■ [ 75 ] 



is in thofe moments only, when they attempt to imitate human 

 adions, that they iDecome objeds of laughter. 



If it fliould be enquired why mirth is often excited by the repre- 

 fentation of things, which in their adual exiftence would, perhaps, 

 move compaffion, perhaps conciliate approbation and efteem ; fuch 

 are many of thofe paintings called converfation pieces ; fuch are 

 poems like Shenftone's School-miftrefs, and many fcenes in come- 

 dies and novels which profcfs to exhibit pidures of real lifej 

 nor is it difKcult to explain this matter. In the firfl place, 

 though the rcprcfentation follows nature, it is nature diflorted, 

 and her diftortcd features are more condenfed and accumulated 

 together than they commonly exift in real life ; but fuppoling thofe 

 features to be exadly copied, without the adding of any thing, 

 flill there is a riant and grotefque colouring difFufed through the 

 pidure, by the fkill of the artift ; while, in real life, the rude 

 and vulgar manners, the odd and grotefque incidents, may be 

 combined, with fuch collateral circumflances, as may excite emo- 

 tions widely differing from contempt and triumph, and which 

 predominate over them ; for inftance, the ideas of rural inno- 

 cence and honeft induftry, that arife from feeing the family of a 

 peafant at their labours, will conciliate our efteem, and the ap- 

 pearance of poverty and wretchednefs will move our compaffion 5 

 befides, the recoUedion that the pidure before us is but a 

 fidion, prevents our having fuch flrong feelings of efteem or 

 ■compaffion as if we contemplate the reality. 



To proceed to the infirmities and defeds of the mind, they are 

 mild infirmities, and moderated defeds only, that are fit fubjeds of 



(K 2) ' ridicule. 



