Συγγένειαν τινα προς ποιητικήν εχειν ἡ τεχνη εὑρισκεται, και κοινη τις αμε
φοιν είναι φαντασία,

α λεγειν oi ποιηται εχεσι ταύτα εν τῷ γραμματι σημαίνεσα.

PHILOSTRATUS.

Patet omnibus Ars, nondum eft occupata, multum ex illâ etiam fu-
turis relictum eft.
SENEC. Epift. 33.

BY WILLIAM HAYLEY, ESQ.

THE THIRD EDITION, CORRECTED AND ENLARGED.

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR J. DODSLEY, IN PALL-MALL.

M.DCC.LXXXI.

EPISTLE

THE FIRST.

B

ARGUMENT

OF THE FIRST EPISTLE.

Introduction-The flourishing state of Art in this country— Disadvantages attending the modern Painter of Portraits —Short encomium on this branch of Art, with the account of its origin in the ftory of the Maid of Corinth-Superiority of Hiftorical Painting-Some account of the Greeks who excelled in it-Its deftruction and revival in Italy-Short account of the most eminent Italian and Spanish Painters— Thofe of Flanders and France-The corruption of Art among the latter.

то

то

MR. GEORGE ROMNEY.

EPISTLE I.

LYON

TILLE

B

LEST be the hour, when fav'ring gales reftore
The travell'd artift to his native fhore !

His mind enlighten'd, and his fancy fraught
With finest forms by ancient genius wrought;
Whose magic beauty charm'd, with spell sublime,
The scythe of Ruin from the hand of Time,
And mov'd the mighty leveller to spare

Models of grace so exquifitely fair.

you,

While whom Painting thus inspir'd to roam,
Bring these rich ftores of ripen'd judgment home;
While now, attending my accomplish'd friend,

Science and Tafte his foften'd colours blend;
Let the fond Mufe, tho' with a tranfient view,

The progress of her fifter art pursue;

B 2

5

Eager