AN ANALYTICAL INQUIRY INTO THE PRINCIPLES OF TASTE. BY RICHARD PAYNE KNIGHT. THE SECOND EDITION. Quid placet aut odio est, quod non mutabile credas? London: Printed by Luke Hansard, near Lincoln's-Inn Fields, FOR T. PAYNE, MEWS-GATE; AND J. WHITE, FLEET-STREET. 1805, ADVERTISEMENT то THE SECOND EDITION. THE additional arguments against Mr. Burke's theories and Mr. Price's illustrations of them, which will be found in this Edition, have been introduced in consequence of the latter's having signified his intention of refuting generally what I had before advanced in opposition to both. Whether this confidence proceed from an adequate estimate of his own forces, or an inadequate estimate of mine, such an adversary is not to be encountered but on the broadest system of defence, which must necessarily include measures of offence; and, whatever be the issue of the contest, I shall at least have the satisfaction, by provoking him. to write more, of being the means of throwing more light upon the subject: for, be his philosophy ever so erroneous, or his reasoning ever so misapplied, his practical good taste, and abi lity to illustrate it are such, as cannot be exerted without effectually promoting the end' in view; namely, that of diffusing practical good taste generally through the country: and, as it is upon practical good taste, in our more elegant manufactures, that the resources of this country, and consequently the liberties. and civilization of mankind, in some measure depend, the object is too important for any petty triumphs of success, or any petty mortifications of defeat in theoretical controversies of verbal criticism or philosophical discrimination, to weigh even the dust of the balance. In treating of subjects, which have been so abundantly treated of by others, it is impossible not to touch upon the systems and opinions, which they have formed or adopted, whether we name them or not; whence controversies arise; which, between persons, who wish to maintain undiminished their personal respect and esteem for cach other, become matters of much difficulty and delicacy. Both Dr. Johnson, however, and Sir Joshua Reynolds, while living in the most familiar intimacy of the strictest friendship with Mr. Burke, entirely rejected, in their writings, the principles which he had endeavoured to establish in the " Inquiry into the Sublime and Beautiful;" without, indeed, naming the Author, or citing the book; and this mode of proceeding, I adopted with reference to such of Mr. Price's opinions, as I could not acquiesce in or approve in this mode too I should have persevered, had he not, in his dialogue, made a pointed attack upon the adverse opinions, which I had simply professed; and a pointed attack necessarily produces a pointed attack in return; since it is impossible wholly to separate measures of defence from those of offence. Having, however, never embraced any speculative opinion with that eagerness of parental affection, which engages the feelings of the heart in support of the theories of the head, I shall feel no perturbation of temper at finding any, that I have embraced, proved to be false or erroneous: but can even share the triumph of a candid adversary, if it appears to be, at the same time, the triumph of truth; which, being the fundamental principle of both taste and morality, ought to be the ultimate object of every writer; and which, if steadily kept in view, will equally exclude the irritability of passion, the presumption of prejudice, and the dogmatical pride of system. In all controversy, the mildest mode is, in every respect, the best: but, nevertheless, there are occasions, where it is impossible not to employ ridicule: for when a ludicrous light |