When nations grow old the Arts grow coldAnd commerce settles on every tree

Art is the Tree of Life, Science is the Tree of Death.

The following Discourse [on art, by Sir Joshua Reynolds] is particularly Interesting to Blockheads as it endeavours to prove that There is No such thing as Inspiration & that any Man of a plain Understanding may by Thieving from Others become a Mich Angelo.

Praise is the practice of Art.

When Sir Joshua Reynolds died All Nature was degraded

I must create a system or be enslaved by another mans; I will not reason and compare: my business is to create.

Harmony of colouring is destructive of art? it is like the smile of a fool.

Where there is money there is no art.

O Rose, thou art sick! The invisible worm, That flies in the night, In the howling storm, Has found out thy bed Of crimson joy; And his dark secret love Does thy life destroy