nothing that could lead you to the imitation of any living master, who
may be the fashionable darling of the day. As you have not been taught
to flatter us, do not learn to flatter yourselves. We have endeavoured
to lead you to the admiration of nothing but what is truly admirable. If
you choose inferior patterns, or if you make your own _former_ works,
your patterns for your _latter_, it is your own fault.

The purpose of this discourse, and, indeed, of most of my others, is to
caution you against that false opinion, but too prevalent amongst
artists, of the imaginary power of native genius, and its sufficiency in
great works. This opinion, according to the temper of mind it meets
with, almost always produces, either a vain confidence, or a sluggish
despair, both equally fatal to all proficiency.

Study, therefore, the great works of the great masters for ever. Study
as nearly as you can, in the order, in the manner, on the principles, on
which they studied. Study nature attentively, but always with those
masters in your company; consider them as models which you are to
imitate, and at the same time as rivals which you are to combat.



A DISCOURSE
Delivered to the Students of the Royal Academy on the Distribution of the
Prizes, December 10th, 1776, by the President.


Gentlemen,--It has been my uniform endeavour, since I first addressed you
from this place, to impress you strongly with one ruling idea. I wished
you to be persuaded, that success in your art depends almost entirely on