But, whilst diligence is thus recommended to the students, the visitors
will take care that their diligence be effectual; that it be well
directed and employed on the proper object. A student is not always
advancing because he is employed; he must apply his strength to that part
of the art where the real difficulties lie; to that part which
distinguishes it as a liberal art, and not by mistaken industry lose his
time in that which is merely ornamental. The students, instead of vying
with each other which shall have the readiest band, should be taught to
contend who shall have the purest and most correct outline, instead of
striving which shall produce the brightest tint, or, curiously trifling
endeavour to give the gloss of stuffs so as to appear real, let their
ambition be directed to contend which shall dispose his drapery in the
most graceful folds, which shall give the most grace and dignity to the
human figure.

I must beg leave to submit one thing more to the consideration of the
visitors, which appears to me a matter of very great consequence, and the
omission of which I think a principal defect in the method of education
pursued in all the academies I have ever visited. The error I mean is,
that the students never draw exactly from the living models which they
have before them. It is not indeed their intention, nor are they
directed to do it. Their drawings resemble the model only in the
attitude. They change the form according to their vague and uncertain
ideas of beauty, and make a drawing rather of what they think the figure
ought to be than of what it appears. I have thought this the obstacle
that has stopped the progress of many young men of real genius; and I
very much doubt whether a habit of drawing correctly what we see will not
give a proportionable power of drawing correctly what we imagine. He who
endeavours to copy nicely the figure before him not only acquires a habit
of exactness and precision, but is continually advancing in his knowledge