DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.18825#0051
LECT. II.] HISTORY OF ART. 41
Groenlander in his hut, the Siberian in his cave ;
mountains of ice, monsters of the deep : the bite of
the rattle-snake, the sting of the scorpion, strike us
with no dread ; nor are we exposed to inconvenien-
cies, though examining the manners of the Chinese,
or the Hottentot. No wonder an art so universally
useful, should be admired and distinguished as one
of the highest embellishments of human life !
Upon the whole, and to pass over much that
might be said, I venture to assert, that the Arts may
justly be considered as blessings to mankind, when
engaged in their proper sphere of usefulness; that
they have been sometimes otherwise, arises not from
any evil in themselves, but from their having been
abused by the corrupt passions of individuals; no
one regrets more sincerely than myself, that prosti-
tution which at some periods tney have suffered ;
nevertheless, the abuse of these sciences should not
prevent our respecting them for their services.
The Arts owe their rise to supe rfluity, but are in-
debted for their cultivation to good sense; hence
they have always kept pace with learning; for in
proportion as mankind became exonerated from ig-
norance and fear, and sensible of the blessings of
civilized life, they applied themselves to these
elegant recreations: thus have their manners been
polished, and innocent and peaceful pleasures have
succeeded to violent and savage pastimes. What
numbers are now amused and entertained by these
delightful studies ! nor are they less improved, and
benefited, than amused and entertained, for surely,
to be able to design on the c-pot a striking prospect,.
Edit. 7. G or
Groenlander in his hut, the Siberian in his cave ;
mountains of ice, monsters of the deep : the bite of
the rattle-snake, the sting of the scorpion, strike us
with no dread ; nor are we exposed to inconvenien-
cies, though examining the manners of the Chinese,
or the Hottentot. No wonder an art so universally
useful, should be admired and distinguished as one
of the highest embellishments of human life !
Upon the whole, and to pass over much that
might be said, I venture to assert, that the Arts may
justly be considered as blessings to mankind, when
engaged in their proper sphere of usefulness; that
they have been sometimes otherwise, arises not from
any evil in themselves, but from their having been
abused by the corrupt passions of individuals; no
one regrets more sincerely than myself, that prosti-
tution which at some periods tney have suffered ;
nevertheless, the abuse of these sciences should not
prevent our respecting them for their services.
The Arts owe their rise to supe rfluity, but are in-
debted for their cultivation to good sense; hence
they have always kept pace with learning; for in
proportion as mankind became exonerated from ig-
norance and fear, and sensible of the blessings of
civilized life, they applied themselves to these
elegant recreations: thus have their manners been
polished, and innocent and peaceful pleasures have
succeeded to violent and savage pastimes. What
numbers are now amused and entertained by these
delightful studies ! nor are they less improved, and
benefited, than amused and entertained, for surely,
to be able to design on the c-pot a striking prospect,.
Edit. 7. G or