Page:Manners and customs of ye Englyshe.djvu/53



HIS Morning with my Wife to the Exhibition of the Royal Academy, where 611 Paintings, beſides Miniatures and other Drawings, and Pieces of Sculpture, making altogether 1341 Works of Art, and methought it would be ſtrange if there were not ſome Maſterpiece among vo many. The whole to be ſeen for the ſmall Sum of 1s., and the Catalogue coſt me 1s. more, but ſhould have known all the old Hands as well without it. To ſee how eaſy it is to diſtinguiſh them by their Styles after two or three Years' Experience: as one by his Dogs, that might be expected to bark, or to talk rather, with their Looks and Ways like human Creatures. Then another by his Colouring that do reſemble a Man of ſweet Omelet with all the Colours of the Rainbow and many more; which methinks is a Grange Fancy; but now he hath a Picture out of his trite Faſhion; done after the Manner of the antique Maſters, and a good Imitation. A third alio by his unadorned Beauties with their glowing Eyes and Cheeks and plump ſwarthy Fleſh, and a fourth by his never ending Perspectives, and Gulfs or Darkneſs, and Mountains of Blue. But this Year I do mark fewer of theſe old Acquaintances, and more of the Works of younger Men, wherein there is leſs of Knack and more of Freſhness, which I do eſteem a hopeful Sign. The Exhibition at large I judge to be a very excellent