(5ra&ing an& Sbaping ©roun&s 193 



a number of parts in the ground will contribute to the 

 profusion. A scene of gaiety is improved by the 

 same means ; the objects and parts may differ in style, 

 but they must be numerous in both. Sameness is 

 dull; the purest simplicity can at the most render 

 a place composed of large parts placid; the sublimest 

 ideas only make it striking; it is always grave; to 

 enliven it, numbers are wanting. 



"But ground is seldom beautiful or natural without 

 variety or even without contrast, and the precau- 

 tions that have been given tend no further than to 

 prevent variety from degenerating into inconsist- 

 ency and contrast into contradiction. Within the 

 extreme nature supplies an inexhaustible ftmd; and 

 variety thus limited, so far from destroying improves 

 the general effect. Each distinguished part makes 

 a separate impression ; and all bearing the same stamp, 

 all concurring to the same end, every one is an 

 additional support to the prevailing idea: that is 

 multiplied; it is extended, it appears in different 

 shapes; it is shown in several lights; and the variety 

 illustrates the relation. But variety wants not this 

 recommendation: it is always desirable when it can 

 be properly introduced; and the accurate observer 

 will see in every form several circumstances by which 

 it is distinguished from every other. If the scene be 

 mild and quiet, he will place together those that do 

 not differ widely; he will gradually depart from the 

 similitude. In ruder scenes the succession will be less 

 regular, and the transition more sudden. The 

 13 



