It would appear, then, that in the Mind alone is to be found the true or ultimate Rule,—­if, indeed, that can be called a rule which changes its measure with every change of character.  It is therefore all-important that every aid be sought which may in any way contribute to the due developement of the mental powers; and no one will doubt the efficiency here of a good general education.  As to the course of study, that must be left in a great measure to be determined by the student; it will be best indicated by his own natural wants.  We may observe, however, that no species of knowledge can ever be oppressive to real genius, whose peculiar privilege is that of subordinating all things to the paramount desire.  But it is not likely that a mind so endowed will be long diverted by any studies that do not either strengthen its powers by exercise, or have a direct bearing on some particular need.

If the student be a painter, or a sculptor, he will not need to be told that a knowledge of the human being, in all his complicated springs of action, is not more essential to the poet than to him.  Nor will a true Artist require to be reminded, that, though himself must be his ultimate dictator and judge, the allegiance of the world is not to be commanded either by a dreamer or a dogmatist.  And nothing, perhaps, would be more likely to secure him from either character, than the habit of keeping his eyes open,—­nay, his very heart; nor need he fear to open it to the whole world, since nothing not kindred will enter there to abide; for

  “Evil into the mind ... 
  May come and go, so unapproved, and leave
  No spot or blame behind.”

And he may also be sure that a pure heart will shed a refining light on his intellect, which it may not receive from any other source.

It cannot be supposed that an Artist, so disciplined, will overlook the works of his predecessors,—­especially those exquisite remains of Antiquity which time has spared to us.  But to his own discretion must be left the separating of the factitious from the true,—­a task of some moment; for it cannot be denied that a mere antiquarian respect for whatever is ancient has preserved, with the good, much that is worthless.  Indeed, it is to little purpose that the finest forms are set before us, if we feel not their truth.  And here it may be well to remark, that an injudicious word has often given a wrong direction to the student, from which he has found it difficult to recover when his maturer mind has perceived the error.  It is a common thing to hear such and such statues, or pictures, recommended as models.  If the advice is followed,—­as it too often is literally,—­the consequence must be an offensive mannerism; for, if repeating himself makes an artist a mannerist, he is still more likely to become one if he repeat another.  There is but one model that will not lead him astray,—­which is Nature:  we do not mean what is merely obvious