ART OF DRAWING.
[Continued from Page 217, Vol. III.]

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CAN we then expect a learner to copy! We knew a master once whose instructions such a picture with any facility or satisfaction probably were the most concise ever given to a who does not yet know how to represent pro- scholar. When this master gave his pupil au perly any one of the parts? When told that example, the excellence of which this is not this is a simple and easy subject, will not the || the place to investigate, to every interrogation many difficulties opposing his progress disgust || how this or that part was to be done, this was him with the pursuit altogether? If he pos- the laconic answer, «Copy.""~" But how, sesses vivacity and patience, he may produce a Sir?"" Make yours like that." A mode of resemblance of his example; but it is next to instruction thus, if so it may be called, which, impossible that he should gain much, if any, || though certainly right as it explicitly declared aseful knowledge in this way. He may be what was to be done, will be generally admitcompared to a schoolboy, who learns the Latin || ted to leave rather too much to the ingenuitý grammar in a language he does not under- of the scholar as to the quo modo. As to touchstand, and is as ignorant of the rules when he ing the pupil's drawings, that was a circumhas with great pains got them by heart as be- stance this master totally disapproved; he fore he dipped into propria que maribus. Nor came for instruction, not to have drawings is it possible for the master to infuse all the made for him. On this last head I knew aurequisite information at once into the pupil, other instance at a respectable school in the who, if this method is preferred, must long metropolis of England, the improvement of continue to pore in the dark, to remain in par- the pupils was observed to be at first remarktial ignorance, and to work with accumulated|ably rapid, and afterwards exceedingly uni difficulty. On the contrary, by studying at form; their drawings never were extraordiGrst the least complex, and therefore the most nary, but they seemed all to be done by the easy forms, proceeding from such to those same hand; time brought to light the mystethat are more intricate and difficult, the pupil ||rious cause; the master, dissatisfied continuwill receive fresh entertainment and improve- || ally with the efforts of the scholars when they ment from every succeeding lesson. had half spoiled the paper, rubbed them all

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scholar must assiduously copy drawings for a considerable time before he can draw after nature, much less attempt to compose from his own imagination. In the commencement of this pursuit care should be taken to give such examples only as the pupil can imitate with the materials placed in his hands; the first instrument to be used, and which is universally useful, is the black lead pencil. At first then, place before him drawings made with a black lead pencil; "he cannot with a pencil imitate at all to his satisfaction a print or a drawing made with any other materials; nothing can be so discouraging to youth as to find themselves extremely disappointed, after taking infinite pains, by their work being so extremely dissimilar from the original except in the forms. It is a lamentable practice with many teachers who have more scholars than they can supply with drawings, to set prints before their pupils, which the more pains they bestow

The knowledge thus acquired will be inde-out, and as well as he could made all the draw lible; continual advantage will arise from ap-ings himself. It is evident then that the plying it to practice; and as every trial will prove the truth and utility of each rule, the exercise of the pencil will become every day more delightful. Let us then proceed in that method which, it is presumed, will not fatigue || the youthful mind with perplexing difficulties | at every step; let us begin with such principles as are easy to comprehend, and obvi- || ously just; which will therefore, if duly at tended to, prepare the mind to receive the most important and interesting intelligence; which will direct the eye and guide the hand to correctness, freedom, and masterly execution. Written directions lay down these general rules; their application to practice must be carefully pointed out as opportunity offers, occasionally correcting the youth's performance, or shewing him, with your own hand, how any particular part is executed, not on his drawing, if it can be avoided, but on a se. parate piece, and continually superintending the first efforts, to preserve strictly that rega-to copy the more they inevitably deviate from Jarity of procedure which will soon become babitual, and which will abridge the trouble at least one half.

