231 
_ the Influence of Tifte on Morals. 
confidered, not only as connected with, but even 
advanced to the rank of, the moral fenfe, its 
influence on the heart would be too faint and 
languid, to produce any moral effects. The 
charms of virtue* may be feen with the eye of 
fpeculation, without exciting in us a defire of 
becoming virtuous; juft as an excellent picture, 
or fine prol'pect, may afford us very confiderable 
pleafure, and yet produce not a Angle v/ifh to 
difpoffefs the owners, and to make them ours. 
And though it may be fuppofed, that a fenfe of 
the charms of virtue muft naturally give us a 
prejudice in her favour; yet, Will this prejudice 
be fufficient to keep us fteady to her interefts, 
when Vice fteps forth, attired with every feduc- 
tive ornament of tafte, that can win the affec¬ 
tions ; and engages the ftrongeft pafiions of the 
heart, as advocates in her favour ? 
But we are told, that “ tafte naturally 
fweetens and harmonizes the temper, and re- 
ftrains the turbulence of paftion, and violence 
of purfuit.”f On this fuppofition, the beauty 
of virtue may have confiderable effects 017 
* “ Oar fenfe of beauty from objefts by which they 2re 
conftituted good to us, is very diftinft from the defire of 
them, when they are thus conftituted.” 
Hutcheson’s Inquiry, &c. 
Elements of Criticifm. Introduft. page 11. 
Percival on a Talle for the Beauties of Nature. 
3 mind. 
