LANDSCAPE PAINTING . 173 



taker to copy every thing before him just as it really 

 presents itself. This may be desirable as a remem- 

 brance, or an exact illustration of the scenery of a 

 country, and indeed occasionally, by some happy 

 accident, as a work of art ; it may also have great 

 interest as representing passages in rural life. But 

 it is obvious that, in a country highly cultivated, 

 a scene very accurately delineated represents the 

 materials only, and not the composition of nature, 

 strictly so called. 



" On the other hand, the landscape painter should 

 aim much higher ; he should get all his materials 

 from the most striking and characteristic specimens 

 in nature, and study such forms and combinations 

 as may make an interesting impression on the mind. 

 Trees, rocks, water, mountains all his materials he 

 should arrange upon the same principle that an 

 historical painter observes in composing from living 

 models. He should address the imagination rather 

 than the eye, and endeavour to convey to his work 

 some prevailing character, which may awaken a 

 corresponding sympathy and interest in the con- 

 templative beholder. 



" As to colour and effect, every tinge of light that 

 is beautiful and striking, every varied appearance 

 that the change of the hour and the seasons may 

 bring forth, should be marked down and coloured on 

 the spot. This should be the unremitting practice 

 of the artist, that his works may bear the impress 

 and truth of nature. 



' Taking care to lay his emphasis upon those 

 dominant objects that give beauty, character, or 



