DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.18732#0192
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But perhaps your thoughts fuggeft in anfwer to
thefe remarks, that the public encourage productions
of one kind, while thofeof the other do not maintain
their profeffors: I know this is often faid ; I doubt
its truth, but from my fituation am not able to prove
its falfiry. If it is true, I very greatly pity the pro-
penfity and genius which leads to the arts; I ceafe
to wonder they have yet attained no nearer to per-
fection ; indeed, I ceafe to defire they fhculd attain
perfection : but, above all, I condemn that depravity
of manners and of tafte, which has not fufficient
virtue remaining to encourage it in the moft liberal
of all fciences! If this fact is true, I advife parents
to confider well ere they expofe their children to the
confequences of the profeflion $ and youth I advife to
be wary how they engage in it. But my hopes are,
that it is not true; and that you, Sir, may be ac-
quainted with many inftances befides yourfelf, whofe
refpectability of manners is no injury to their for-
tune, reputation, or fkill; but who unite to the at-
tainments which do honor to the Artift, thofe fupe-
rior endowments which we efteem in the Gentleman
and the Chriftian.
Not to trefpafs on your patience or your Work, I
fhould here clofe my letter; but firft think it proper
to acquaint you, that my refidence is at a diftance
from London, to which I feldom refort, but when
called by bufmefs. If my remarks therefore are not
applicable, you will pleafe to correct them; and by
that correction you will oblige,
S I R,
S. W. Your admirer,
Hampfliire. CLERICUS.
That
But perhaps your thoughts fuggeft in anfwer to
thefe remarks, that the public encourage productions
of one kind, while thofeof the other do not maintain
their profeffors: I know this is often faid ; I doubt
its truth, but from my fituation am not able to prove
its falfiry. If it is true, I very greatly pity the pro-
penfity and genius which leads to the arts; I ceafe
to wonder they have yet attained no nearer to per-
fection ; indeed, I ceafe to defire they fhculd attain
perfection : but, above all, I condemn that depravity
of manners and of tafte, which has not fufficient
virtue remaining to encourage it in the moft liberal
of all fciences! If this fact is true, I advife parents
to confider well ere they expofe their children to the
confequences of the profeflion $ and youth I advife to
be wary how they engage in it. But my hopes are,
that it is not true; and that you, Sir, may be ac-
quainted with many inftances befides yourfelf, whofe
refpectability of manners is no injury to their for-
tune, reputation, or fkill; but who unite to the at-
tainments which do honor to the Artift, thofe fupe-
rior endowments which we efteem in the Gentleman
and the Chriftian.
Not to trefpafs on your patience or your Work, I
fhould here clofe my letter; but firft think it proper
to acquaint you, that my refidence is at a diftance
from London, to which I feldom refort, but when
called by bufmefs. If my remarks therefore are not
applicable, you will pleafe to correct them; and by
that correction you will oblige,
S I R,
S. W. Your admirer,
Hampfliire. CLERICUS.
That