The history of no other individual affords an incident so extraordinary. This could not be called a presentiment, but the result of a clear expectation, that some important consequence would ensue. It may be added that a more beautiful instance of liberality is not to be found in the records of any religious society. Hitherto, all sects, even of Christians, were disposed to regard, with jealousy and hatred, all those members who embraced any pursuit that might tend to alienate them from their particular modes of discipline. The Quakers have, therefore, the honour of having been the first to allow, by a public act, that their conception of the religious duties of man was liable to the errors of the human judgment, and was not to be maintained on the presumption of being actually according to the will of God. There is something at once simple and venerable in the humility with which they regarded their own peculiar principles, especially contrasted with the sublime view they appeared to take of the wisdom and providence of the Deity. But, with whatever delightful feelings strangers and posterity may contemplate this beautiful example of Christian magnanimity, it would be impossible to convey any idea of the sentiments with which it affected the youth who was the object of its exercise. He must have been less than man had he not endeavoured, without ceasing, to attain an honourable eminence in his profession; or, had he forgotten, in the honours which he has since received from all polished nations, that he was authorized by his friends and his religion, to cultivate the art by which he obtained such distinctions, not for his own sake, but as an instrument chosen by Providence to disseminate the arts of peace in the world. Chap. IV. Reflections on the Eccentricities of Young Men of Genius with respect to pecuniary matters.--The Death of the Artist's Mother.--The Embodying of the Pennsylvanian Militia; an Anecdote of General Wayne.--The Artist elected Commandant of a corps of Volunteer boys.--The circumstances which occasioned the Search for the Bones of Bradock's army.--The Search.--The Discovery of the Bones of the Father and Brother of Sir Peter Halket.--The Artist proposed afterwards to paint a Picture of the Discovery of the Bones of the Halkets.--He commences regularly as a Painter.--He copies a St. Ignatius.--He is induced to attempt Historical Portraiture.--His Picture of the Trial of Susannah.--Of the merits of that Picture.