204 ON TASTE IN OENAMENTAL DESIGN. Paet II. 



whole, as in the human figure ; while an object which is of 

 one simple form, without detachable parts, is regulated by 

 proportion, as an obelisk, and other simple geometrical figures. 

 I do not, however, pretend to fix this as the real definition of 

 the two terms, but only mention the sense in which I view 

 them ; and that symmetry which implies "uniformity," or the 

 exact correspondence of parts (as of a building), I should rather 

 call " symmetrically," or " symmetrical arrangement." 



[In no country of the present day is proportion so well 

 understood as in Italy; and nowhere is its importance so 

 clearly perceived as in the buildings of that country, where it 

 oftentimes happens that at first sight you are charmed with 

 the effect of an edifice, which, on closer examination, is 

 found to be deficient in form and in many of its details, or 

 replete with the barbarisms of broken outlines and the excres- 

 cences of a debased style. And when such imperfections of 

 form as well as of details are concealed by the general effect 

 produced by the harmony of proportion, it is evident how 

 essential this last is for captivating the eye and giving the 

 impression of beauty.] Our own Wren may also be cited for 

 his thorough appreciation of it. 



[As the perception of proportion, like the accuracy of the 

 ear in judging of sound, is a natural gift to some persons, it 

 may be improved by study ; and it may be taught, like music, 

 to all who are not destitute of every feeling for harmony. 

 Some, indeed, are incapable of comprehending it, as some are 

 unable to distinguish colours : but the habit of seeing and 

 having the attention drawn to it may go far towards instruct- 

 ing the generality of those who might otherwise be left in a 

 wilderness of error.] 



Some, indeed, think that general notions of proportion can 

 be easily obtained by observing certain rules applicable in 

 all cases, without the aid of the eye, which they hope to 

 over-rule by these fixed axioms ; but if they were sufficient, 



