To judge well is very difficult. To do so requires both theory and practice. - Nicolas Poussin

One sees a kind of procession of Egyptian priests, whose heads are shaven and crowned with leaves; they wear the dress of the land. Some carry cymbals, flutes and trumpets, others bear sticks adorned with carved hawk's heads. Some stand under a portico, others take their way to the Temple of Serapis. These last bring hither a casket, holding the god's bones. Behind a priestess, clothed in yellow, is seen a kind of building, made for the bird ibis, represented on its walls. In this picture is a tower whose top is concave, and there is also a vase to receive dew. This scene is not a caprice of the imagination. All has been taken from that famous Temple of Fortuna at Palestrina, whose pavement, composed of beautiful mosaics, depicts in a true and good manner the history of Egypt and Ethiopia. I have put all these things into my picture, in order by their novelty and variety to please you, and also to show that the Virgin is really in Egypt.

They do not realize that it is contrary to order and nature to place very large and massive things in high places or to make very delicate or weak bodies carry heavy weights.

You do not need to trouble yourself to send me the other portions of your poem; one can judge the lion by his claws. I have not yet seen the piece you sent, I am keeping it for some one who will know how to appreciate its beauty. It should not be wasted on a mediocre painter; that would be like casting pearls before swine.