every thing like the execution of an artist; and when, after all, the drawing is completely nished, it is only a good deal worse than the

print, which possibly never was good for any tion-post, a watch box, an hovel, or an out thing. The outline is the first thing to be house, if represented with a just effect of light attended to and acquired; correctuess herein and shade, will probably attract his attention, is most requisite, and indeed indispensable in by the truth of the resemblance, and engage almost every species of drawing; glaring in- his attempt to copy them by the facility with correctness will instantly offend in the finest which it appears they may be done. Such picture; it is not however necessary, particu- || simple subjects as these may be preferred, be larly in landscapes, that this accuracy should cause they require less nicety of execution aim at mathematical precision, or descend to to represent them properly than buildings a minute detail of subordinate parts; with a even of the very same forms; such as a sumdue attention to the general relative propor- mer-house, an obelisk, a garden-temple, az tions the eye will be satisfied. To attain just Italian villa, or an English cottage: and they ideas of proportion, the student cannot bestow are capable of conveying useful ideas upon the too much attention; he should be continually general properties of lines, which will be sketching from large and simple examples, by || readily applied, as the hand attains prodrawing repeatedly the same subject till tho || ficiency, to those objects the principal subjects rough master of that one before he attempts || of picturesque delineation. It may be appreany other.

It was formerly the general practice to make the scholar begin with straight and other lines, in various directions; perpendicular, horizon- || tal, and sloping; theu to join them into squares, triangles, and irregular figures; afterwards to form circles, ovals, and other curved shapes. Certain it is that these are the ele ments of figures, that all objects are bounded by one or other of these lines; and as no object can be represented without the assistance of lines, to draw them by a full command of hand, with accuracy and spirit, is greatly desirable; but to begin with simple lines, the use of which is not obvious to the learner, has been experienced to create disgust towards an art, apparently in the outset, difficult and tedious, dry and unentertaining this method, therefore, is but seldom adapted However, when by the pleasure he receives, the student is thoroughly engaged in the pursuit, he will naturally wish to produce something more perfect than a childish sketch; he will see and feel the necessity of reverting to those first elements of forms, aud he will not find the time misapplied which he must bestow in bringing his haud to execute them with facility and precision, and his mind to comprehead the proportions and relations.

The least deviation from the ancient method will probably be found most conducive to the improvement and entertainment of the youthfal student; to execute his imitative powers upon simple, obvious, and well known forms, innumerable variety of which present themselves for our choice at every step we take in town or country, his efforts may be first engaged on these objects which are composed only on straight lines: a mile-stone, direc

hended that the pupil will find considerable these first rude and truly simple figures and amusement in tracing the conformity between those more elegant, but not more complete embellishments of landscape. And here it is to be remarked, that if the student wishes to || acquire freedom of execution and an accurate and compass; his eye must learn to divide eye, he must give to the mechanic the rule rected only by his eye, to draw the lines accuand proportion the work; and his hand, dirately in whatever direction the object requires. Rules and practice may enable him to attain the rule and compasses assuredly will not. correctness without a stiff formality, which lighted at the improvement of his hand and The student will be at once surprised and dejudgment, from a little attentive practice apon principles, without the fetters and shackles of

mathematical instruments.

To lay down all the rules for drawing regular form, is beyond the scope of this essay; to ba ing, of a beautiful prospect, of any curious able on the spot to take the sketch of a buildproduction of art, or uncommon appearance plishment, but a most agreeable amusement in nature, is not only a very desirable accomto the student advanced thus far in this pleas rivers, cataracts, cities, towns, castles, bouses, ing art; rocks, mountains, fields, woods, fortifications, ruins, or whatever else may present itself to view on our journey or travels brought home, and preserved for our future in our own or foreign countries, may be thus use either in business or conversation. On this part, therefore, more than ordinary attention, should be bestowed.

[To be concluded in our next》

To speak the rest, who better are forgot,
Would tire a well-breath'd witness of the plot.
Yet, Corah, thou shalt from oblivion pass;
Erect thyself, thou monumental brass,
High as the serpent of thy metal made,
While nations stand secure beneath thy shade.
What though his birth were base yet comets
rise

From earthly vapours ere they shine in skies.
Prodigions actions may as well be doue
By weaver's issue, as by prince's son.
This arch attestor of the public good,
By that one deed, ennobles all his blood.
Who ever ask'd the witness's high race,
Whose oath with martyrdom did Stephen
grace?

