easily imbecility
and selfishness may pervert this most innocent of all arts to the vilest
purposes. He may be allowed also to disclaim an opinion too generally
prevalent; namely, that envy and detraction are the natural offspring of
the art. That Artists should possess a portion of these vices, in common
with Poets, Musicians, and other candidates for fame, is reasonably to be
expected; but that they should exclusively monopolise them, or even hold
an undue proportion, 'twere ungenerous to suppose. The Author has known
Artists in various countries; and can truly say, that, with a very few
exceptions, he has found them candid and liberal; prompt to discover
merit, and just in applauding it. If there have been exceptions, he has
also generally been able to trace their cause to the unpropitious
coincidence of narrow circumstances, a defective education, and poverty of
intellect. Is it then surprising, that in the hands of such a triumvirate
the art should be degraded to an imposture, to the trick of a juggler? but
it surely would be a cause of wonder, if, with such leprous members, the
sound and respectable body of its professors should escape the suspicion
of partaking their contamination.

[3] "Who breaks a butterfly upon a wheel?" Pope.

[4] The Author having no revenge to gratify, and consequently no pleasure
in giving pain, has purposely excluded the Works of all living Artists
from this Gallery.

[5] To those who are conversant with the Works of the Old Masters this
piece of anachronism will hardly appear exaggerated.

[6] Fra. Bartolomeo.

[7] See Boswell's Life of Johnson.

[8] This and the two following ballads were written at a very early age,
and have already appeared in some of the Periodical Works of their day.

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Sylphs of the Season with Other
Poems, by Washington Allston

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