DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.18826#0017
i-ECT, I.j ON PERSPECTIVE. 11
Such is the progress of Sight; and similar is the
progress of the Art of Seeing : for there is actually
no little art in seeing, and in understanding the prin-
ciples, the powers, and the connexions, of sighr.
How the sense is performed we have already noticed ;
to explain its principles, is the object of our present
attention ; and when we have attained to just ideas
of these, we shall be, I hope, enabled so to imitate
them, that we may deceive the very organ itself from
whence mey originate : which, in my apprehension,
is the business and the perfection of Perspective.
The sentiment just expressed, implies that how
valuable soever is the sense of sight, like all our
senses, it is subject to be deceived by proper objects,
or combinations of objects: thus, what is flat, shall
appear round, and be estimated to the sight as round;
what is near, shall seem remote ; or, what is distant*
shall be regarded as close to us. For example, were
we not thoroughly certified by other means, a fly
passing rapidly at a few inches before our eyes, might
seem to be an eagle aloft, or an eagle aloft might
■Seem to be a fly near at hand ; and, in the obscurity
of night, how often have we actually mistaken a
bush that was nigh, for a spreading tree at a dis-
tance ; or, a spreading tree at a distance, for a bush
just before us.
In advancing from the Obelisk in St. George's
Fields, toward Black-Fryars Bridge (other similar
situations have the same effect), at a proper distance,
by night, the eye is very easily deceived with respect
to the true stations of the lamps elevated on the
bridge \ not infrequently changing their declination
from
Such is the progress of Sight; and similar is the
progress of the Art of Seeing : for there is actually
no little art in seeing, and in understanding the prin-
ciples, the powers, and the connexions, of sighr.
How the sense is performed we have already noticed ;
to explain its principles, is the object of our present
attention ; and when we have attained to just ideas
of these, we shall be, I hope, enabled so to imitate
them, that we may deceive the very organ itself from
whence mey originate : which, in my apprehension,
is the business and the perfection of Perspective.
The sentiment just expressed, implies that how
valuable soever is the sense of sight, like all our
senses, it is subject to be deceived by proper objects,
or combinations of objects: thus, what is flat, shall
appear round, and be estimated to the sight as round;
what is near, shall seem remote ; or, what is distant*
shall be regarded as close to us. For example, were
we not thoroughly certified by other means, a fly
passing rapidly at a few inches before our eyes, might
seem to be an eagle aloft, or an eagle aloft might
■Seem to be a fly near at hand ; and, in the obscurity
of night, how often have we actually mistaken a
bush that was nigh, for a spreading tree at a dis-
tance ; or, a spreading tree at a distance, for a bush
just before us.
In advancing from the Obelisk in St. George's
Fields, toward Black-Fryars Bridge (other similar
situations have the same effect), at a proper distance,
by night, the eye is very easily deceived with respect
to the true stations of the lamps elevated on the
bridge \ not infrequently changing their declination
from