DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.61012#0038
4
THE FIRST DISCOURSE.
with an atmosphere of floating knowledge, where every
mind may imbibe somewhat congenial to its own original
conceptions. Knowledge, thus obtained, has always some-
thing more popular and useful than that which is forced
upon the mind by private precepts or solitary meditation.
Besides, it is generally found, that a youth more easily
receives instruction from the companions of his studies,
whose minds are nearly on a level with his own, than from
those who are much his superiors; and it is from his equals
only that he catches the fire of emulation.
One advantage, I will venture to affirm, we shall have in
our Academy, which no other nation can boast. We shall
have nothing to unlearn. To this praise the present race
of Artists have a just claim. As far as they have yet
proceeded, they are right. With us the exertions of genius
will henceforward be directed to their proper objects. It
will not be as it has been in other schools, where he
that travelled fastest only wandered farthest from the right
way.
Impressed, as I am, therefore, with such a favourable
opinion of my associates, in this undertaking, it would ill
become me to dictate to any of them. But as these
Institutions have so often failed in other nations; and as it
is natural to think with regret how much might have been
done, I must take leave to offer a few hints, by which those
errors may be rectified, and those defects supplied. These
the Professors and Visitors may reject or adopt as they
shall think proper.
I would chiefly recommend that an implicit obedience
to the Rtiles of Art, as established by the practice of the
great Masters, should be exacted from the young Students.
That those models, which have passed through the
approbation of ages, should be considered by them as
THE FIRST DISCOURSE.
with an atmosphere of floating knowledge, where every
mind may imbibe somewhat congenial to its own original
conceptions. Knowledge, thus obtained, has always some-
thing more popular and useful than that which is forced
upon the mind by private precepts or solitary meditation.
Besides, it is generally found, that a youth more easily
receives instruction from the companions of his studies,
whose minds are nearly on a level with his own, than from
those who are much his superiors; and it is from his equals
only that he catches the fire of emulation.
One advantage, I will venture to affirm, we shall have in
our Academy, which no other nation can boast. We shall
have nothing to unlearn. To this praise the present race
of Artists have a just claim. As far as they have yet
proceeded, they are right. With us the exertions of genius
will henceforward be directed to their proper objects. It
will not be as it has been in other schools, where he
that travelled fastest only wandered farthest from the right
way.
Impressed, as I am, therefore, with such a favourable
opinion of my associates, in this undertaking, it would ill
become me to dictate to any of them. But as these
Institutions have so often failed in other nations; and as it
is natural to think with regret how much might have been
done, I must take leave to offer a few hints, by which those
errors may be rectified, and those defects supplied. These
the Professors and Visitors may reject or adopt as they
shall think proper.
I would chiefly recommend that an implicit obedience
to the Rtiles of Art, as established by the practice of the
great Masters, should be exacted from the young Students.
That those models, which have passed through the
approbation of ages, should be considered by them as