34 CAP

ing ; and in this particular they are the libraries of ait*
They may alfo be thought to referable libraries, in the
opportunities they afford for ftudy and improvement,
tince they offer the thoughts and manners of treating
fubjects of other artifts, by remarks upon which, their
excellencies and defects may be discovered, and either
emulated, or avoided. Not to add, that perhaps a very
brilliant hint, may be taken from a crude idea of fome
former matter ; or, that what has been attempted by
one, may perhaps be perfected by another ; who with-
out the original fuggeftion, would not have confidered
the fubject.

What it is which prevents in England the utility of
cabinets, or prevents us from pofleffing a public cabinet,
is not unworthy the attention of artifts (efpecially
vounger artifts), and of lovers of the^arts in general.

Cabinet Pieces are thofe of proper fize, &c. to
form part of fuch collections.

CAPITAL is a character given to performances
whofe merit is of the higheft ftandard.

It may well be fuppofed, that the number of capi-
tal pieces in any department of art, muft be very fmall:
few matters poffeffing. fufhcient abilities for the pro-
duction of fuch works. That many artifts excel in
fome particular department, whofe talents in others are
but moderate, is certain ; thus one may defign in a
noble and grand ftyle, while his colouring or manage-
ment, is but indifferent. Another may colour to ad-
miration; but without fufficient dexterity in defign.
A picture may be capital in one refpect, yet not be a
capital picture, becaufe of its obvious deficieacies in
other requifites.

While