“I am sometimes even constrained to doubt the lawfulness of my own art when I perceive its prostitution, were I not fully persuaded that the art itself, when used for its legitimate purposes, is one of the greatest correcters of grossness and promoters of refinement.  I have been led, since I have been in Italy, to think much of the propriety of introducing pictures into churches in aid of devotion.  I have certainly every inducement to decide in favor of the practice did I consult alone the seeming interest of art.  That pictures may and do have the effect upon some rightly to raise the affections, I have no doubt, and, abstractly considered, the practice would not merely be harmless but useful; but, knowing that man is led astray by his imagination more than by any of his other faculties, I consider it so dangerous to his best interests that I had rather sacrifice the interests of the arts, if there is any collision, than run the risk of endangering those compared with which all others are not for a moment to be considered.  But more of this another time.”

I have introduced here and at other times Morse’s strictures on the Roman Catholic religion, and on other subjects, without comment on my part, even when these strictures seem to verge on illiberality.  My desire is to present a true portrait of the man, with the shadows as well as the lights duly emphasized, fully realizing that what may appear faults to some, to others will shine out as virtues, and vice versa.

From Milan, Morse and his companion planned to cross the mountains to Geneva, but, having a day or two to spare, they visited the Lake of Como, which, as was to be expected, satisfied the eye of the artist:  “It is shut in by mountains on either side, reminding me of the scenery of Lake George, to which its shores are very similar.  In the transparency of the water, however, Lake George is its superior, and in islands also, but in all things else the Lake of Como must claim the precedence.  The palaces and villas and villages which skirt its shores, the mountains, vine-clad and cultivated to their summits, all give a charm for which we look in vain as yet in our country.  The luxuries of art have combined with those of nature in a wonderful degree in this enchanting spot.”

On August 4, they left Milan in the diligence for Lago Maggiore, and we learn that:  “Our coach is accompanied by gendarmes.  We enquired the reason of the conductor, who was in the coach with us.  He told us that the road is an unsafe one; that every day there are instances of robbery perpetrated upon those who travel alone.”

[Illustration:  HENRY CLAY Painted by Morse.  Now in the Metropolitan Museum, New York]