PART I. 



OF TASTE. 



43 



Ridicule is produced by contraries and incongruities, and 

 excites risible emotions very different from those of taste. 

 Being chiefly applicable to the imitative arts, it is the less 

 connected with the subject of these remarks. 



There are many other epithets or characters of expression 

 belonging to combinations, or even to single modifications ; 

 but they are not so immediately connected with the subject of 

 this work as those which have been noticed. The mind con- 

 forms itself to the nature and appearance of whatever is pre- 

 sented to the senses, and experiences a sensation or impulse 

 analogous to the nature of that object. The idea of that sen- 

 sation is understood by the general term expression ; and the 

 particular conformation or disposition of the parts which pro- 

 duce it is called character. Thus all trees consist of a certain 

 harmonious combination of branches, twigs, and leaves ; but 

 it is the particular conformation of these in each species, which 

 constitutes its character, and gives it expression. Expression 

 is indispensable to every object or scene designed to please ; for, 

 whatever we see or hear, unless it communicate some senti- 

 ment, or excite some particular emotion, we pass it unnoticed ; 

 as the want of such expression implies that it has no commu- 

 nicable feature or character. Whether objects be beautiful or 

 merely useful, we always endeavour to describe their peculiar 

 beauties or uses, that is, their particular expressions. 



