ftudy, whilft thofe of a threfher or bricklayer are admired, because coming from their hands. At the fame time, it is no fmall reflection on thofe who should fupport letters, that their patronage is bestowed on fuch understandings, and denied to men of true merit. This encouragement has already robb'd the world of two useful men to make two useless ones; and who knows where it may end? Humanity would be apt to conceive that this arifes from want of tafte, not diftinguishing what true merit is, and malice from a mean jealousy which will not encourage it.

In every kind of work, the excellency of the workman in general is not confider'd here, as in France and Italy; the common artist is paid almost as well as the beft, and what can only be accomplish'd by one in a million, is as little esteemed, as that which can be performed by one in ten.

For this reafon it is that the most exquifite works in graving, sculpture, and painting, can with difficulty be brought to the highest perfection in London. An artist must ftarve if he waited to give his pieces the last finishings; he gets as much money by doing well, as if he excel

led

led all the world; whereas in France and Italy, he would be paid any price for that which no other could do, and not half what he receives in England for executing what he perform'd only as well as many other artists. This is therefore the land at prefent for mediocrity in all things, and exclufion of excellency in any.

IN what I have faid, there is not one word to be applied to the mechanic inftruments of use; they are finished to a degree of perfection, that is not to be seen in any other country: Utility is the reigning idea of all that is done here, and taste in that of Paris; for which reafon England has the trade in one kind, and France in the other. And tho', a fine imagination may not be fo much pleafed with the English as the French productions; yet commodity makes a good amends for a fmall deficiency in figure; and not one in twenty, but is better pleased with the polish and tinge, than with the defign of the whole performance. All fee, but few have any taste.

In all objects which are offered to the eye, the French have an elegance and tafte which is much beyond that of England, and the English finish the French defigns better than their own

work

workmen Ornaments in diamonds are much better difpofed at Paris than London, and the fetting much better in this city than in France.

ONE refpects the elegant fancy, and the other the elegant hand of the jeweller; and thus in moft kinds of manufactures, the defigns of France fhould be combined with the execution of England, to make a production perfect.

FROM what has been faid you may be inclined to believe, that, as taste and defign are the effects of genius, and elegant finishing the confequence of patience and a mechanic hand the French furpass the English in genius: this is by no means true, I believe; and my next fhall bring you the reafons. Adieu,

I am yours affectionately.

LET

LETTER XXXIII.

To the Reverend Father PHILIPPO LAURA, at Rome.

Dear Sir,

THE

HE gentlemen of no nation in Europe travel fo much, as thofe of this kingdom, into foreign countries. A man that has not feen Italy is fcarce polite company in London: Eyen Palmyra, hid in deferts, could not fave her ruins from the examination of English travellers.

Two gentlemen have vifited that place, accompanied with another who understood architecture and drawing; in confequence of which, they have given to the public the ruins of that ancient city, in feveral 'well executed prints; and an account of its former and prefent ftate, as far as can be drawn from hiftory; and those remains, in the moft pleafing manner, written with exquifite tafte and modefty. It has been the particular honor of England, to have fome of their nobility and gentry in private stations,

VOL. II.

E

ftations, to perform undertakings, worthy the royal encouragement; and its peculiar difgrace to have had their minifters negligent in every thing, that may do honor and bring utility to the public.

T

No nation is at fo much expence to vifit the works of art, which other kingdoms have produced, as this of England. Italy has received more money from the gentlemen of England, for feeing the paintings of the Italian fchools, than they originally coft from the hands of the painters; probably more than a hundred times that fum; to fay nothing of that vast number of paintings, which has been fold to this and other nations. It is really equal to an eftate or tax levied on England, and may not unjustly be call'd Peter's-pence; it brings vaft fums into Rome annually, not to mention that opportunity which our painters have, from copying the works of their predeceffors, and felling them for originals to the connoiffeurs of all nations.

C

WHAT shall we say, after having feen with what avidity they vifit all these prodigies of genius in arts and sculpture, at Rome and other

cities,