31 
of the warm and cold colours, the latter of which, if summed up, bear just 
a double proportion to the warm, reckoning green in ; for there are of the cold 
240, of the warm 120 degrees; and, I believe, the nearer this proportion is 
kept to, in a picture, the more harmonious it will be. 
It sometimes happens that a picture consists of several different masses ; 
in that case, the pure prismatic colours, with their several compound light 
and shade tints, should occupy the first mass. The second is composed of 
double compound tints; the third, of still more obscure ones : a table for 
forming all which I shall add at the conclusion. When a picture is com¬ 
posed of only one mass, all the colours, both pure and compound, in their 
several degrees, may also^jje introduced; and it will, in either case, have all 
the force and effect that Js in the power of colours to give. But I must 
here observe, that a picture composed of one mass, will never please the 
eye, in point of contour, so well as one that consists of several different 
ones ;—for distance* always lends beauty to the view : therefore, if obliged to 
have only one, I should, if possible, contrive to break it so as to produce 
the above effect as far as I could. 
It frequently happens that a picture is composed of objects that have not 
one pure tint in them ; in that case, they cannot have the same brilliancy, or 
force of effect; they are unavoidably more obscure, that is, less striking; 
but still may be in perfect harmony, if arranged by the same rule as the pure 
colours, and in the same proportion as aforesaid, but they will never come 
so forward to the eye; the strongest effect of light and shade and contrast 
altogether, will not force the compound tints so forward as the same degree 
of light and shade contrast will the pure unmixed prismatic ones, which 
plainly shews the latter are fittest for a prominent place, when you are at 
liberty to introduce a full assemblage of them. Prom the foregoing it will 
appear, that to form a good picture is not the work of mere fancy, there 
* “ ’T is distance lends inchantment to the view, 
“ And robes the mountain in its azure hue.” 
Pleasures of Hope. 
