Having made a friend of the great artist, Washington Allston, Morse went with him to London, and there studied under Benjamin West who, as you remember, was Robert Fulton's teacher. Morse was at this time a young man of modest, gentle, and sunny manner, and easily won the affection of his new teacher.
West held his pupils to high standards, as the following instance shows. Upon one occasion, after spending much time in making what he considered to be a finished drawing, Morse laid it before West for criticism. Upon careful examination the master praised it highly, and then added:
"Very well, sir, very well; go on and finish it."
"It is finished," was Morse's reply.
"Oh, no," said Mr. West, "look here, and here, and here," pointing to defects in the drawing.
After spending another week upon it, Morse took it to his teacher. Again Mr. West praised it and added:
"Very well, indeed, sir; go on and finish it."
"Is it not finished?" Morse asked with surprise and disappointment in his voice.
"Not yet," said his critic.
Morse spent three or four days more in trying to perfect the work, and again handed it to his teacher, who, after again praising it, said: