| Fig. 98. |
I give one more example from another leaf of the same manuscript, [Fig. 99], merely to show the variety introduced by the old designers between page and page. And, in general, the reader may take it for a settled law that, whatever can be done by machinery, or imitated by formula, is not worth doing or imitating at all.
§ 20. The quantity of admissible transgression of law varies with the degree in which the ornamentation involves or admits imitation of nature. Thus, if these ivy leaves in [Fig. 99] were completely drawn in light and shade, they would not be properly connected with the more or less regular sequences of the scroll; and in every subordinate ornament, something like complete symmetry may be admitted, as in bead mouldings, chequerings, &c. Also, the ways in which the transgression may be granted vary infinitely; in the finest compositions it is perpetual, and yet so balanced and atoned for as always to bring about more beauty than if there had been no transgression. In a truly fine mountain or organic line, if it is looked at in detail, no one would believe in its being a continuous curve, or being subjected to any fixed law. It seems broken, and bending a thousand ways; perfectly free and wild, and yielding to every impulse. But, after following with the eye three or four of its impulses, we shall begin to trace some strange order among them; every added movement will make the ruling intent clearer; and when the whole life of the line is revealed at last, it will be found to have been, throughout, as obedient to the true law of its course as the stars in their orbits.
| Fig. 99. |
§ 21. Thus much may suffice for our immediate purpose The four systems of mountain line. respecting beautiful lines in general. We have now to consider the particular groups of them belonging to mountains.
The lines which are produced by course of time upon hill contours are mainly divisible into four systems.
1. Lines of Fall. Those which are wrought out on the solid mass by the fall of water or of stones.
2. Lines of Projection. Those which are produced in débris by the bounding of the masses, under the influence of their falling force.
3. Lines of Escape. Those which are produced by the spreading of débris from a given point over surfaces of varied shape.