d, the grandest, the most exalted principle requires no more
_time_ to become master of than the lowest and the worst! And, 'As no
school ever excelled the Dutch--combining in itself all the excellencies
of the Italian--painters should go to the Dutch and Flemish schools to
learn the art of painting, as they would go to a grammar-school to learn
languages.'--'A close examination of their works will give us that
experience of the principles on which they wrought, in a _very_ short
space of time, which cost them ages to ascertain.

'The frequent allusions which every one, who treats of any art, is
obliged to make to others, in order to illustrate and confirm his
principles, sufficiently show their near connexion and inseparable
relation.'

However, 'The great business of study is to form a mind, adapted and
adequate to all times, and to all occasions; to which all nature is then
laid open.'

'The _highest_ point of art is to _conceal_ itself: and the very praises
we lavish on works that are 'true to nature,' only prove the perfection
of art.'

I have taken up the art as I found it in the practice of the most
approved methods: nor have I attempted to support any paradoxes for the
sake of novelty.

Theories herein investigated, and many rules here laid down, many loose
and scattered suggestions and successful results, that 'pass current
from one to another,' I have endeavoured to place in the readiest manner
before the student, that they may become immediately available to his
purpose, or occasionally refresh his memory, without caring whence they
may be derived. Even in the collecting of disjointed materials, a
structure is formed every way calculated to abridge his labours and
shorten the road, however carelessly thrown together; and will, in all
probability, stimulate him to further investigation.

Improve every hour, and the mind will become variously enriched by
systematic study: it will look through Nature with a discriminating
power, even to her minutest productions, but with a refinement of taste
and skill of selection that will reject all that is unworthy. When small
pretension finds a welcome, it usually arises from ignorance in those
who patronize. These persons, in their turn, generally pay the penalty
their errors or conceit bring upon them.

THE AUTHOR OF THIS WORK TEACHES UPON THE PRINCIPLES THEREIN
DEMONSTRATED.

ON WATER-COLOUR.

AS the object of this work was, in the first intention, in