385 



P. 146. 1. 5. The following instance very clearly shews, 

 how much the love of strong oppositions and 

 striking effects is apt to make painters neglect 

 or sacrifice the qualities of beauty, even where 

 they are most requisite. In Sir Joshua Rey- 

 nolds's collection there was a head by Rem- 

 brandt, which was supposed to be intended 

 for that of Achilles : the form of the face had 

 more of beauty than is usual in those of Rem- 

 brandt; but in order to give a more glittering 

 effect to the helmet, he had kept down the 

 colour of the flesh to so low a tone, that it 

 appeared almost black. If Sir Joshua (who I 

 believe has mentioned this picture in some of 

 his works) thought the silvery tint of Guido 

 more suited to express the delicacy of female 

 beauty than even the golden hue of Titian, 

 what must he have thought of changing the 

 young and beautiful Achilles into an Othello! 



P.233. l.last. The circumstance of Kent's hav'mgpaint- 

 ed nothing but young beeches, because he had 

 been used to plant them, is taken from Mr. 

 Walpole. His works are so much read, and 

 his manner of treating all subjects is so lively 

 and amusing, as well as ingenious, that I sup- 

 posed this anecdote was familiar to every 

 body ; nor could I have thought it necessary 

 to put the words painter, plant, and landscapes 

 in Italics, in order to prevent any misappre- 

 hension of my meaning. But Mr. G. Mason 



