82 
with but few in whom he found any disposi- 
tion congenial to his own; and -the eleven months 
which he 
buted less 
passed 
to the 
there, in consequence, contri- 
improvement of his mind than 
might have been expected from a city so Hou- 
rishing. Still, the time was not altogether barren 
of ocqurrences which tended to advance his pro- 
gress in his art, independent of the advantage 
arising from constant practice. 
He 
happened, 
there, 
during his residence 
to 
see 
3 
beautiful 
Flemish 
picture 
of 
hermit 
praying 
before 
lamP' 
and 
he 
W38 
resolved 
to 
paint a companion to it, of a man reading by 
candle light. But before he discovered a method 
an effect on 
in day-light, 
of producing, 
his model 
similar 
to what he wished to imitate, 
he was fre- 
quently bafHed in his attempts. At length, he 
hit on the expedient of persuading his landlord to 
sit with an open book before a candle in a dark 
closet; and he found 'that, by looking in upon 
him from his study, the appearance was exactly 
what he wished for. In the schools and acade- 
mies of Europe, 
thods by which 
tradition. has preserved 
all the magical effects 
the me- 
of light