PICTURESQUE ANIMALS. 301 



early in the last century. Since luxury has extended 

 into the circle of the middle and industrious classes, the 

 simplicity of their habits has been destroyed, and artists, 

 when drawing their designs from the manners of these 

 classes, have failed in producing pictures equal in poetic 

 expression to those which were made one hundred years 

 ago. It is apparent, for example, that the ancient straw 

 beehive, surrounded by its swarm, formerly introduced 

 into vignettes as emblematical of industry, is decidedly 

 jiicturesque ; while the modern patent structures, con- 

 structed for purposes of economy, would, in fanciful 

 engravings, excite ideas no more poetical than we 

 should find in a modern revolving churn. Modern cus- 

 toms and improvements are rapidly sweeping away 

 from the face of the earth every thing that is poetic or 

 picturesque. It may be urged, however, that the sum 

 of human happiness has been proportionally increased. 

 This I am inclined to doubt; and to maintain, on the 

 contrary, that just in proportion as we depart from the 

 simple habits of the early era of civilization, do we 

 create wants that cannot be gratified, and lose those 

 tastes which are most promotive of happiness, and in 

 harmony with the designs of nature and of providence. 



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