107 



The vine leaf has, in* all respects, a 

 strong resemblance to the leaf of the plane; 

 and that extreme richness of effect, which 

 every bocty must be struck with in them 

 both, is greatly owing to those sharp an- 

 gles, to those sudden variations, so con- 

 trary to the idea of beauty when considered 

 by itself. On the other hand, a cluster of 

 fine grapes, in point of form, tint, and light 

 and shadow, is a specimen of unmixed 

 beauty ; and the vine with its fruit, may 

 be cited as one of the most striking in- 

 stances of the union of the two characters, 

 in which, however, that of beauty infinitely 

 prevails; and who will venture to assert, 

 that the charm of the whole would be 

 greater, by separating them ? by taking off 

 all the angles and sharp points, and mak- 

 ing the outline of the leaves, as round and 

 ilowing as that of the fruit ? The effect 

 of these jagged points and angles is more 



* The leaf of the Burgundy vine is rough, and its infe- 

 riority, in point of beauty, to the Smooth-leaved vines, is, 

 I think, very apparent, and clearly owing to that circum- 

 stance. 



