DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.48956#0172
166 BEAUTY OF LANGUAGE. Ch. XVIII.
the second object of no greater size than the first,
the third of no greater size than the second, and
so of the rest; which dirninissieth in appearance
the size of every objedl except the first; but
when, beginning at the greatest object, we pro-
ceed gradually to the least, resemblance makes us
imagine the second as great as the first , and the
third as great as the second; which in appearance
magnifies every objecl except the sirst. On the
other hand , in a series varying by large disferen-
ces, where contrail prevails, the effecls are direfl-
ly opposite: a great objefil lucceeding a small one
os the same kind, appears greater than usual; and
a little objeH lucceeding one that is great, appears
less than usual c. Hence a remarkable pleasure
in viewing a series ascending by large differences;
diredly opposite to what we seel when the differ-
ences are small. The least object of a series as-
cending by large disserences has the same essedl
upon the mind as is it slood single without making
a part of the series; but the second object, by
means of contrail, appears greater than when
viewed singly and apart; and the same effebl is
perceived in ascending progressively, till we arrive
at the last object. The opposite effedl is produced
in descending; for in this direction, every objedl,
except the first, appears less than when viewed se-
parately and independent of the series. We may
h See the reason, chap. 8,
the second object of no greater size than the first,
the third of no greater size than the second, and
so of the rest; which dirninissieth in appearance
the size of every objedl except the first; but
when, beginning at the greatest object, we pro-
ceed gradually to the least, resemblance makes us
imagine the second as great as the first , and the
third as great as the second; which in appearance
magnifies every objecl except the sirst. On the
other hand , in a series varying by large disferen-
ces, where contrail prevails, the effecls are direfl-
ly opposite: a great objefil lucceeding a small one
os the same kind, appears greater than usual; and
a little objeH lucceeding one that is great, appears
less than usual c. Hence a remarkable pleasure
in viewing a series ascending by large differences;
diredly opposite to what we seel when the differ-
ences are small. The least object of a series as-
cending by large disserences has the same essedl
upon the mind as is it slood single without making
a part of the series; but the second object, by
means of contrail, appears greater than when
viewed singly and apart; and the same effebl is
perceived in ascending progressively, till we arrive
at the last object. The opposite effedl is produced
in descending; for in this direction, every objedl,
except the first, appears less than when viewed se-
parately and independent of the series. We may
h See the reason, chap. 8,