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A N

ESSAY

On the ART of

CRITICISM, &c.

H

OW little do we know what we fhall do next! We are push'd on to Action by our Wills, ex

cited by the determination of our Understandings upon a view of the prefent Sett of Ideas; but Thefe changing perpetually, from the Impreffion made upon our Senfes

B

by

by external Objects; from the Nature of our Bodies confifting of Fluids and Solids,fubject to continual Alterations, and influencing our Minds; from the Inspirations, or Suggestions of higher Agents, or from whatever other Caufes, Neceffary, or Contingent, a new Determination, a new Will, another Action takes place. Behold the fecret Refforts which put us all in motion, from the greatest Captain, or States-man, down to the most inconfiderable Trifler ; and in the moft Minute, as well as in the most Important; in our Mental, as well as Corporeal, Voluntary Actions, tho' oftentimes they operate with the utmost Rapidity that even Thought it felf is capable of. When I publish'd my former Treatife I thought I had done enough this way, and might dedicate my remaining

Hours

Hours of neceffary Vacation from the Business of my Profeffion, (in which I believe few of my Cotemporaries, or Predeceffors ever employ'd more) to fome lefs Studious and more Active Amusement than Writing; But a new Sett of Involuntary Ideas has produced another Determination, which has excited another Will, and I am once more an Author.

I have been often ask'd how we know the Hands of the feveral Masters, and diftinguish Copies from Originals; and was perIwaded, a fatisfactory Answer to these Questions would be very acceptable to moft Gentlemen, as well as to those particular Enquirers; To gratify the Publick therefore, together with fuch of my own Friends, I was determin'd to take This way of answering them all at once, and that more Fully, B 2 and

and Accurately than could poffibly have been done Off-hand, and in the time I could have beftow'd in making Particular Anfwers; This morcover,together with what elfe I fhall add in this Discourse, I faw would Compleat what I had to offer on the Subject I had already given the World fome of my Thoughts upon.

I might have excused my self, upon account of that Business in the way of my Profeffion, in which I am conftantly engaged; and 'tis a Plea which, I believe every one that knows me will be ready to make for me; but there are fome Hours, especially in the Winter-Seafon, not fit for Painting; nor can a Man always have his Pencil in his Hand in the long Days of Summer. These Portions of Time well husbanded by Temperance, and Prudence,

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