49* ANTI^NT METAPHYSICS. BookV. 



There remain, therefore, only, for the fubject of his art, belides his 

 own fpecies, things inanimate, fuch 2,% founds^ colours^ jloncy and ivood. 

 Of thefe he makes wonderful works ; the beauty of which chiefly 

 confifts in the expreffion of that which is nobleft in nature, iiiindi 

 without which there can be no true grace or real beauty in the works 

 of art. 



The firft and nobleft of thefe inanimate materials, \^ found \ which, 

 confidered as a fubjedt of art, is divided into articulate fou.id, or lan- 

 guage, and mufical found. The firft of thefe is the direcL and imme- 

 diate expreffion of intellect, fentiment, and paffion ; and therefore it 

 furnilhes the materials of the higheft art, next to that which I have 

 already mentioned. This art is well known by the name of poetry. 

 And the works of it may be of great extent, as well as great beauty 

 and variety ; for the fubjeft of it is man^ engaged in various purfuits 

 and fcenes of action, but which muft all have an union fit to confti- 

 tute a ivhok, confifting of parts varioufly dependent upon, and ccn- 

 neded with each other. 



Mufical founds, that is, founds, the ratio of which to one another, 

 in refpett to acutenefs and gravity, we can meafure, are the materials 

 of which the mufical art is made ; an art which, though it do not ex- 

 prefs ideas, as words do, affords a language of fentiment and paffion, 

 more expreffive than the language of words. Where paffions, there- 

 fore, are to be excited, and the fentiments and manners of men form- 

 ed without reafon or philofophy, which mufl: be the cafe with regard 

 to very young men, and the vulgar of all ages, there is jio art fo ufe- 

 ful, and which can be fo much employed for the general benefit of all 

 mankind. 



Colours are the materials of the fined art of illufion that ever was 

 invented, I mean paintings which fpeaks to the eyes in the moft for- 

 cible 



