contained in the Oval and in the Elliptic Curves, 3 



lines, and viewed as a flight of steps, or pile of planks, opposite 

 the observer, are disagreeable. Upon the former principle it 

 is, that the rays of the sun, and rays of light generally, are so 

 attractive and beautiful. It is from this circumstance that right 

 lines drawn in an inclined position to the plane of the picture, 

 derive an interest from the angles engendered through the 

 imagination. 



To follow up the principle by regular steps, and to open a 

 clear view of the laws of beauty in lines, there were traced some 

 inclined right lines {Fig. 5), with a regular set of right angles 

 upon it, like the stems of leaves on each side. This exhibited 

 no sort of beauty, nor any other advantage than mere combi-* 

 nations of formal angles. The next diagram {Fig. 6) was an 

 mclined line as before, with similar angular projecting stemis, 

 to which were added elliptic curves on the upper side of each 

 branch, that produced the form of a leaf. Fig. 7 was another 

 inclined line, having oval curves upon it. Both these were 

 shown to possess principles approaching to beauty, by progres- 

 sive advances in combination and original structure. Fig, 8 



Fig. 5. 



Fig. 6. Fig. 7. 



Fig. 8. 



was an inclined line with the oval curves upon it ; to which a 

 similar addition of elliptic curves Were adjoined to the stems, 



B 2 



