fingular method of operation, we may be certain of fome final caufe that cannot be reached by ordinary means. It appears to me, that a perception of beauty in external objects, is requifite to attach us to them. Doth not this mechanifm, in the first place, greatly promote induftry, by prompting a defire to poffefs things that are beautiful? Doth it not further join with utility, in prompting us to embellish our houses and enrich our fields? Thefe however are but flight effects, compared with the connections which are formed among individuals in fociety by means of this fingular mechanifm. The qualifications of the head and heart, are undoubtedly the most solid and most permanent foundations of fuch connections. But as external beauty lies more in view, and is more obvious to the bulk of mankind than the qualities now mentioned, the fenfe of beauty poffeffes the more univerfal influence in forming these connections. At any rate, it concurs in an eminent degree with mental qualifications, to produce focial intercourse, mutual good

will, and confequently mutual aid and fupport, which are the life of fociety.

It must not however be overlooked, that this fenfe doth not tend to advance the interests of fociety, but when in a due mean with respect to ftrength. Love in particular arifing from a fenfe of beauty, loses, when exceffive, its fociable character * The appetite for gratification, prevailing over affection for the beloved object, is ungovernable; and tends violently to its end, regardless of the misery that must follow. Love in this state is no longer a fweet agreeable paffion. It becomes painful like hunger or thirst; and produceth no happinefs but in the inftant of fruition. This discovery fuggefts a moft important leffon, that moderation in our defires and appetites, which fits us for doing our duty, contributes at the fame time the most to happiness. Even focial paffions, when moderate, are more pleasant than when they fwell beyond proper bounds.

See chap. 2. part 1. fect. 1.

CHAP

264

CHA P. IV. Q

Grandeur and Sublimity.

ATURE hath not more remarkably

N^distinguished us from the other a

nimals by an erect posture, than

by a capacious and afpiring mind, inclining us to every thing great and elevated. The ocean, the fky,, or any large object, feizes the attention, and makes a ftrong impreffion*. Robes of state are made large and full to draw refpect. We admire elephants and whales for their magnitude, notwithstanding their unwieldinefs.

The elevation of an object affects us not lefs than its magnitude. A high place is chofen for the ftatue of a deity or hero.

* Longinus obferves, that nature inclines us to admire, not a final rivulet, however clear and transparent, but the Nile, the Ifter, the Rhine, or ftill more the ocean. The fight of a small fire produceth no emotion; but we are struck with the boiling furnaces of Ætna, pouring out whole rivers of liquid flame. Treatife of the Sublime, chap. 29.

A

A tree growing upon the brink of a precipice viewed from the plain below, affords by that circumftance an additional pleasure. A throne is erected for the chief magistrate, and a chair with a high feat for the prefi dent of a court.

In fome objects, greatness and elevation concur to make a complicated impreffion. The Alps and the pike of Teneriff are proper examples; with the following difference, that in the former greatness feems to prevail, elevation in the latter.

This

The emotions raised by great and by elevated objects, are clearly diftinguishable; not only in the internal feeling, but even in their external expreffions. A great object dilates the breaft, and makes the fpectator endeavour to enlarge his bulk. is remarkable in perfons, who, neglecting delicacy in behaviour, give way to nature without reserve. In defcribing a great object, they naturally expand themselves by drawing in air with all their force. An elevated object produces a different expreffion. It makes the fpectator ftretch upward and stand a tiptoe. LI

VOL. I.

Great

Great and elevated objects confidered with relation to the emotions produced by them, are termed grand and fublime. Grandeur and fublimity have a double fignification. They generally fignify the qua→ lity or circumstance in the objects by which the emotions are produced; fometimes the emotions themselves.

Whether magnitude fingly in an object of fight, have the effect to produce an emotion distinguishable from the beauty or de formity of that object; or whether it be only a circumstance modifying the beauty or deformity, is an intricate question. If magnitude produce an emotion of its own distinguishable from others, this emotion muft either be pleasant or painful. But this feems to be contradicted by experience; for magnitude, as it would appear, contributes in fome inftances to beauty, in fome to deformity. A hill, for inftance, is agreeable, and a great mountain ftill more fo. But an ugly monster, the larger, the more horrid. Greatness in an enemy, great power, great courage, ferve but to augment our terror,

Hath not