2j2 Rev. Mr. Hall's Inquiry concerning 
a mind, already difpofed, by calmnefs and com- 
pofure, to yield to the gentlefl influence. 
This reafoning will not eafily be fupported 
by experience, and matter of faX. The con¬ 
nexion between genius and tafte is fo common, 
that they may almoft be confidered, as infepara- 
ble companions. Genius without tafte, would 
be no better than frenzy : and tafte, without 
genius, would be diftinguifhed for nothing, but 
a lifelefs accuracy. But genius, it is generally 
agreed, is united to a warm and inflammable 
conftitution. “ If,” fays an eminent critic, “ the 
imagination be lively, the paffions will be ftrong; 
true genius feldom refides in a cold and phlegma¬ 
tic conftitution. The fame temperament, and the 
fame fenfibility, that makes a poet or a painter, 
will be apt to make a man a lover, and a 
debauchee.”* Thefe propenfities of nature may 
be reftrained by the diXates of real'on, and 
efpecially, by the awful fanXions of religion ; 
and thus, genius and virtue may unite, and adorn 
the fame perfon. But in vain fhall we look for 
thefe important effeXs, from the influence of 
tafte. In vain (hall we expeX to find, that men 
of genius and of tafte will be always diftin¬ 
guifhed, for the fweetnefs of their tempers, and 
the purity of their morals. The irritability of 
* Wartou’s Eflay on the Writings and Genius of Pope. 
Vol. I. p. 105. 
a Pope 
