Chap. 1 8.] [ 503 ] 



CHAP. XVIII, 



OF TASTE. 



Of Agreement and Difagreement in ^Tafte. Of a Standard of 



Tape. 



DISAGREEMENT of tafte, if we but attend to 

 the principles explained in the former part 

 of this book *, will be found to arife from particular 

 afibciations j- ; and agreement in tafte from the natural 

 affections common to all mankind. The mod perfect 

 agreement will be between thofe whofe genius, ftudies, 

 and other circumftances moft perfectly accord. 



National tafte is influenced by the fame caufes, which 

 influence that of individuals J, and a flight afibciation 

 will frequently produce the moft fantaftical cuftoms. 

 The tyranny exercifed over the female fex, the jealoufy 

 of the Afiatic nations ; and the neglect of their women, 

 fhewn by fome northern barbarians, does not proceed 

 from a coldnefs in the natural temper of the latter, nor 

 from the more lively pafiions of the former j the truth 

 is, in the rude ftate .of thofe northern people, their 



See ch. xi. 



jFrom aflbciation, if glaring colours, or any other thing fhould 

 be regarded by the country as a fign of levity or any other ill qua- 

 lity in the wearer ; or if any colour or fafhion is ufed by ruftics, or 

 men of a difagreeable profeffion or temper, thefe ideas recur with 

 the fafhion or colour. 



J Almod every perception will introduce a different train of 

 ideas in every different perfon, according to the different circum- 

 ftances with which it may have been moft frequently aflbciated in 

 each perfon's mind, and confequendy often according to their par- 

 ticular occupation or profeflion. 



K k 4 other 



