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 retard 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.10Congruity and propriety,22
Ch.11Dignity and meanness,227
Ch.12Ridicule,240
Ch.13Wit,258
Ch.14Custom and habit,280
Ch.15External signs of emotions and passions,2116
Ch.16Sentiments,2149
Ch.17Language of passion,2204
Ch.18Beauty of language,2234
Ch.19Comparisons,33
Ch.20Figures,353
Ch.21Narration and description,3169
Ch.22Epic and dramatic compositions,3218
Ch.23The three unities,3259
Ch.24Gardening and architecture,3294
Ch.25Standard of taste,3351
Appendix,3375
[Index to Volume I.]

In describing the scale of sounds made in pronouncing the five vowels, vol. 2. p. 239. it ought to have been mentioned, that the letter i must be pronounced as in the word interest, and other words beginning with the syllable in; the letter e as in persuasion; and the letter u as in number.