That question had been natural enough from most men. But your Lordship
knows very well, that, in this moral discipline, as in every other,
ideas of excellence are to be imprinted on the young mind, and the most
consummate models proposed for imitation: on this certain principle,
That, whoever would be moderately accomplished in any art, and most of
all in this supreme art of life, must take his aim high, and aspire to
absolute perfection. A painter or statuary of the lowest form, your
Lordship knows, is taught to work after a MADONNA _of_ RAPHAEL, or a
VENUS _of_ MEDICIS; yet is not likely to meet with either, among his
acquaintance.