338 Gilpin's forest sceneet. 



whole as a proper distribution of liglit and shade, 

 wliicli we best obtain when we present a land- 

 scape under one of these grand effects of Nature. 

 A common sunshine furnishes lights, not masses. 

 It may throw a beautiful illumination on particular 

 objects, but the grand effects of Nature furnish 

 the only opportunities of forming the masses of 

 each. 



What gives the most grandeur to these effects 

 is z. predominancy 0/ s/iaie, which Aas always more 

 dignified ideas annexed to it than a predominancy 

 of light. And yet how little is this observed ? In 

 the generality of pictures and prints you see the 

 balance on the other side, and are often offended 

 with glaring spots of light, which destroy the idea 

 of a whole. The painter should examine his piece, 

 therefore, with great care. He may put out one 

 light after another, and, reviewing his work with 

 a fresh eye, may still find some glaring part to 

 erase before he venture it abroad. On this occa- 

 sion he may apply with good sense, and form into 

 an adage, a very nonsensical expression (as it 

 appears) in Shakespeare : — 



'Put out the light — and then — put out the light.' 



