LOOKING-GLASS. 
15 
ESSAY II. 
On the Dhnenjions of the^^i^idn Body, and Dif 
tinctions, according to Age, Sex, and Country. 
BY fair proportions of the human frame, we un- 
derhand due fymmetry, or juft meafure of each part, 
compared to the whole ; together with their refpec- 
tive connexions, relative to the different ufes of all 
parts. — In this refpeX Nature varies infinitely, as fhe 
does in all her works ; for, comparatively fpeaking 
we find that the fame members will not be found 
of equal fize in two perfons, nor always a man 
without a limb, or fome other particle, ill matched 
with the reft. 
Authors who have treated the art of Painting, 
have laid down fure rules for the purpofe of afcer- 
taining juftly all thofe meafures upon a general 
fcale ; yet the ftandard of excellence, thus formed 
from obfervations, does not only originate in a va- 
riety of good models, but is likewife the effeX of 
true tafte, founded on our innate knowledge of con- 
fcious natural beauty. 
Thus, when Zeuxis was at a lofs how to furnifh 
a piXure of Helen, he reviewed the moft celebrated 
Sicilian beauties j chofe one perfeX leading feature 
from 
