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tions (by the way) must partake of the colours of those things from
whence they are produced.^
Any of the several species of colours may be as beautiful in
their kinds as the others, but one kind is more so than another, as
having more variety, and considing of colours more pleasing in their
own nature; in which, and the harmony, and agreement of one
tint with another, the goodness of colouring consi sts.
To shew the beauty of variety I will inslance in a gelder-rose,
which is white; but having many leaves one under another, and
lying hollow so as to be seen through in some places, which oc-
casions several tints of light and shadow ; and together with these
some of the leaves having a greenish tint, all together produce
that variety which gives a beauty not to be found in this paper,
though it is white, nor in the infide of an egg-shell though whiter,
nor in any other white object that has not that variety.
And this is the case, though this flower be seen in a room in
gloomy, or wet weather; but let it be exposed to the open air when
the sky is serene, the blue that those leaves, or parts of leaves that
lie open to it will receive, together with the reflections that then
will also happen to slrike upon it, will give a great addition to its
beauty : but let the sunbeams touch upon its leaves where they can
reach with their fine yellowish tint, the other retaining their sky-
blue, together with the shadows, and brisk reslections it will then re-
ceive, and then you will see what a perfection of beauty it will have,
not only because the colours are more pleasant in themselves, but
there is greater variety.
A sky entirely blue would have less beauty than it has being
always varied towards the horizon, and by the sunbeams whether
rising, setting, or in its progress; but neither has it that beauty as
when more varied with clouds tinged with yellow, white, purple, &c.
A piece of silk, or cloth hung, or laid slat, has not the beauty,
though the colour of it be pleasing, as when flung into folds; nay,
a piece