373 



" I observed from the remarks which , 

 both you and Hamilton made on several 

 of the pictures to day, that there may be 

 as much relative harmony between bright 

 colours and the objects round them, as be- 

 tween such as are dingy ; and yet, as it seems 

 to me, the whole tenor of your argument 

 goes to prove, that, with respect to colours, 

 the mere absence of discord, is the great 

 principle of visible beauty; whereas, if 

 there be a positive beauty in any thing, it 

 must be in colours: the general effect, I 

 allow, will not be beautiful without har- 

 mony; but neither can the most perfect 

 accord change the nature of dull or ugly 

 colours, and make them beautiful. No, 

 my dear friend, this negative system of 

 your s is too refined for the generality of 

 mankind; and, as to myself, all that you 

 can say on this point, however I may ad- 

 mire the ingenuity of your arguments, can- 

 not shake my early and inveterate habits." 



" Many of them/' said' Mr. Hamilton, 

 hi are so founded in nature, that we ought 

 not to allow them to be shaken : affid it is 

 VOL. XII. c c 



