PRELIMINARY REMARKS. 515 



of human conception. But while venturing into this sphere, it is 

 necessary that they should be controlled by the principles of pure 

 taste, and never lose sight of probabilities, or at least of possibilities, 

 in their imaginative excursions. 



Of the Fine Arts, as of Ornamental Literature, it may be said, that 

 they spring from the constitution of human nature ; and though not 

 absolutely necessary to its physical existence, yet they have in all 

 ages served to develope its mental powers, and to promote its highest 

 enjoyments. By furnishing a pleasing recreation, they have often 

 kept the young mind from wandering in forbidden paths ; while age 

 has derived from them the vigor of the bow unstrung. But it is 

 rather to the sentient than to the reasoning powers of our nature that 

 they address themselves ; and hence, if rightly directed, they have 

 power to soothe the stormy passions, and calm the troubled breast ; 

 or to warm the heart to goodness, and implant the seeds of virtue and 

 piety ; or to rouse the soul to action, and incite it to the performance 

 of deeds of daring and of glory. That they have often been abused, 

 and applied to unworthy purposes, must ever be a subject of regret, 

 to virtuous minds : and it furnishes a reason for their being legally 

 and morally scrutinized ; but none for their neglect or extirpation. 



To compare the relative merits of these arts, or to give a preference 

 either to them or to Rhetoric, Poetry, or Romance, we deem unneces- 

 sary and invidious ; as each admits of masterly skill in its own sphere ; 

 and the best productions of each branch may well vie with those of 

 the others. Of sensible forms, Painting may give more exact ideas 

 than Poetry ; but, for this very reason, the effect may be less impos- 

 ing ; because deprived of the charm or spell which imagination casts 

 over objects half revealed. The effects of Music, are generally less 

 definite than those of either poetry or painting : but still they are often 

 not the less pleasing ; as the very vagueness of their impressions 

 leaves the mind only the more free to follow any train of thought, or 

 feeling, which they may excite, or with which they may harmonize. 

 This fact reminds us that all these arts should be kept within their 

 proper bounds, and enjoyed moderately ; else instead of relaxing and 

 invigorating the mind, they will only enervate it, by the thraldom of 

 mental dissipation. 



The history of Callotechnics, will be more appropriately distributed 

 among its different branches. The most important topic in this his- 

 tory, is the invention of the art of Printing ; by which knowledge, 

 once confined in manuscripts, and accessible only to the privileged 

 few, is now disseminated in multiplied copies, widely as the winds 

 are, and almost as free. Though of later date than the invention of 

 the compass, and of fire arms, it has exercised an influence not less 

 important than theirs, on the destiny of the world ; and when the 

 mighty power of steam arose, and winged its way over sea and land, 

 the genius of Printing at once took advantage of its progress, and sub- 

 sidized it as the carrier of her literary treasures. Of the other Fine 

 Arts, none has made substantial progress, in modern times, excepting 

 Music ; but this art, next to Printing, has, we think, exerted the 

 greatest influence upon national character. We are of the opinion 

 that music does not form the national character, so much as it is 



