STUDY X. 297 



ploying to advantage, in their drefs, thofe oppo- 

 fite colours ; but they are called in as an embel- 

 lifhment only on account of the contrails which 

 they form with the colour of their complexion ; and 

 as the red predominates there, it follows that the 

 oppofite colours are advantageous to them, for 

 harmonic expreffion is never ftronger, than when 

 found between the two extremes which produce 

 it. We fhall offer a few thoughts hereafter on 

 this part of harmony, when we come to fpeak of 

 contrafts, and of the human figure. 



It would be ridiculous to afFeft ignorance of 

 the objeâiions which may be flatted againfl the 

 univerfality of thefe principles. We have repre- 

 fentcd white as a gay, and black as a fad colour. 

 Neverthelefs, certain Negro Nations reprefent the 

 Devil as white : the inhabitants of the Peninfula 

 of India, in token of mourning, rub their fore- 

 head and temples with the powder of fandal- 

 wood, the colour of which is a yellowifh white. 

 The Navigator La Barbinois, who, in his voyage 

 round the world, has as well defcribed the manners 

 of China, as thofe of our fea-officers, and of feve-r 

 ral European Colonies, fays, that white is the co- 

 lour of mourning among the Chinefe. From 

 thefe inftances it might be concluded, that the 

 feeling of colour mud be arbitrary, as it is not the 

 fame in all Nations. 



I venture 



