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to shew how nature lias blended a certain 

 portion of the qualities of the picturesque, 

 of roughness, sharpness, &c. in many ol> 

 jects generally allowed to be beautiful, and 

 that the same mixture has been adopted 

 in many of the most approved works or* 

 art : and that although smoothness be the 

 ground-work of beauty, yet that roughness 

 is its fringe and ornament, and that which 

 preserves it from insipidity. I shall now 

 try to point out, what, according to my 

 notions, is the most usual effect of the 

 two qualities, and in what manner rough* 

 ness and smoothness act upon the organs 

 and upon the mind. 



One principal charm of smoothness, 

 whether in a literal or a metaphorical sense, 

 is, that it conveys the idea of repose; 

 roughness, on the contrary, conveys that 

 of irritation, but at the same time of ani- 

 mation, spirit, and variety. This is very 

 strongly exemplified in the sense of hear- 

 ing. Smooth and flowing strains in music* 

 give a pleasing and voluptuous repose to 

 the ear and the mind ; an effect which is 



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