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the same disadvantage. And if thou shouldst say: "I will follow my own inclination, I will with- draw into seclusion in order the better to study the forms of natural objects" — I say thou wilt with difficulty be able to do this, because thou wilt not be able to refrain from constantly listening to their chatter; and, not being able to serve two masters, thou wilt play the part of a companion ill, and still worse will be the evil effect on thy studies in art. And if thou say est : " I will withdraw myself, so that their words cannot reach and disturb me" — I, with regard to this, say thou wilt be regarded as a madman; but seest thou not that by so doing thou wilt be alone also?

47.

The mind of the painter must be like unto a mirror, which ever takes the colour of the objecft it reflects, and contains as many images as there are objedts before it. Therefore realize, O painter, that thou canst not succeed unless thou art the universal master of imitating by thy art every variety of nature's forms, and this thou canst not do save by perceiving them and retaining them in thy mind ; wherefore when thou walkest in the country let thy mind play on various objects, observe now this thing and now that thing, making a store of various objects selected and chosen from those of lesser value. And thou shalt not do as some painters, who, when weary of plying

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