223 



With respect to form, the feature which 

 most strongly distinguishes the human coun- 

 tenance, from that of all other animals, is 

 the nose. Man is, I believe, the only ani- 

 mal that has a marked projection in the 

 middle of the face; the noses of other ani- 

 mals being either flat, or not placed in that 

 central position. All projections, univer- 

 sally, in all objects, give character ; flatness 

 and insipidity being synonymous j but be- 

 tween those large projections which impress 

 a strongly marked character, and those slight 

 elevations which give scarcely any relief, 

 lies that medium, which in all tilings has the 

 best claim to beauty. The same principles 



than any one of them separately, or than any other union of 

 them : and, for the opposite reason, black, being the ab- 

 sence, or extinction of all colours, ranks below them all. 

 In pearls and diamonds, which are chiefly valuable for the 

 pleasure they give to the sight, pure colourless transpa- 

 rency CGIl§titute§ the highest excellence : and though it 

 might be presumed, that the rich and the tender colours of 

 rubies, emeralds, &c would be more attractive, yet the 

 pure colourless lustre of the diamond, has the preference, 

 The same may, perhaps, be said of the most pure and per- 

 fect statuary marble. 



