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fol. 31r [fol. 30v, NG letter] 'Of Ideas of Truth … Beauty and Relation' (Pt II, Sn I, Ch I) (3.138-39)
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judge - yet with respect to <this first end of art> the representation of facts
it is <open to> {possible for} all - by care and attention - to form a <just> {right}
judgment of
the respective powers and attainments of all <artists> {<men>} {painters}. <It does not {<The bar of> truth}
require> is a bar {<from>} of comparison to which they may all be brought
5 and at which they may all be examined - <by> and according to the
rank they take in this examination - will . <almost> invariably - be that
which - <even> if capable of appreciating them in every respect. we should
be just in assigning them . so strict is the. connection - so constant the
relation - between * the sum of Knowledge - and the extent of thought .
10 between accuracy of perception , and vividness of idea .
#29#< I shall therefore . in the first part of this work . endeavour to <show> {show}
<demonstrate
as far as I know . and> {as far as I}{<as>} am able . <the> how the truth of nature
is to be ascertained
and as far as I know . what it is . and then <to> I will draw the
closest comparison which my limits permit - between those landscape
15 painters with whose works I am acquainted. and that one .who is
supposed by ^ {certainly} the majority of the public . to paint more falsehood. &
less fact than any other man who ever lived . We shall see with
what justice.
In the second part of the work I shall endeavour, as far as I think I
20 understand them . to explain the qualities . and powers of his mind .
and to institute such a comparison as the<y> subject admits of . between these -
and the faculties of the men who have until now . been considered the Fathers of
Landscape art . >
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MW