PRAWING THE FIGURE. 399 



have great talents industry will improve them : if 

 you have moderate abilities, industry will supply 

 their deficiency. Nothing is denied to well-directed 

 labour; nothing is to be obtained without it. Not 

 to enter into metaphysical discussions on the nature 

 or essence of genius, I will venture to assert, that 

 assiduity unabated by difficulties, and a disposition 

 eagerly directed to the object of its pursuit, will 

 produce effects similar to those which some call 

 the result of natural powers. Though a man can- 

 not at all times, and in all places, paint or draw, 

 yet the mind can prepare itself by laying in proper 

 materials, at all times and in all places." 



" I cannot help imagining that I see a promis- 

 ing young painter, equally vigilant, whether at 

 home or abroad, in the streets or in the fields* 

 Every object that presents itself is to him a lesson. 

 He regards all nature with a view to his profession,, 

 and combines her beauties, or corrects her defects. 

 He examines the countenances of men under the 

 influence of passion, and often catches the most 

 pleasing hints from subjects of turbulence or de- 

 formity. Even bad pictures themselves supply 

 him with useful documents ; and, as Leonardo da 

 Vinci has observed, he improves upon the fanciful 

 images that are sometimes seen in the fire, or are 

 accidently sketched upon a discoloured walk" 



"The artist who has his mind thus filled with 

 ideas, and his hand made expert by practice, works 

 with ease and readiness ^ whilst he who would 

 have you believe that he is waiting for the inspir- 

 ations of genius, is in reality at a loss how to begin, 

 and is at last delivered of his monsters with diffi- 

 culty and pain." 



" What then," exclaims Gesner, " must be the 

 fate of those who do not join an inflexible labour 



