228 Rev. Mr. Hall's Inquiry concerning 
Upon this fuppofition, it is evident* a man 
may have an exquifite cade for fome particular 
art or fcience, and yet, no tafte for virtue. To 
this fpecies of beauty the faculty may be fo little 
fenfible, as to produce no effe&s. In fuch a 
cafe, virtue only fhares the fate of many other 
things, which are confeffedly objefts of tafte, 
and which are rejected, becaufe the capacity 
adapted to them is fo weak, that it may be faid 
to be wanting. 
But let us fuppofe, that tafte really exercifes 
fome of the privileges and powers of the moral 
fenfe. The advocates for its practical influence 
would not gain much, by this very ample concef- 
fion. The mere fenfe of the beauty of virtue 
(and it is not pretended, that any thing further 
can be the object of tafte) abftrafted from 
every other confideration, will icarcely be thought 
fufficient to fupport her caufe. The theory ap¬ 
pears more fpecious, than folid j more pleafing, 
than efficacious. When dreffed with the art, the 
ingenuity, and the eloquence of a Shaftefbury, it 
may entertain and amufe, the heart being fup- 
pofed in a ftate of eafe, calm and indifferent. 
But its effe&s will not be fufficiently ftrong with 
the generality of mankind, to fpur them on to 
attion. We furvey the lovely pi&ure, are con¬ 
vinced that it is a fine one, yet turn afide to 
fome other object, that agitates our hopes and 
fears 
The 
