other. 'It might happen,' says he, 'that the enemy to be opposed might
come on drawn up in regular lines, or in a tumultuous body, formed only
by the nature of the place.' He then considered a little what ground he
should take; what number of soldiers he should use, and what arms he
should give them; where he should lodge his carriages, his baggage, and
the defenceless followers of his camp; how many guards, and of what kind,
he should send to defend them; and whether it would be better to press
forward along the pass, or recover by retreat his former station: he
would consider likewise where his camp could most commodiously be formed;
how much ground he should enclose within his trenches; where he should
have the convenience of water; and where he might find plenty of wood and
forage; and when he should break up his camp on the following day,
through what road he could most safely pass, and in what form he should
dispose his troops. With such thoughts and disquisitions he had from his
early years so exercised his mind, that on these occasions nothing could
happen which he had not been already accustomed to consider."

I cannot help imagining that I see a promising young painter, equally
vigilant, whether at home, or abroad in the streets, or in the fields.
Every object that presents itself is to him a lesson. He regards all
nature with a view to his profession; and combines her beauties, or
corrects her defects. He examines the countenance of men under the
influence of passion; and often catches the most pleasing hints from
subjects of turbulence or deformity. Even bad pictures themselves supply
him with useful documents; and, as Leonardo da Vinci has observed, he
improves upon the fanciful images that are sometimes seen in the fire, or
are accidentally sketched upon a discoloured wall.

The artist who has his mind thus filled with ideas, and his hand made
expert by practice, works with ease and readiness; whilst he who would