to the highest degree. But those who possess neither must be classed with them, who, as Shakspeare says, are men of no mark or likelihood. I inculcate as frequently as I can your forming yourselves upon great principles and great models. Your time will be much mis-spent in every other pursuit. Small excellencies should be viewed, not studied; they ought to be viewed, because nothing ought to escape a Painter's observation: but for no other reason. There is another caution which I wish to give you. Be as select in those whom you endeavour to please, as in those whom you endeavour to imitate. Without the love of fame you can never do any thing excellent but by an excessive and undistinguishing thirst after it, you will come to have vulgar views; you will degrade your style; and your taste will be entirely corrupted. It is certain that the lowest style will be the most popular, as it falls within the compass of ignorance itself; and the Vulgar will always be pleased with what is natural, in the confined and misunderstood sense of the word. One would wish that such depravation of taste should be counteracted with that manly pride which actuated Euripides when he said. to the Athenians who criticised his works, "I do not compose my works in order to be "corrected by you, but to instruct you." It is true to have a right to speak thus, a man must be an Euripides. However, thus much be allowed, that when an Artist is sure that he is upon firm ground, supported by the authority and practice of his predecessors of the greatest reputation, he may then assume the boldness and intrepidity of genius; at any rate he must not be tempted out of the right path by any allurement of popularity, which always accompanies the lower styles of painting. may I mention this, because our Exhibitions, while they produce such admirable effects by nourishing emulation, and calling out genius, have also a mischievous tendency, by seducing the Painter to an ambition of pleasing. indiscriminately the mixed multitude of people who resort to them. DISCOURSE VI. DELIVERED TO THE STUDENTS OF THE ROYAL ACADEMY, ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE PRIZES. DECEMBER 10, 1774, DISCOURSE VI. IMITATION. GENIUS BEGINS WHERE INVENTION:-ACQUIRED RULES END. BY BEING CONVERSANT WITH THE INVENTIONS OF OTHERS. THE TRUE GENTLEMEN, WHEN I have taken the liberty of addressing you on the course and order of your studies, I never proposed to enter into a minute detail of the art. This I have always left to the several Professors, who pursue the end of our institution with the highest honour to themselves, and with the greatest advantage to the Students. My purpose in the discourses I have held in the Academy has been to lay down certain general positions, which seem to me proper for the formation of a sound taste: principles necessary to guard the pupils against those |