m the sea. The emperor
Augustus carried this picture to Rome, and placed so high a value on it
that he lessened the tribute-money of the people of Kos a hundred talents
on account of it. This sum was about equal to one hundred thousand dollars
of our money.

The art of Apelles was full of grace and sweetness, and the finish of his
pictures was exquisite. The saying, "leave off in time," originated in his
criticism of Protogenes, of whom he said that he was his superior except
that he did not know when to leave off, and by too much finishing lessened
the effect of his work. Apelles was modest and generous: he was the first
to praise Protogenes, and conferred a great benefit upon the latter by
buying up his pictures, and giving out word that he was going to sell them
as his own. Apelles was never afraid to correct those who were ignorant,
and was equally ready to learn from any one who could teach him anything.
It is said that on one occasion, when Alexander was in his studio, and
talked of art, Apelles advised him to be silent lest his color-grinder
should laugh at him. Again, when he had painted a picture, and exposed it
to public view, a cobbler pointed out a defect in the shoe-latchet;
Apelles changed it, but when the man next proceeded to criticise the leg
of the figure, Apelles replied, "Cobbler, stick to your last." These
sayings have descended to our own day, and have become classical. All
these anecdotes from so remote a time are in a sense doubtful; but they
are very interesting--young people ought to be familiar with them, but it
is also right to say that they are not known to be positively true.

Protogenes of Rhodes, to whom Apelles was so friendly, came to be thought
a great painter. It is said that when Demetrius made war against Rhodes
the artist did not trouble himself to leave his house, which was in the
very midst of the enemy's camp. When questioned as to his fearlessness he
replied, "Demetrius makes war against the Rhodians, and not against the
Arts." It is also said that after hearing of this reply Demetrius
refrained from burning the town, in order to preserve the pictures of
Protogenes.

The ancient writers mention many other Greek painters, but none as
important as those of whom we have spoken. Greek painting never reached a
higher point than it had gained at the beginning of the Hellenistic age.
Every kind of painting except landscape-painting had been practised by
Greek artists; but that recei