§55 XVIII. PROPORTIONS OF COLOURS. 149 



only with red ; then it is that the white should predominate, 

 and not the more powerful hue. For when a large quantity 

 of red has a small proportion of white combined with it, the 

 effect is heavy, and the red even loses its proper character ; 

 while a superabundance of the white with a small quantity of 

 red is bright and agreeable. We at once perceive this in our 

 white ensign bearing the red St. George's cross, and in the red 

 flag bearing a white cross. (See Plate in. figs. 13, 14.) A bor- 

 der too of red to a white field is as agreeable as a white border 

 to a red field is the contrary; and a red pattern on a white 

 ground is preferable to a white pattern on a red one (figs. 13, 

 14, b, c). The same applies also, in some instances, to blue 

 and white ; and a blue cross on a white ground is more agree- 

 able than a white cross on a blue field ; as yellow on a white 

 ground is more pleasing than white on a yellow one. But 

 the greater quantity of white is less requisite in blue and 

 white, as they are a more harmonious combination than red 

 and white, and may be combined in equal quantities, which 

 is not desirable in red and white. In like manner, a large 

 expanse of drab, slate, light chocolate, salmon, grey, and 

 other uniform hue, when it has a border or pattern round it, 

 requires this last to be of a darker hue than the light and more 

 abundant colour in the ground. This is in some degree owing 

 to certain colours, which are well suited as grounds, requiring 

 to be in greater quantity than those which are better adapted 

 to combine with others in a composition. But it is not 

 always necessary that the lighter colour should be the ground, 

 with the darker one in a smaller quantity ; for blue, and 

 others, on a black ground, have a good effect, and orange 

 looks well on a green, purple, crimson, and other ground. 

 But then, though not darker, it is a more powerful colour ; 

 and it must be allowed that black on a blue ground, and a 

 purple (or a crimson) on an orange ground, are preferable to 

 blue on black, or orange on purple. White too is a better 



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