n 6 7 3 



fcenes in nature to delight the eye, befides 

 thofe that may be copied as pictures. This 

 appears to me a very common, but very 

 fallacious argument againft the affinity 

 between painting and improving : all fuch 

 fcenes, with hardly any exception, may be 

 copied as pi6tures, and thofe which make 

 the beft pictures will probably be the mofl 

 beautiful and pleafing fcenes; but then 

 the comparifon muft not be made between 

 a lawn or a pleafure-ground, and a piece 

 of foreft fcenery ; but between two lawns, 

 or two pleafure-grounds : for the effect of 

 all high polifh on the character of fcenery, 

 as on that of the human mind, is to dimi- 

 nifh variety and energy ; and it is hardly 

 necefTary to fay, of what confequence thofe 

 two qualities are in painting. You your- 

 felf are often employed in copying, not 

 only fuch polifhed fcenes as are generally 

 pleafing, though lefs fuited to the canvas, 

 f 2. but 



