STtJDY xii. if 



deranged ; flie veils Deity from our view, that 

 we may be able to fupport his approach. 



T/je Pkafiire of Myjlcry, 



This is the reafon that myftery poflcfles fo many 

 charms. Pidures placed in the full glare of light, 

 avenues in ftraight lines, rofes fully blown, wo- 

 men in gaudy apparel, are far from being the ob- 

 jets which pleafe us moft. But fliady vallies, paths 

 winding about through the forefls, flowers fcarcely 

 half-opened, and timid fliepherdeffes, excite in us 

 the fweeteft and the moft lafting emotions. The 

 lovelinefsand refpeAability of objeâis are increafed 

 by their myfcerioufnefs. Sometimes it is that ofan^ 

 tiquity, which renders fo many monuments vene- 

 rable in our eyes; fometimes it is that of diftance, 

 which diffufes fo many charms over objeds in the 

 Horizon ; fometimes it is that of names. Hence 

 the Sciences which retain the Greek names, though 

 they frequently denote only the moft ordinary 

 things, have a more impofing air of refped: than 

 thofe which have only modern names, though thefe 

 may, in many cafes, be more ingenious and more 

 ufeful. Hence, for example, the conftrudion of 

 lliips, and the art of navigation, are more lightly 

 prized by our modern Hieratic than feveral other 

 phyfical fciences of the moft frivolous nature, but 

 which are dignified by Greek names. Admira- 

 voL. IV. G tien. 



