66 OF PAINTING. BOOK I. 



particular effects of light and shade, or so disguised by other 

 objects as not to strike those who look only for the general ef- 

 fect or expression of the composition. It must be remembered 

 also, that the least break or projection, which in the reality 

 may be scarcely discernible, will, by particular modes of 

 opposing objects to the light, appear to produce considerable 

 shadows in a picture, which it would very seldom do in the 

 reality. This may be productive of great mischief, respecting 

 these effects, should the architect copy such absurdities. But 

 the great use of studying pictures is to direct the improver to 

 proper subjects in nature ; there he not only sees the effect,, but 

 can examine every object and part of the scene on all sides; 

 he can discriminate the species of trees, the nature of the soil, 

 the progress and decay of vegetation, and a number of other 

 circumstances, of which a mere student of pictures can form 

 no idea. In this study, the improver must be guarded against 

 mistaking the idea of mere copying without attending to prin- 

 ciple, and of mistaking peculiarities for general nature. The 

 study of pictures may direct him as far as relates to visual 

 effects of objects. But the particular soils and situations of 

 trees, shrubs, and plants, can only be acquired by comparing 

 one part of nature with another, and finding the general me- 

 dium. In this study, botany and husbandry are of particular 

 advantage, as wiU be seen in the proper place. 



