440 



bunches of grapes : these with their leaves^ 

 and the branches on which they hung, were 

 suspended over a small wooden frame in 

 such a manner, that the frame was con- 

 cealed, while the fruit and foliage were 

 displayed to the greatest advantage. They 

 were all delighted with the fruit itself, and 

 with its arrangement ; and they agreed 

 that nothing could be more truly beautiful 

 than the whole effect. 



" I desire," said Mr. Howard, " that you 

 will look at the bread as well as the fruit, 

 for according to Hamilton's doctrines, there 

 never was so truly picturesque a loaf ; at 

 least I never saw one so full of cracks, 

 roughnesses, and inequalities : all of which 

 I acknowledge are very inviting to the 

 taste, whatever effect they may produce 

 on the pleasures of vision distinctly consi- 

 dered/' 



" I am much obliged to you," said Mr. 

 Hamilton, " for putting me in mind of a 

 passage I was reading a little time ago, and 

 which, I believe, in all our disputes I never 

 tnentioned to you: you will be surprised to 



