SOUTH AMERICA. 319 



workman. Canova's education, taste, and genius 

 enabled him to present to the world statues so 

 correct and beautiful, that they are worthy of 

 universal admiration. Had a common stone- 

 cutter tried his hand upon the block, out of 

 which these statues were sculptured, what a 

 lamentable want of symmetry and fine counte- 

 nance there would have been. Now, when we 

 reflect that the preserved specimens in our mu- 

 seums, and private collections, are always done 

 upon a wrong principle, and generally by low 

 and illiterate people, whose daily bread depends 

 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 

 at? 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. 



