Richardson, Jonathan; Egerton, Thomas [Oth.]; Egerton, John [Oth.]; Debrett, John [Oth.]; Faulder, Robert [Oth.]; Miller, W. [Oth.]; Cuthell, J. [Oth.]; Barker, James [Oth.]; Jeffery, Edward [Oth.]: The Works Of Jonathan Richardson: Containing I. The Theory Of Painting. II. Essay On The Art Of Criticism, (So far as it relates to Painting). III. The Science Of A Connoisseur : The Whole intended as a Supplement to the Anecdotes of Painters and Engravers ([London]: Sold by T. and J. Egerton; J. Debrett; R. Faulder, and W. Miller; J. Cuthell; J. Barker; and E. Jeffrey, 1792)

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As for the present performance, nobody can be more ready to
say, than I to acknowledge, that it is not so well as it should be:
but as in drawings those are good that answer their end; if no more
than the composition (for example) is pretended to, it is impertinent
to say they are incorrect; here the reader should distinguish between
the writer, and the painter: my business is Painting: if I have suc-
ceeded tolerably well in that character, the public has no reason to
complain. Such as it is, and such as my abilities, and the propor-
tion of time, and application I have thought it reasonable for me
to bellow has enabled me to make it, I now offer it to the world,
though I was not resolved so to do when I began to write. I re-
member to have heard a story which (like others told on such occa-
sions) is not to be too striHly applied, however the reader may do
as he thinks fit. A man of quality, Sir Peter Lely's intimate friend,
was pleased to say to him one day, for God's sake, Sir Peter, how
came you to have so great a reputation ? you know I know you
are no painter.——My Lord, I know I am not, but I am the best
you have.

THE