A Bibliographical, Antiquarian and Picturesque Tour in France and Germany, Volume Two

This will remind you of Jervas’s celebrated piece of nonsensical flattery to himself—­when, on Pope’s complimenting that artist upon one of his portraits, he compassionately exclaimed “Poor little Tit!” Surely all these national prejudices are as unwise as they are disgusting. Of Gerard, I would wish to speak with respect; but an artist, who receives from fifteen to twenty thousand francs for the painting of a whole length portrait, stands upon an eminence which exposes him to the observation of every man. In the same degree, also, does his elevation provoke the criticism of every man.