at, besides
the uses of drawing already mentioned, there is one which, though not
so obvious, is yet perhaps of more consequence than all that has been
hitherto urged; I mean the strength and distinguishing power it adds
to some of our faculties. This appears from hence, that those who are
used to draw objects observe them with more accuracy than others who
are not habituated to that practice. For we may easily find, by a
little experience, that when we view any object, however simple, our
attention or memory is scarcely at any time so strong as to enable us,
when we have turned our eyes away from it, to recollect exactly every
part it consisted of, and to recall all the circular stances of its
appearance; since, on examination, it will be discovered, that in some
we were mistaken, and others we had totally overlooked. But he who is
accustomed to draw what he sees, is, at the same time, accustomed to
rectify this inattention; for, by confronting his ideas, copied on
the paper, with the object he intends to represent, he finds out
what circumstance has deceived him in its appearance; and hence he at
length acquires the habit of observing much more at one view than he
could ever have done without his practice and proficiency in drawing.

If what has been said merits the attention of travellers of all sorts,
it is, I think, more particularly applicable to the gentlemen of the
navy, since, without drawing and planning, neither charts nor views of
land can be taken; and without these it is sufficiently evident that
navigation is at a full stand. It is doubtless from a persuasion of
the utility of these qualifications, that his majesty has established
a drawing-master at Portsmouth, for the instruction of those who are
presumed to be hereafter entrusted with the command of his royal
navy; and though some have been so far misled as to suppose that the
perfection of sea officers consisted in a turn of mind and temper
resembling the boisterous element they have to deal with, and have
condemned all literature and science, as effeminate and derogatory
to that ferocity, which, they would falsely persuade us, was the most
unerring characteristic of courage, yet it is to be hoped that
such absurdities have not at any time been authorized by the public
opinion, and that the belief daily diminishes. If those who adhere
to these mischievous positions were capable of being influenced by
reason, or swayed by example, I should think it suf