I am not here to give the Hiftory of the 

 two Arts, how they were both in a manner extinguifhed by 

 the irruption of the barbarous nations, and both reftored about 

 the times of Leo X. Charles V. and Francis I. tho' I might 

 obferve, that neither Ariofto, nor any of his cotemporary 

 Poets, ever arrived at the excellency of Raphael, Titian, and 

 the reft in Painting. But in revenge, at this time, or lately in 

 many countries, Poetry is better practifed than her Sifter- Art. 

 To what height the magnificence and encouragement of the 

 prefent King of France may carry Painting and Sculpture is 

 uncertain ; but by what he has done before the war in which 

 he is engaged, we may expect what he will do after the happy 

 conclufion of a peace ; which is the prayer and wi(h of all thofe 

 who have not an intereft to prolong the miferies of Europe. 

 For it is moft certain, as our Author, amongft others, has ob- 

 ferved, that Reward is the fpur of virtue, as well in all good 

 arts, as in all laudable attempts; and Emulation, which is the 

 other fpur, will never be wanting either amongft Poets or 

 Painters, when particular rewards and prizes are propofed to 

 the beft defervers. But to return from this digreffion, though 

 it was almoft neceflary, all the rules of Painting are methodi- 

 cally, concifely, and yet clearly delivered in this prefent treatife 

 which I have tranflated : Boffu has not given more exact rules 

 for the Epic Poem, nor Dacier for Tragedy, in his late ex- 

 cellent Tranflation of Ariftotle, and his Notes upon him, than 

 our Frefnoy has made for Painting; with the parallel of which 

 I muft refume my difcourfe, following my Author's Text, 

 though with more brevity than I intended, becaufe Virgil 

 calls me. 



" The principal and moft important part of Painting is to 

 know what is moft beautiful in Nature, and moft proper for 

 that art." That which is the moft beautiful is the moft noble 



X 2 fubject; 