Ours was a Levite; and, as times went then,
His tribe were God Almighty's gentlemen.
Sauk were his eyes, his voice was harsh and
loud:

Sure signs be neither choleric was nor proud:
His long chin prov'd his wit; his saint-like
grace

A church vermilion, and a Moses' face.
His memory, miraculously great,
Could plots, exceeding man's belief repeat;
Which therefore cannot be accounted lies,
For human wit could never such devise.
Some future truths are mingled in his book;
But where the witness fail'd, the prophet.
spoke;

Some things like visionary flights appear;
The spirit caught him up the Lord knows
where;

And gave him his rabinical degree,
Unknown to foreign university.
His judgment yet his memory did excel;
Which pierc'd his wond'rous evidence so well,
And suited to the temper of the times,
Then groaning under Jebusitic crimes.
Let Israel's foes suspect his heavenly call,
And rashly judge his writ apochryphal;
Our laws for such affronts have forfeits made:
He takes his life who takes away his trade.
Were I myself in witness Corah's place,
The wretch who did me such a dire disgrace
Should whet my memory, though once forgot,
To make him an appendix of my plot.
His zeal to Heaven made him his prince de-
spise,

And load his person with indignities.
But zeal peculiar privilege affords,
Indulging latitude to deeds and words:
And Corah might for Agag's murder call,
In terms as coarse as Samuel did to Saul.
What others in his evidence did join,
The best that could be had for love or coin,
In Corah's own predicament will fall;
For Witness is a common name for all.

Surrounded thus with friends of ev'ry sort,
Deluded Absalom forsakes the court:
Impatient of high hope, urg'd with renown,
And fir'd with near possession of a crown,
Th' admiring crowd are dazzled with surprise,
And on his goodly person feed their eyes.
His joy conceal'd, he sets himself to show;
On each side bowing popularly low:
His looks, bis gestures, and his words he
frames,

And with familiar ease repeats their names.
Thus formed by nature, furnish'd out with
arts,

He glides unfelt into their secret hearts.
Then with a kind compassionating look,
And sighs, bespeaking pity ere he spoke,
Few words he said; but easy those and fit,
More slow than Hybla-drops, and far more

sweet.

I mourn, my countrymen, your lost estate;
Though far unable to prevent your fate;
Behold a banish'd man, for your dear cause
Expos'd a prey to arbitrary laws!

Yet oh! that I alone could be undone,
Cut off from empire, and no more a son!
Now all your liberties a spoil are made;
Egypt and Tyrus intercept your trade,
And Jebusites your sacred right invade.
My father, whom with rev'rence yet I name,
Charm'd into ease, is careless of his fame;
And brib'd with petty sums of foreign gold,
Is grown in Bethsheba's embraces old;
Exalts his enemies, his friends destroys;
And all his power against himself employs.
He gives, and let him give my right away:
But why should he his own and yours betray?
He, only he, can make the nation bleed,
And he alone from my revenge is freed.
Take then my tears (with that he wip'd his
eyes),

'Tis all the aid my present pow'r supplies:
No court-informer can these arins accuse;
These arms may sons against their fathers use:
And 'tis my wish the next successor's reign
May make no other Israelite complain.

Youth, beauty, graceful action, seldom fail;
But common int'rest always will prevail;
And pity never ceases to be shown
To him who makes the people's wrongs his
[press,

own,

The crowd, that still believe their kings op-
With lifted hands their young Messiah bless :
Who now begins his progress to ordain
With chariots, horsemen, and a numerous
train;

From east to west his glories he displays,
And like the sun, the promis'd land surveys.
Fame runs before him as the morning star,
And shouts of joy salute him from afar :

No. XLVI.—Continued from the Poetical part in No. 45.] S

Two names that always cheat and always But innovation is the blow of fate.

