FART III. ARCHITECTURE. 77 



a rustic hut and a doric temple, between the language of a 

 peasant and that of a philosopher; but, in all, simplicity maj 

 be the prevailing characteristic. 



These different degrees of beauty refer principally to the ge- 

 neral effects of an edifice. In the choice of parts, we may find 

 some assistance by attending to such of the elementary qualities 

 of matter as are applicable to buildings. Of forms, for example, 

 we can frequently introduce the most beautiful, as cones, 

 domes, and circles. We can dispose of these in various ways, 

 and produce concealment and intricacy. They may be either 

 hard, soft, rough or smooth, or clear, as in the glass of win- 

 dows. Colours cannot be introduced in great variety in the 

 external parts of buildings, except what is produced by the 

 veins of the stone ; but in the finishing of apartments they 

 may. The other qualities of matter are generally inadmissible. 

 See Chap. II. of the Essay on Taste. 



