17 
situation 
to 
imbibe 
the 
enthusiasm 
either 
of 
poetry or painting, if scenery and such acci- 
dental circumstances are to be regarded as every 
thing, and original character as nothing. But 
it may reasonably be doubted if ever natural 
scenery 
has 
any assignable 
influence on the pro- 
ductions of genius. The idea has probably Varisen 
from the impression which the magnificence of 
nature 
makes 
on 
persons 
of 
cultivated 
minds, 
who 
fall 
into 
the 
mistake 
of 
considering 
the 
elevated 
emotions 
arising 
in 
reality 
from 
their 
own 
with 
associations, as being naturally connected 
the objects that excite them. Of all the 
nations of Europe the Swiss are the least poetical, 
and yet the scenery of no other country seems 
so well calculated as that of Switzerland toawaken 
the imagination; and Shakespeare,.the greatest 
ofall modern Poets, was brought up in one of 
the least picturesque districts of England. 
Soon after the occurrence of 
the 
incident 
which 
has 
given 
rise 
to 
these 
observations, 
the 
young Artist was sent to a school in the neigh- 
bourhood. During his hours of leisure he_ was 
permitted 
to 
draw 
with 
pen and ink ; 
for it did