STUDY XII. 31 



But there is in us, befides, a fentiment more fu- 

 blime, which derives pleafure from ruin, indepcn- 

 dantly of all pidurefque effed, and of every idea 

 of perfonal fecurity ; it is that of Deity, which ever 

 blends itfelf with our. melancholy affedions, and 

 which conftitutes their principal charm. I (hall 

 attempt to unfold fome of the charaders of it, by 

 following the impreffions made upon us by ruins 

 of different kinds. The fubjed is both rich and 

 new ; but I poffefs neither leifure nor ability to 

 beftow upon it a profound invefligation. I fhall, 

 however, drop a fevv words upon it, by the way, 

 in the view of exculpating and exalting human 

 nature with what ability I have. 



The heart of man is fo naturally difpofed to be- 

 nevolence, that the fpedacle of a ruin, which 

 brings to our recolledion only the mifery of our 

 fellow men, infpires us with horror, whatever may 

 be the pidurefque elFed which it prefents. I hap- 

 pened to be at Drefden, in the year 1765, which 

 was feveral years after it had been bombarded. 

 That fmall, but very beautiful and commercial 

 city, more than half compofed of Httle palaces, 

 charmingly arranged, the fronts of which were 

 adorned externally with paintings, colonades, bal- 

 conies, and pieces of fculpture, then prefented a 

 pile of ruins. A confiderable part of the enemy*s 

 bombs had been direded againfl: the Lutheran 



church. 



