'(says he) is esteemed the most excellent of all the 'Cartoons; what nobleness, what dignity there is in 'that figure of St. Paul! and yet what an addition to 'that nobleness could Raffaelle have given, had the 'art of contrast been known in his time! but, above

'all, the flowing line, which constitutes grace and 'beauty. You would not then have seen an upright figure standing equally on both legs, and both hands 'stretched forward in the same direction, and his

drapery, to all appearance, without the least art of disposition.' The following picture is the Charge to

Peter.

'Here (says he) are twelve upright figures; what a pity it is that Raffaelle was not acquainted 'with the pyramidal principle! He would then have contrived the figures in the middle to have 'been on higher ground, or the figures at the ex'tremities stooping or lying, which would not only

have formed the group into the shape of a pyramid, but likewise contrasted the standing figures. Indeed,' added he, I have often lamented that so great a genius as Raffaelle had not lived in this enlightened age, since the art has been reduced to ' principles, and had had his education in one of the 'modern academies; what glorious works might we then have expected from his divine pencil !'

I shall trouble you no longer with my friend's observations, which, I suppose, you are now able to continue by yourself. It is curious to observe, that, at the same time that great admiration is pretended for a name of fixed reputation, objections are raised against those very qualities by which that great name was acquired.

Those Critics are continually lamenting that Raffaelle had not the colouring and harmony of Rubens, or the light and shadow of Rembrandt, without considering how much the gay harmony of the former, and affectation of the latter, would take from the dignity of Raffaelle; and yet Rubens had great harmony, and Rembrandt understood light and shadow: but what may be an excellence in a lower class of painting, becomes a blemish in a higher; as the quick, sprightly turn which is the life and beauty of epigrammatic compositions, would but ill suit with the majesty of heroic poetry.

To conclude: I would not be thought to infer from anything that has been said that rules are absolutely unnecessary; but to censure scrupulosity, a servile attention to minute exactness, which is sometimes inconsistent with higher excellency, and is lost in the blaze of expanded genius.

I

I do not know whether you will think painting a general subject. By inserting this letter, perhaps you will incur the censure a man would deserve, whose business being to entertain a whole room, should turn his back to the company, and talk to a particular person.

[Sept. 29, 1759.]

I am, Sir, &c.

A

THOUGH

an intimacy only with a few. The Man in Black, whom I have often mentioned, is one whose friendship I could wish to acquire, because he possesses my esteem. His manners, it is true, are tinctured with come strange inconsistencies; and he may be justly termed an humorist in a nation of humorists. Though he is generous even to profusion, he affects to be thought a prodigy of parsimony and prudence; though his conversation be replete with the most sordid and selfish maxims, his heart is dilated with the most unbounded love. I have known him profess himself a man-hater, while his cheek was glowing with compassion; and, while his looks were softened into

pity, I have heard him use the language of the most unbounded ill-nature. Some affect humanity and tenderness, others boast of having such dispositions from Nature; but he is the only man I ever knew who seemed ashamed of his natural benevolence. He takes as much pains to hide his feelings, as any hypocrite would to conceal his indifference; but on every unguarded moment the mask drops off, and reveals him to the most superficial observer.

In one of our late excursions into the country, happening to discourse upon the provision that was made for the poor in England, he seemed amazed how any of his countrymen could be so foolishly weak as to relieve occasional objects of charity, when the laws had made such ample provision for their support.

In every parish-house,' says he, 'the poor are sup'plied with food, clothes, fire, and a bed to lie on;

they want no more, I desire no more myself; yet 'still they seem discontented. I'm surprised at the 'inactivity of our magistrates, in not taking up such vagrants, who are only a weight upon the industri

ous; I'm surprised that the people are found to

' relieve them, when they must be at the same time

'sensible that it, in some measure, encourages idle

ness, extravagance, and imposture. Were I to advise

'any