PART I. OF TASTE. 41 



scenery of parks ; or a few wild gipsies scattered among the 

 dressed villagers at a wake or fair. Wildness is an exquisite 

 beauty, and will increase in rarity in proportion as countries 

 become cultivated and the people civilized. Then it will have 

 more of the charms of novelty in addition to its intrinsic sua- 

 vity : it differs from savageness, in presenting more serenity 

 and fertility, and less rugged sublimity. 



Tranquillity is a term applied to such objects or scenes 

 as, when viewed, leave the mind in a state of rest. Still- 

 ness, seclusion, and solitude, are requisite for producing this 

 effect. 



Melancholy. — Unity, and simplicity either in form or co- 

 lour, with a marked appearance of drooping and dejection, are 

 called melancholy, from the relation between their appearance, 

 and the state of the mind when under that disease ; as in the 

 weeping willow. Solemnity is nearly allied to it, as in the yew 

 and cypress. In lines it is indicated by such as are straight de- 

 generating into circular ones ; as may be seen in high walls bent 

 or twisted, or large ruins. It is striking in the river front of 

 Warwick castle, from these causes. 



Age and Ruin, whether of animated nature, trees, or build- 

 ings, have expressions peculiar to themselves. Painters com- 



