concerning which the writers of different ages and nations have expressed no opinion, we must have recourse to discussion and investigation, it being, if not a certain, at least the most certain mode of becoming acquainted with the common feeling; 4. That this discussion must deduce all its conclusions from the laws of feeling alone, and not from any abstract positions which, though true in themselves, and as they regard their proper objects, have no relation to the sympathies, sensibilities, or affections of man; and lastly, that whenever we can ascertain the common feeling without discussion, we may, without further investigation, rest upon it, with as much certainty as upon the axiom, that the whole is greater than any of its parts. All further discussion is impertinent, if its aim be to prove the common feeling wrong; but if it only seek to analyze and resolve into its component parts the individual elements of beauty, by which this common feeling was excited, the object of its investigation is highly laudable, and the surest means of advancing the Fine Arts to their last perfection.

CHAP. IV.

On the Taste of particular Ages and Nations; and the necessity of studying the Ancient Models.

THOUGH the common feeling of mankind is the true standard of taste, it is still certain, that the revolutions of taste are as constant and uniform as the revolutions of literature. New schools and new styles of poetry, painting, music, &c. are common to every age, and every revolution seems to receive the approbation of mankind. This general assent, however, to the innovations which eternally take place in taste, is rather apparent than real. We generally adopt the reigning taste, not because we prefer it to that of all former ages, but because, though we have sense to discern which is best when pointed out to us, we are generally too indolent to investigate or enter into comparisons ourselves; and we have seldom ability or inclination to contend with those who stand at the head of society, and influence it by their example. We, therefore, suffer ourselves to be led away, without examining, or without daring

to contend with the reigning taste. Many of us are credulous enough to believe, that whatever is fashionable must be right. This belief, however, is not founded on conviction; it does not result from comparing the prevailing taste with that of all former ages, but from entering into no comparison at all; from adopting implicitly what we are taught by those who set up for judges, and who affect to be better instructed in those matters, than we are ourselves. The taste that prevails in any particular age is not, therefore, to be considered as a taste founded on the common feeling of mankind. It is rather a taste forced upon this common feeling before those on whom it is forced have time to turn round and examine its propriety. It is, therefore, only the taste of those who usurp to themselves the privilege of directing the public taste, and who claim a right to make what alterations they please in that which had been adopted by their predecessors. The greater part of mankind do not take the trouble of inquiring whether this taste be correct or not, but blindly adopt whatever is generally adopted by others. There are, however, a few in every country who always venture to judge for themselves, who compare this novel taste with that of all former ages and nations, and who have courage to expose whatever they find in it false, affected, or unnatural; and such is the force of

truth, that it brings back the common feeling to the path from which it had strayed, and rescues it from the false biasses of ignorance and error. This redemption, however, could never take place, if the common feeling could not discern between true and false taste; or if it were as much disposed to adopt one as the other; for, in this case, it could never decide between them. Though the false taste, therefore, from which it is thus redeemed should even have been extremely popular, and from this circumstance might be supposed founded on the common feeling, it is obvious that this arose from the want of investigation, from not comparing the taste which it had thus implicitly adopted, in obedience to the authority of those whom it thought qualified to judge and to direct, with any other standard. But the moment the comparison was made, it had no difficulty in deciding. No argument can, therefore, be drawn from the false taste which may prevail in any age or nation, against the competency of the common feeling to determine all disputes in matters of taste; for this common feeling may remain dormant, and blindly adopt any taste without examination. "Whole nations," says Dr. Reid," by the force of prejudice, are brought to believe the greatest absurdities; and why should it be thought that the taste is less capable of being perverted than the judgment? It must, indeed, be acknow

ledged, that men differ more in the faculty of taste, than in what we commonly call judgment, and therefore it may be expected, that they should be more liable to have their taste corrupted in matters of beauty and deformity, than their judgments in matters of truth and error. If we make due allowance for this, we shall see that it is as easy to account for the varieties of taste, though there be in nature a true standard of beauty, and consequently of good taste, as it is to account for the variety and contrariety of opinions, though there be in nature a standard of truth, and consequently of right judgment."

Bad taste, false sentiment, and inconclusive reasoning, belong not more to one age or nation than another. They are the growth of every age, nor is there any period in which their influence is more to be dreaded than when that last polish is bestowed upon the fine arts, which they are capable of receiving from the exquisite touch of taste and genius. It is easier for a writer of ordinary merit to distinguish himself by vitiating taste, and opposing excellence, than by attempting to improve it; for how can he improve beauties which he cannot discern? Beauty, like ivory, after receiving the last polish, is only dulled by the unskilful hand that would attempt to render it more transparent. Hence it is that bad taste and false sentiment are more dangerous, when