4^0 OF MANHOOD. 



low them to grow to an unnatural length, ufe 

 them for flaying and tearing animals. But, al- 

 though their nails be ftronger and longer than 

 ours, they can by no means be compared to the 

 hoofs or claws of other animals. 



With regard to the proportions of the human 

 body, we have no exadt knov/ledge. The fame 

 parts have not the fame proportions in any two 

 individuals ; and, even in the fame perfon, the 

 correfponding parts are not perfectly fimilar. 

 For example, the right arm or leg have feldom 

 the fame dimenfions with the left. Repeated 

 obfervations alone can afcertain a ftandard by 

 which we may be enabled to form a perfedt 

 idea of the natural and beft proportions of the 

 human figure. It is not by comparing men, or 

 taking their dimenfions, that we are to expedt 

 any light upon this fubjed: : We have more 

 to hope from the art of defigning, and the ef- 

 forts which have been made in imitating Na- 

 ture. Tafte and fentiment have exceeded the 

 limits of mechanical operations. 1 he fquare 

 and compafs are laid afide, and we truft more 

 to the imprefiions made on the fenfes. Every 

 pofTible form has been realized in bronze or in 

 marble. We recognife the ftandard of Nature 

 more by imitating her, than by her own pro- 

 dudiions ; and we judge better concerning the 

 perfection of a ftatue by viewing it, than by 

 taking its different dimenfions. It is by long 

 pradice in the art of defigning, and by deli- 

 cacy 