By sea, by land, thy matchless worth was

known,

Arms thy delight, and war was all thy own:
Thy force infus'd the fainting Tyrians propp'd ;
Aud haughty Pharaoh found his fortune
stopp'd.

Ob ancient honour! oh unconquer'd hand,
Whom foes unpunish'd never could withstand!
But Israel was unworthy of his name :
Short is the date of all immod'rate fame.
It looks as Heav'n our ruin had design'd,
Aud durst not trust toy fortune and thy mind.
Now, free from earth, thy disencumber'd soul
Mounts up and leaves behind the clouds and
[bring,||
starry pole:
From thence thy kindred legions may'st thou
To aid the guardian angel of thy king.
Here stop, my Muse, here cease thy painful
flight:

No pinions can pursue immortal height :
Tell good Barzillai thou canst sing no more,
And tell thy soul she should have fled before:
Or fled she wi h his life, and left this verse
To hang on her departed patron's hearse?
Now take thy steepy flight from Heaven and

see

If thou canst find on earth another he:
Another he would be too hard to find;
See then whom thou canst see not far behind.
Zadoc the priest, whom, shunning pow'r and
place,

His lowly mind advanc'd to David's grace.
With him the Sagan of Jerusalem,
Of hospitable soul, and noble stem;
Him of the western dome, whose weighty

sense

Flows in fit words and heavenly eloquence.
The prophet's sons, by such example led,
To learning and to loyalty were bred :
For colleges on bounteous kings depend ;
And never rebel was to arts a friend.
To these succeed the pillars of the laws;
Who best can plead, and best can judge a

cause.

Next them a train of loyal peers ascend;
Sharp judging Adriel, the Muse's friend,
Himself a Muse: in sanhedrim's debate
True to his prince, but not a slave of state;
Whom David's love with honours did adorn,
That from his disobedient sou were torn.
Jotham of piercing wit, and pregnant thought,
Endow'd by nature, and by learning taught,
To move assemblies, who but only tried
The worst a while, then chose the better
side:

Nor chose alone, but turn'd the balance too;
So much the weight of one brave man cau do.
Hushai, the friend of David in distress;
In public storms of manly stedfastness;

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By foreign treaties he inform'd his youth,
And join'd experience to his native truth.
His frugal care supplied the wanting throne:
Frugal for that, but bounteous of his own :
"Tis easy conduct when exchequers flow;
But hard the task to manage well the low:
For sov'reign pow'r is so depress'd or high,
When kings are forc'd to sell, or crowds to
buy.

Indulge one labour more, my weary Muse,
For Amiel who can Amiel's praise refuse?
Of ancient race by birth, but nobler yet
In his own worth, and without title great:
The sanhedrim long time as chief he rul'd,
Their reason guided, and their passion cool'd :
So dextrous was he in the crown's defence,
So form'd to speak a loyal nation's sense,
That, as their band was Israel's tribes in
small,

So fit was he to represent them all.
Now rasher charioteers the seat ascend,
Whose loose careers his steady skill commend:
They, like th' unequal ruler of the day,
Misguide the seasons, and mistake the way;
While he withdrawn at their mad labours
smiles,

And safe enjoys the sabbath of his toils.

These were the chief, a small but faithful

[stand,
band
Of worthies, in the breach who dar'd to
And tempt th' united fury of the land.
With grief they view'd such pow'rful engines
bent

To batter down the lawful government :
A numerous faction, with pretended frights,
In sanhedrims to plume the regal rights;.
The true successor from the court remov'd;
The plot by hireling witnesses improv'd.
These ills they saw, and, as their duty bound,
They shew'd the king the danger of the wound:
That no concessions from the crown would
please,

But lenitives fomented the disease:
That Absalom, ambitious of the crown,
Was made the lure to draw the people down:
That false Achitophel's pernicious hate
Had turn'd the plot to ruin church and