Page 26

                             PRIMAUY INSTRUC.TIONS.
the outline as distinctly as if drawn on paper, and as easy of imitation.
 He will not only have
a guide in drawing the sweep of the outline correctly, but, also, in marking
the true proportions
of the object.  He will find the line n produced by the thread, drawn, as
it Were, against the
pitcher, touching its lip and greatest circumference; while B and c~ in like
manner, serve to
show the relative proportion of the stand or base to the neck.  A~ corresponding
to D, gives him
something to go by, in producing the general form with relative regularity,
and marks the
variation, first seen where the handle begins.  It then serves to ascertain
the true form of the
handle, as well as to designate the place of its lower joining with the pitcher.
Thus, to show
the principle.  A thread and weight are not always at hand; and if they were,
they do not
t~erve as well as the instrument with which we draw.  Hold a pencil at arm's
length, look along
                                                       its outline, and in
like manner you may
                             I                         readily ascertain
the bearing, not only
                                                       of the perpendicular
lines, but of any
                                                       others you may desire,
either ror the
                                                       purpose of studying
your outline, or of
                                                       proving it after it
has been drawn.  You
can thus, m a measure, be your own master, and correct your own mistakes.
    You may not see
the practical draughtaman have recourse to such expedients; but, nevertheless,
he is governed by
the same principles.  He sees, at a glance, the relation of the parts to
one another.    Although
he does not draw the perpendicular lines, he sees that the swell of the largest
circumference of the
object before him extends no farther than a perpendicular line, drawn from
the lip, would touch.
He sees that where the base is united to the pitcher, it is just as wide
as at the neck.  He sees
the base is a little wider.  He marks. all these points; if not on his paper,
they are mentally
before him; and he produces, with apparent ease, a correct drawing of the
object, so just in
all its proportions, that a potter shall produce a fac-simile of the pitcher,
from the drawing.
Such facility any one of ordinary capacity may acquire, who will take the
pains and study
reguired.
  31. Let it not be understood, in saying this, that every one can learn
to draw like Michael
Angelo, or compose with the grace and charm of Raphael, any more than he
who writes with
grammatical accuracy, can, therefore, write like Shakespeare.  There is a
barrier that none can
pass, who are not the gifted children of genius.  Such men may have shone
less brilliant in the
first steps of that knowledge, by means, of which they achieved their greatness,
than~manya
school-fellow -