C *43 3 



fteephill. That is, (if I comprehend it) the 

 immediate and uninterrupted progrefs of the 

 defcent; for the general effect of looking 

 down from a height on lower objects, has 

 been perpetually exprefled in painting. This 

 deficiency of the art (fuch as it is) has been 

 frequently cited as an argument againft the 

 affinity between painting and landfcape gar- 

 dening ; but in what manner it applies, I 

 have not been able to difcover. If it could 

 be proved, that in the eye of a lover of paint- 

 ing, what was incapable of being exprefled 

 upon canvas, was therefore incapable of giv- 

 ing pleafure, the argument would be un- 

 anfwerable ; it otherwife hardly deferves an 

 anfwer. As lovers of painting (unlefs I am 

 ftrangely miftaken) never judge by fo abfurd 

 a rule, but by the general principles of the 

 art, the only queftron will be, whether thofe 

 general principles can be applied to a view 

 down a fteep hill, though it be incapable of 



being 



