Motives which induced him to visit New York.--State of Society in New York.--Reflections on the sterility of American talent.--Considerations on the circumstances which tend to produce Poetical feelings.--The causes which produced the peculiarities in the state of Society in New York.--The Accident which led the Artist to discover the method of colouring Candle-light and Fire effects after Nature.--He copies Strange's engraving of Belisarius, by Salvador Rosa.--The occurrence which hastened his Voyage to Italy, with the Anecdote of his obligations to Mr. Kelly.--Reflections on Plutarch, occasioned by reference to the effect which his works had on the mind of West.--The Artist embarks; occurrence at Gibraltar.--He arrives at Leghorn.--Journey to Rome. But although West found himself in possession of abundant employment in Philadelphia, he was sensible that he could not expect to increase his prices with effect, if he continued constantly in the same place. He also became sensible that to view life in various lights was as necessary to his improvement as to exercise his pencil on different subjects. And, beyond all, he was profoundly sensible, by this time, that he could not hope to attain eminence in his profession, without inspecting the great master-pieces of art in Europe, and comparing them with his own works in order to ascertain the extent of his powers. This philosophical view of his situation was doubtless partly owing to the excellent precepts of Provost Smith, but mainly to his own just perception of what was necessary to the successful career of an Artist: indeed the principle upon which the notion was formed is universal, and applies to all intellectual pursuits. Accordingly, impressed with these considerations, he frugally treasured the earnings of his pencil, that he might undertake, in the first place, a professional journey from Philadelphia, as preparatory to acquiring the means of afterwards visiting Europe, and particularly Rome. When he found that the state of his funds enabled him to undertake the journey, he went to New York.