THE SPECTATOR. 



JOSEPH ADDISON. 



Wednesday, June 25, 1712. 

 - - Alterius sic 



Altera poscit opem res et conjurat amic2. 



IF we consider the works of nature and art, 

 as they are qualified to entertain the imagi- 

 nation, we shall find the last very defective, in 

 comparison of the former ; for though they may 

 sometimes appear as beautiful or strange, they 

 can have nothing in them of that vastness and 

 immensity, which afford so great an entertain- 

 ment to the mind of the beholder. The one 

 may be as polite and delicate as the other, but 

 can never show herself so august and magnifi- 

 cent in the design. There is something more 

 bold and masterly in the rough, careless strokes 

 of nature, than in the nice touches and embel- 

 lishments of art. The beauties of the most 



