AN ESSAY
ON
THE EDUCATION OF THE EYE
WITH
REFERENCE TO PAINTING.
In a country so largely connected with manufactures as this is, we cannot
but wonder why the education of the eye has not been more generally
cultivated; observing, as is also the case with the ear, that its education
in after life rarely gives the possessor those advantages which result from
a proper direction having been given in youth: nor do I see why drawing
should not accompany the elements of reading and writing, the complicated
forms of the letters in many languages presenting a more serious obstacle
than what is required in the rudiments of drawing; and I have no doubt
but that a very short time would be sufficient to enable a scholar to draw
objects with tolerable correctness. Without this education, not only are
the most valuable advantages often lost', but the mind is deprived of one
1 Locke, whose attention was turned to this branch of education, says, " when he can write
well and quick, I think it may be convenient not only to continue the exercise of his hand in
writing, but also to improve the use of it further in drawing, a thing very useful to gentlemen on
B
ON
THE EDUCATION OF THE EYE
WITH
REFERENCE TO PAINTING.
In a country so largely connected with manufactures as this is, we cannot
but wonder why the education of the eye has not been more generally
cultivated; observing, as is also the case with the ear, that its education
in after life rarely gives the possessor those advantages which result from
a proper direction having been given in youth: nor do I see why drawing
should not accompany the elements of reading and writing, the complicated
forms of the letters in many languages presenting a more serious obstacle
than what is required in the rudiments of drawing; and I have no doubt
but that a very short time would be sufficient to enable a scholar to draw
objects with tolerable correctness. Without this education, not only are
the most valuable advantages often lost', but the mind is deprived of one
1 Locke, whose attention was turned to this branch of education, says, " when he can write
well and quick, I think it may be convenient not only to continue the exercise of his hand in
writing, but also to improve the use of it further in drawing, a thing very useful to gentlemen on
B