Ο F

CRITICIS M.

VOLUME III. .

EDINBURGH:

Printed for A. MILLAR, London;

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A. KINCAID & J. Bell, Edinburgh.

MDCCLXII.

OMPARISONS, as observed ae

as bove *, serve two different purposes: When addressed to the un

derstanding, their purpose is to instruct; when to the heart, their purpofe

: is to give pleasure. With respect to the latter, a comparison may be employ'd to produce various pleasures by different means. First, by suggesting some unusual

* Chap 8.

A 2

resemblance

1

resemblance or contrast: second, by feta ting an object in the strongest light: third, by associating an object with others that are agreeable : fourth, by elevating an object : and, fifth, by depressing it. And that comparisons may produce various pleasures by these different means, appears from what is said in the chapter above cited ; and will be made still more evident by examples, which Ihall be given after premising some general observations.

An object of one sense cannot be compared to an object of another; for such objects are totally separated from each other, and have no circumstance in common to admit either resemblance or contraft. Objects of hearing may be compared, as also: of taste, and of touch. But the chief fund of comparison are objects of sight; because, in writing or speaking, things can only be compared in idea, and the ideas of visible objects are by far more lively than those of any other fense. : It has no good effect to compare things by way of fimile that are of the same kind, nor to contrast things of different kinds.

The