SCENBIiY AFrECTMD BY THE VVEATHEE. 319 



which intercept it, their foliage and ramification 

 appear to great advantage. 



Sometimes, also, a good effect arises when the 

 sky, under the influence of a bleak north wind, 

 cold and overcast, is hung with blue or purple 

 clouds lowering over the horizon. If under that 

 |)art of the atmosphere the distant forest happens 

 to range, it is overspread with a deep blue or a 

 purple tint from the reflection of the clouds, and 

 makes a very picturesque appearance. And yet 

 I should be cautious in advising the painter to 

 introduce it with that full strength in which he 

 may sometimes observe it. The appearance of blue 

 and purple trees, unless in very remote distance, 

 offends ; and though the artist may have autho- 

 rity from Nature for his practice, yet the spec- 

 tator, who is not versed in such effects, may be 

 displeased. Painting, like poetry, is intended to 

 excite pleasure; and, though the painter, with 

 this view, should avoid such images as are trite 

 and vulgar, yet he should seize those only 

 which are easy and intelligible. Neither poetry 

 nor painting is a proper vehicle for the 

 depths of learning. The painter, therefore. 



