THE PRINCIPLES

We should never treat them with the imperious airs of Schoolmasters, nor instill fear in them, nor expect from them any honorable and reasonable respect. In this way, a young boy who has talent advances little by little; he contemplates with pleasure all the objects that surround him, and when he realizes that Nature and Art are favoring him, he becomes more inspired each day; and he rises to greater things. Students are like children who learn to walk when guided by a lead or when they support themselves on chairs or along a wall. We could say that men are like real children in what they do not know, and that well-instructed young boys become men even before reaching adulthood. We have already made our students put away the compass and the rule, and we have praised them for having a steady hand in all that they draw: Now we will go further and present them with some new forms crafted with art.

FOURTH LESSON

We now leave the Earth to sail across a vast Sea, where young travelers will greatly need a better Pilot than PALNUR, who, caught by sleep, fell into the Waves and lost his life; for one without a good Master will always be a poor Imitator. Therefore, it is appropriate for students to have a skilled Master, who teaches them the true foundations of Art, and who does not limit himself to the surface or the superficial. It is certain that, through good instruction, he can soon provide great insight to those who are active and diligent. Thus, the Lacedaemonians were accustomed to choosing one of the most illustrious and skilled of their Magistrates to oversee the education of their Youth. But today, good Masters are as rare as good people. So, we have reason to lament seeing so many talented individuals becoming mere scribblers daily because they were poorly instructed. It must be admitted that Nature has much force on its own without adding Instruction; and that this is powerless without the help of Nature. But one could say that Nature is blind if Art does not open its eyes. Nature begins to open its bosom to us, presenting us with an infinity of things; of which we will present some combined with other artificial ones, to inspire our young Student, with the representation of what is not already known. At least before he applied himself to our Art, he amused himself greatly by imitating the form of a Glass, a Beer Mug, an Apple, or such things, and children have a high regard for anyone who can trace any such thing from nature. This is how Nature soon imprints in their mind everything that aligns with their inclination. I confess these are the lesser works of Art; and it is infinitely more beautiful to know how to paint Men, the noblest of all creatures who live down here. Indeed, what can be more glorious and worthy of Art; than representing a Being animated by a divine breath, which the Creator of the whole Universe approved; and which we aptly call the little World, where all of Creation is seen in snapshot? It is for this same reason that it would be imprudent to attempt immediately; and we would thereby incur more shame than was faced by PROMETHEUS in the Fable when he stole the fire of Heaven to animate the Man he had formed in imitation of JUPITER. Thus, we will continue with the easiest things and those least subject to criticism to gradually come to those more refined.

Example.

Translation Notes

PALNUR - a seemingly fictional character used as a teaching metaphor.
Lacedaemonians - People from ancient Sparta, known for their rigorous education system.
PROMETHEUS - A figure in Greek mythology who defied the gods by stealing fire from Heaven to give to humanity.