PREFACE.

The names of so many persons, artists, amateurs, literati, and
even grave divines, well known for their taste and true love
of art. appearing attached to the letter on a preceding page,
will sufficiently account for the present exhibition, and ren¬
der any apology for it absurd.

For the introduction into it, however, of several crude first
efforts, some excuse is due.

The Committee of Arrangement, whose initials only are
allowed to appear, must bear whatever censure the critical
may be inclined to inflict on me for this. While I express
my great obligations to them for the refined taste and judg¬
ment with which they have arranged the pictures on the
walls, and unfeigned gratitude for their lively zeal and en¬
couraging co-operation in the conduct of the whole matter,
I am yet fearful lest the warm personal friendship under whose
influence they have acted, may have blinded their judgment,
and that, through too much tenderness for my weak points,
they may have placed some works in the collection at which
the fastidious may be inclined to sneer. The early blunder¬
ing attempts of beginners in art, are not indeed as painful as
those of musical performers; or as insipid as the stammerings
of incipient poets. The lamest gropings of a young painter
are often amusing, and sometimes show what Inman used to
call "good intentions." In one respect, the first charcoal
outlines by a boy, resemble the highest efforts of a great