Smith, John: A catalogue raisonné of the works of the most eminent Dutch, Flemish, and French painters: in which is included a short biographical notice of the artists, with a copious description of their principal pictures : a statement of the prices at which such pictures have been sold at public sales on the continent and in England; a reference the the galleries and private collections in which a large portion are at present; and the names of the artists by whom they have been engraved; to which is added, a brief notice of the scholars & imitators of the great masters of the above schools (Part 1) (London: Smith and Son, 1829)

OBSERVATIONS.

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of 11 ssorins; this is perhaps taken at too low a rate, but it has
happened that the writer has received no more than that sum
for a pound sterling, and it has, in unfavourable times, been
even less; so that with the addition of percent, opgelt,
which purchasers are compelled to pay upon the general
amount of their lots, and the incidental expenses attending
sales, this valuation will not be found very far from the mark :
but in these inquiries, those who wish to be quite accurate, can
calculate for themselves.
It sometimes happens that Pictures suffer alteration, objec-
tionable parts are expunged, or additions made, either by the
introduction of figures, animals, or inanimate objects, according
to the conceit of the owner, or the presumption of the artist who
mav happen to be engaged to clean and restore them.
It may be proper to observe, that Prints do not always
correctly correspond with the Pictures from which they are
taken: the engraver will frequently leave out parts, make ad-
ditions, or alter, as may best assist the effect of the Print, or
suit the caprice of himself or of others. The relative pro-
portions are also very frequently changed.
When describing a Picture, the writer has considered the
right and left of it to be the reverse to the hands of the spec-
tators; but this rule will be found so frequently falsified,
arising from the incorrectness of the writers of catalogues, and
the various descriptions taken from old Prints, that it must not
be depended upon as a certain guide.
Before concluding the introduction, the author begs particu-
larly to observe, that he has scrupulously abstained from
observations upon Pictures which might tend to injure their
value, and thereby occasion a loss to the individual holders of
them; but he does not feel that the same forbearance is
necessary with respect to Pictures in public galleries; the latter
are open to fair criticism, and the writer has not hesitated to
make remarks upon them whenever he thought they would
conduce to the information of the amateur.
To conclude; he feels that he would be guilty of a serious