The publication of this book has been delayed by What seemed to me vexatious accident, or (on my own part) unaccountable slowness in work: but the delay thus enforced has enabled me to bring the whole into a form which I do not think there will be any reason after wards to modify in any important particular, containing a system of instruction in art generally applicable in the education Of gentlemen; and securely elementary in that of professional artists. It has been made as simple as I can in expression, and is specially addressed, in the main teaching of it, to young people (extending the range of that term to include students in our universities); and it will be SO addressed to them, that if they have not the advantage of being near a master, they may teach them selves, by careful reading, what is essential to their progress. But I have added always to such initial princi ples, those which it is desirable to state for the guidance of advanced scholars, or the explanation of the practice Of exemplary masters.