8 



state of the moon, as on any supposed state 

 of the earth when it was first created. What 

 we can reason upon, and what can alone 

 be in any degree to the purpose, is the pro- 

 gressive state of nature which we now ob- 

 serve, and which to us is creation. The 

 most rational way, therefore, of imitating 

 those happy effects, which we most ad<- 

 mire in nature, is to observe the manner in 

 which she progressively creates them, and 

 instead of prescribing to her a set form, 

 one tittle from which she must not pre- 

 sume to vary, we ought so to prepare every 

 thing, that her efforts may point out, what, 

 without such indications, we never can sug- 

 gest to ourselves.* On this most material 

 point, which I shall afterwards endeavour 

 more fully and distinctly to explain, the 

 true method of imitating nature, is found- 

 ed ; and to the total neglect of it, or rather 



* I t can hardly be necessary to say, that I am here con- 

 sidering every thing merely in a picturesque light; and 

 that I am not recommending to those, who think only of 

 profit and convenience, to encourage the effects of acci- 

 dent : they will, with equal reason, no less studiously guard 

 against them, 



