DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.18825#0270
184 of expression. [lect. vii.
liberal mind, from the exclamatory interjections of
the vulgar.
There are some dispositions of mind which cannot
be expressed without assistance, because they do not
agitate the countenance so strongly as to be distin-
guished from others. Avarice, though a violent
inclination, yet requires that its object: should inform
us of its exertion ; for should a head exhibit Desire,
or Fear, it would not therefore pass for a miser ; but
introduce the " God of his idolatry," and the sub-
ject instantly speaks for itself. Ambition may ago-
nize the person who shews no marks of it on his
countenance; and though Pride may be discerned
in the self-importance of a figure, it is much more
forcibly expressed by a coronet on the crutch, or the
genealogical descent from William the Conque-
ror, as Mr. Hogarth has shewn us. I must ac-
knowledge, I consider that painter as one of the
greatest adepts in the art of expression by accompani-
ment; nor do I know more original and significant
examples than are to be found in his works ;
Where more is meant than meets the Eye.
But, there are some passions absolutely beyond
the power of Art—for Art has its boundaries; it may
accomplish many and great things, but it is not
therefore omnipotent.
We are told by Pliny, that " Aris tides, in
painting a town taken by storm, represented an infant
creeping to the breast of its mother, who, though
expiring, yet expressed apprehension and fear lest
2 the
liberal mind, from the exclamatory interjections of
the vulgar.
There are some dispositions of mind which cannot
be expressed without assistance, because they do not
agitate the countenance so strongly as to be distin-
guished from others. Avarice, though a violent
inclination, yet requires that its object: should inform
us of its exertion ; for should a head exhibit Desire,
or Fear, it would not therefore pass for a miser ; but
introduce the " God of his idolatry," and the sub-
ject instantly speaks for itself. Ambition may ago-
nize the person who shews no marks of it on his
countenance; and though Pride may be discerned
in the self-importance of a figure, it is much more
forcibly expressed by a coronet on the crutch, or the
genealogical descent from William the Conque-
ror, as Mr. Hogarth has shewn us. I must ac-
knowledge, I consider that painter as one of the
greatest adepts in the art of expression by accompani-
ment; nor do I know more original and significant
examples than are to be found in his works ;
Where more is meant than meets the Eye.
But, there are some passions absolutely beyond
the power of Art—for Art has its boundaries; it may
accomplish many and great things, but it is not
therefore omnipotent.
We are told by Pliny, that " Aris tides, in
painting a town taken by storm, represented an infant
creeping to the breast of its mother, who, though
expiring, yet expressed apprehension and fear lest
2 the