Table Talk Essays on Men and Manners

'There is a pleasure in painting which none but painters know. ' In writing, you have to contend with the world; in painting, you have only to carry on a friendly strife with Nature. You sit down to your task, and are happy. From the moment that you take up the pencil, and look Nature in the face, you are at peace with your own heart. No angry passions rise to disturb the silent progress of the work, to shake the hand, or dim the brow: no irritable humours are set afloat: you have no absurd opinions to combat, no point to strain, no adversary to crush, no fool to annoy— you are actuated by fear or favour to no man. There is 'no juggling here, ' no sophistry, no intrigue, no tampering with the evidence, no attempt to make black white, or white black: but you resign yourself into the hands of a greater power, that of Nature, with the simplicity of a child, and the devotion of an enthusiast— 'study with joy her manner, and with rapture taste her style. ' The mind is calm, and full at the same time. The hand and eye are equally employed