Part 12 (2/2)

”In Painting it is far better to have a _model_ even to _depart_ from, than to have nothing fixed and certain to determine the idea: There is something then to proceed on, something to be corrected; so that even supposing that no part is taken, the model has still been not without use.

”Such habits of intercourse with nature, will at least create that _variety_ which will prevent any one's prognosticating what manner of work is to be produced, on knowing the subject, which is the most disagreeable character an Artist can have.”

_Sir Joshua Reynolds's Notes on Fresnoy._

480.--ALBIN'S HOPEFUL.] _Filius ALBINI_

Albinus was said to be a rich Usurer. All that is necessary to explain this pa.s.sage to the English reader, is to observe, that _the Roman Pound consisted of Twelve Ounces._

487.--_Worthy the _Cedar _and the_ Cypress.]

The antients, for the better preservation of their ma.n.u.scripts, rubbed them with the juice of _Cedar,_ and kept them in cases of _Cypress._

496.--Shall Lamia in our sight her sons devour, and give them back alive the self-same hour?]

_Neu pranse Lamiae vivum puerum extrabat alvo._

Alluding most probably to some Drama of the time, exhibiting so monstrous and horrible an incident.

503.--The Sosii] Roman booksellers.

523.--Chaerilus.]

A wretched poet, who celebrated the actions, and was distinguished by the patronage, of Alexander.

527.--If Homer seem to nod, or chance to dream.]

It may not be disagreeable to the reader to see what two poets of our own country have said on this subject.

--foul descriptions are offensive still, either for being _like,_ or being _ill._ For who, without a qualm, hath ever look'd on holy garbage, tho' by Homer cook'd?

Whose railing heroes, and whose wounded G.o.ds, make some suspect he snores, as well as nods.

But I offend--Virgil begins to frown, And Horace looks with indignation down: My blus.h.i.+ng Muse with conscious fear retires, and whom they like, implicitly admires.

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