106 '^ 



Ornaments alwavs bc uscful ; Oil tlic Contrary, many 

 Hscful"^^^^ of those productions of the poHte arts 

 which are most admired, are now merely 

 considered as ornaments, Mdthout any 

 reference to their original uses. This is 

 confessedly the case with works of paint- 

 ing and sculpture (except in that inferior 

 branch of each which relates to portraits); 

 for whatever might be the original uses 

 of pictures or statues, they are now only 

 considered as ornaments, which by their 

 number and excellence distinguish the 

 taste, the wealth, and dignity of their 

 possessors. To use these internal marks 

 of distinction only might be prudent in 

 those countries where it would be dan- 

 gerous to display any external ornaments 

 of grandeur: but rank and affluence are 

 not crimes in England; on the contrary, 

 we expect to see a marked difference in 

 the style, the equipage, and the mansions 

 of wealthy individuals; and this difference 

 must also be extended to the grounds in 

 the neighbourhood of their mansions; 

 since congruity of style and unity of cha- 

 racter are amongst the first principles of 



