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emotions of the swine ? or have wo any reason to think more 
highly of the taste of a peahen ? If we attentively watch the 
actions of these latter, even in the season when the male’s 
plumage is most attractive, we shall easily perceive that a small 
piece of biscuit outweighs in her predilections all the gorgeous 
spectacle that nature has given her in her liege lord; to whom 
her fidelity is only assured by superior strength and masculine 
vigour ; and however great the beauty she relinquishes, she 
quits it all apparently without regret if a stronger rival drives 
her mate from the field, and appropriates her for his own. 
There is no stability in her affection. The peacock, on his 
part, evidently appreciates the qualities of his mate, and relies 
on his strength, and not on his attractions, driving her before 
him with a masterfulness which is amusing' to behold. II se 
pavonne (if I may be allowed to use an untranslatable French 
expression) for his own amusement, and not for her delight. 
The thrill of pleasure accompanying the expansion of his tail 
is in no way dependent on her stolid regard; nor do I believe 
that the range of her visual organs is sufficient to take in at 
once, as we do, the superb spectacle. Certainly the propaga- 
tion of the race would have gone on just as well if the male 
had been as plain in his plumage as the female ; as we may see 
in the sparrows, those birds almost proverbial for their powers 
of multiplication. 
What, then, becomes of the theory of “ sexual selection ” 
in reference to beauty ? It presupposes aesthetic tastes which 
we have no right to suppose to exist, and it is not sustained 
by observation of the actions of the human race, in whom 
these sentiments do certainly exist. 
Nevertheless, it is matter of common observation that these 
do not absolutely dominate the preferences of either sex. 
Those who do not read human nature, may, if they read Hamlet , 
easily unravel this. 
“ Look here, upon this picture and on this.” 
It is notorious that in the animal creation, rank, and to us 
often repulsive, odours, are more attractive than all the beauty 
of Paradise. 
It is not to be supposed that those who advocate a mechanical 
and self-evolving universe should have any delight in the 
beauty of Creation, or see any object in its existence. To 
them it might as well be bounded by straight lines, and dressed 
in universal drab. 
It is otherwise with men of finer minds and of more just 
perceptions. Foremost amongst these, Ruskin thus contrasts 
organic and inorganic nature ; and I shall quote the passage 
