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                               ELEMENTS

                                  OF

                              CRITICISM.

                           In THREE VOLUMES.


                               VOLUME I.


                              EDINBURGH:

                    Printed for A. MILLAR, London;

                                  AND

                   A. KINCAID & J. BELL, Edinburgh,





                                TO THE

                                 KING.


                                 SIR,

The fine arts have ever been encouraged by wise princes, not singly for
private amusement, but for their beneficial influence in society. By
uniting different ranks in the same elegant pleasures, they promote
benevolence: by cherishing love of order, they inforce submission to
government: and by inspiring delicacy of feeling, they make regular
government a double blessing.

THESE considerations embolden me to hope for your Majesty’s patronage in
behalf of the following work, which treats of the fine arts, and
attempts to form a standard of taste by unfolding those principles that
ought to govern the taste of every individual.

IT is rare to find one born with such delicacy of feeling, as not to
need instruction: it is equally rare to find one so low in feeling, as
not to be capable of instruction. And yet, to refine our taste with
respect to beauties of art or of nature, is scarce endeavoured in any
seminary of learning; a lamentable defect, considering how early in life
taste is susceptible of culture, and how difficult to reform it if
unhappily perverted. To furnish materials for supplying that defect, was
an additional motive for the present undertaking.

TO promote the fine arts in Britain, has become of greater importance
than is generally imagined. A flourishing commerce begets opulence; and
opulence, inflaming our appetite for pleasure, is commonly vented on
luxury and on every sensual gratification: Selfishness rears its head;
becomes fashionable; and infecting all ranks, extinguishes the _amor
patriæ_ and every spark of public spirit. To prevent or to <DW44> such
fatal corruption, the genius of an Alfred cannot devise any means more
efficacious, than venting opulence upon the fine arts. Riches so
employ’d, instead of encouraging vice, will excite both public and
private virtue. Of this happy effect, ancient Greece furnishes one
shining instance; and why should we despair of another in Britain?

IN the commencement of an auspicious reign, and even in that early
period of life when pleasure commonly is the sole pursuit, your Majesty
has uniformly display’d to a delighted people, the noblest principles,
ripened by early culture; and for that reason, you will be the more
disposed to favour every rational plan for advancing the art of training
up youth. Among the many branches of education, that which tends to make
deep impressions of virtue, ought to be a fundamental measure in a
well-regulated government: for depravity of manners will render
ineffectual the most salutary laws; and in the midst of opulence, what
other means to prevent such depravity but early and virtuous discipline?
The British discipline is susceptible of great improvements; and if we
can hope for them, it must be from a young and accomplished Prince,
eminently sensible of their importance. To establish a complete system
of education, seems reserved by providence for a Sovereign who commands
the hearts of his subjects. Success will crown the undertaking, and
endear GEORGE THE THIRD to our latest posterity.

The most elevated and most refined pleasure of human nature, is enjoy’d
by a virtuous prince governing a virtuous people; and that, by
perfecting the great system of education, your Majesty may very long
enjoy this pleasure, is the ardent wish of

                            Your Majesty’s

                           Devoted Subject,

                              HENRY HOME.




CONTENTS.


                                        _Vol. Pag._
_Introduction_,                            1    1

Ch. 1. _Perceptions and ideas in a
          train_,                          1   21

Ch. 2. _Emotions and passions_,            1   42

Ch. 3. _Beauty_,                           1  241

Ch. 4. _Grandeur and sublimity_,           1  264

Ch. 5. _Motion and force_,                 1  309

Ch. 6. _Novelty, and the unexpected
            appearance of objects_,        1  319

Ch. 7. _Risible objects_,                  1  337

Ch. 8. _Resemblance and contrast_,         1  345

Ch. 9. _Uniformity and variety_,           1  380

Ch. 10. _Congruity and propriety_,         2    3

Ch. 11. _Dignity and meanness_,            2   27

Ch. 12. _Ridicule_,                        2   40

Ch. 13. _Wit_,                             2   58

Ch. 14. _Custom and habit_,                2   80

Ch. 15. _External signs of emotions
             and passions_,                2  116

Ch. 16. _Sentiments_,                      2  149

Ch. 17. _Language of passion_,             2  204

Ch. 18. _Beauty of language_,              2  234

Ch. 19. _Comparisons_,                     3    3

Ch. 20. _Figures_,                         3   53

Ch. 21. _Narration and description_,       3  169

Ch. 22. _Epic and dramatic compositions_,  3  218

Ch. 23. _The three unities_,               3  259

Ch. 24. _Gardening and architecture_,      3  294

Ch. 25. _Standard of taste_,              