Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1819 edition. Excerpt: ... ADDRESS, DELIVERED AT THE COMMENCEMENT IN 1813. Young Gentlemen, From receiving the honours, to which, by your habits and proficiency in science, you are now entitled, I will detain you but a short time, by those observations, which have occurred to me, on harmony of character. Whatever be the design in painting or poetry, whether to excite emotions of gloominess or joy, we expect to find, and are dissatisfied at not finding such objects, and such combinations, as, either by their nature, or by the connexion, in which they stand, contribute to the intended effect. If, in the group of objects thus collected, any are found of discordant qualities; if, in a scene, designed to produce joy, any objects are intermixed, tending to excite grief or gloominess; or if, in a scene, designed to excite the latter emotions, we discover any thing gay or ludicrous, the discovery never fails, not only to obstruct the general effect, but likewise to produce pain. These remarks are introduced, for the purpose of illustrating those, in which we are more interested As the general beauty of the natural world consists much in that variety, which is constituted by objects, adapted to different purposes; so the beau'ty and happiness of civil society depend, in no small degree, on that variety of character, which is the result of different pursuits, or of having in view different objects. And as beauty in painting, architecture, or poetry, in natural or artificial scenery, consists much in the parts being so formed and adjusted, as to contribute to that general effect, which is the apparent object of the work; so the beauty of a particular character is greatly heightened, when ah" its parts are discovered to be subservient to that object, whose accomplishment is...
