166 



sophisticated, they have neither the fresh- 

 ness of youth, nor the mellow picturesque 

 character of age; and instead of becom- 

 ing attractive, are only made horribly 

 conspicuous. 



I am afraid it will not be easy to check 

 the general passion for distinctness and 

 conspicuity. Each prospect hunter (a 

 very numerous tribe) like the heroic Ajax, 

 forms but one prayer; 



Let them see but clearly, and see enough, 

 they are content; and much may be said 

 in their favour: composition, grouping, 

 breadth and effect of light and shadow, 

 harmony of colours, &c. are compara- 

 tively attended to and enjoyed by few; 

 but extensive prospects are the most po- 

 pular of all views, and their respective 

 superiority is generally decided by the 

 number of churches and counties. Dis- 

 tinctness is therefore the great point; a 

 painter may wish several hills of bad 

 shapes, and thousands of uninteresting 



