Burnet, John: A treatise on painting: in four parts: Consisting of an essay on the education of the eye with reference to painting, ann four parts. Consisting of an essay on the education of the eye with reference to painting, and practid practical hints on composition, chiaroscuro and colour (London, 1837)

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