58 ON COLOUR. Past I. 



as to the colours that suit each other ; leaving the reason why 

 they do so to a future occasion, when we have mastered the 

 facts. It matters little for the harmonious combination of 

 colours why blue and yellow form green, we want to ascertain 

 how various tones of green accord with other hues; and 

 when we have determined the proper combination of these 

 and other colours we may speculate on their natures, or on 

 the reasons, at our leisure. It is this endeavour to explain 

 some irrelevant question, and the desire to build a theory on 

 certain remarkable properties that have appeared during the 

 inquiry, which have led to the unfortunate blunders about 

 accidental colours and their necessary harmony, whereby 

 many who have no eye for colour have been persuaded to 

 adopt the most disagreeable discords as harmonious concords. 

 The argument has simply been that they must agree, because 

 they ought to do so. 



41. But while I express a disapprobation of certain theories, 

 I must repeat my disclaimer of an intention to offer any of 

 my own; and if I object to any other opinion, it is not from 

 a desire to find fault, but from a sincere wish to see our taste 

 improved, and to second the efforts made to promote it which 

 reflect so much credit on their authors ; and judging from 

 their results and the improvement now taking place we may 

 feel convinced that by proper instruction and encouragement 

 the English are capable of producing works of merit in orna- 

 mental design as in every branch of art. I do not pretend to 

 lay down rules for colour or dogmatise in any matters con- 

 nected with taste ; I merely seek to direct attention to those 

 subjects, and to .urge that nothing should be done without a 

 purpose and a thorough understanding of the means of ob- 

 taining success. I do not presume to teach or dictate, but 

 rather recommend inquiry : that every thing may be done 

 with a reason, and every opinion be the result of thought. 

 The habit of thinking for ourselves, particularly in matters 



