STUDY X. 353 



When the leaves of a vegetable are arranged 

 round it's branches, in the fame order that the 

 branches themfelves are round the flem, there is 

 confonancy, as in pines ; but if the branches of 

 that vegetable are farther difpofed among them- 

 felves, on limilar plans, which go on diminifhing 

 in magnitude, as in the pyramidical form of firs, 

 there is progreffion ; and if thefe trees are them- 

 felves difpofed in long avenues, decreafing in 

 height and in colouring, like their particular 

 mafs, our pleafure is heightened, becaufe the pro- 

 greffion becomes infinite. 



From this inftinft of infinity it is that we take 

 pleafure in viewing every objeâ; which prefents us 

 with a progreffion ; as nurfery- grounds, containing 

 plants of different ages, hills flying off to the Ho- 

 rizon in fucceffive elevations, perfpedtives without 

 a termination. 



Montefquieu has, neverthelefs, remarked that, if 

 the road from Peterfburg to Mofcow is in a 

 flraight line, the traveller mufb die upon it with 

 languor. I have performed that journey, and can 

 confidently affirm, from perfonal knowledge, that 

 the road is very far from being in a firaight line. 

 But admitting it to be fo, the languor of the tra- 

 veller would arife from the very fentiment of infi- 

 nity, joined to the idea of fatigue. It is this fame 



VOL. II. A a fentiment. 



