[And yet, as we shall see later on, human injustice so discouraged him that he dropped the brush forever.] "The more I study it, the greater I think is its claim to the appellation of '_divine_' and I never shall be able sufficiently to show my gratitude to my parents for their indulgence in so greatly enabling me to pursue that profession, without which I am sure I would be miserable.

If ever it is my destiny to become great and worthy of a biographical memoir, my biographer will never be able to charge upon my parents that bigoted attachment to any individual profession, the exercise of which spirit by parents toward their children has been the ruin of some of the greatest geniuses; and the biography of men of genius has too often contained that reflection on their parents.

If ever the contrary spirit was evident, it has certainly been shown by my parents towards me.

Indeed, they have been almost too indulgent; they have watched every change of my capricious inclinations, and seem to have made it an object to study them with the greatest fondness.

But I think they will say that, when my desire for change did cease, it always settled on painting.
"I hope that one day my success in my profession will reward you, in some measure, for the trouble and inconvenience I have so long put you to.
"I am now going to begin a picture of the death of Hercules from this figure, as large as life.