8 



nature united with those of art, are in the 

 pictures and designs of the most eminent 

 masters. 



But although certain happy composi- 

 tions, detached from the general mass of 

 objects and considered by themselves, have 

 the greatest and most lasting effect both in 

 nature and painting ; and though the pain- 

 ter, in respect to his own art, may think of 

 those only, and give himself no concern 

 about the rest, he cannot do so if he be an 

 improver as well as a painter; for he might 

 then neglect or injure what was essential 

 to the whole, by attending only to a part. 

 By this we may perceive a great and ob- 

 vious difference between a painter who 

 confines himself to his own profession, and 

 one who should add to it that of an 

 improver: the first would only have to 

 observe what formed a single composition 

 or picture, which he might transfer upon his 

 canvas: the second must consider the 

 whole range of scenery, in which, not only 

 the most striking pictures or compositions 

 are to be shewn to advantage, but where 



