THE opinions discussed separately in the Timely Appeal,
referred to a spirit of censure; and a particular reason mentioned that justified the Author in undertaking the -works: p. 1.-Intended to deduce again from censure itself other opinions equally to be avoided, in trying its justice by Burke's philosophy: p. 3.-Explanatory remarks on some passages and opinions of the former work, as previously necessary; First, on the lawful- ness of religious liberality: p. 4.-Secondly, the pro- priety of permitting the bare existence, under regula- tion, of ridicule, and the danger of mistaking either seriousness or plausibility, for wisdom and virtue : p. 10. Thirdly, the consistency with Christianity of a strong love of justice, and, in consequence, a careful attention to the scale of merit it recommends, though only considered as means of benefiting society accord- ing to the suggestions of science: p. 18.-The chief subject of the work introduced, by minutely describ- ing an opinion of the character and merits of Burke, to
whom, besides the obligations of all to him, the Author's family boasts particular ones, in former justice done by him to proprietary governments, particularly Pennsyl- vania; which recommend the demonstration of respect, for which the present opportunity offers: p. 27.-The mistakes of the moral theories of this century, in found- ing virtue upon either sublimity or beauty to be shewn by Burke's philosophy: p. 32.-His system intended, in the subsequent parts of the work, to be applied to taste as well as morals; both being acknowledged to have suffered from enthusiasm: p. 34.-Our three principal passions, according to it, Sympathy, Imi- tation, and Ambition, exemplified in their effects; and in theology, as the principal science. Abelard 'slightly mentioned. Warburton instanced, not only to shew their operation, but improper restraint, though respect finally compensated for it a p. 35. The cha- racters of men and things proposed to be arranged un- der similar heads to those in Professor Kant's Essay, sur le Beau et le Sublime; but referring the former to them, not as of different nations, but as of different tempers and dispositions, and the reason of rejecting his mode; also such other heads superadded as Burke's Essay furnishes, and in the order which they all there ¡ preserve.ie ba Novelty.] Peculiar kinds of pleasure and displeasure evidently allied to all these qualities; and those which belong to novelty shewan by examples: p. 44.-Some, less universal opinions of the Author, interpreting the applicability of the principles, both here and elsewhere rarely interspersed, but not altering the general idea of them; and their propriety left to be decided upon by good sense and good taste: p. 46. To be inferred,
as in the fair sex, though in a harmless degree, from an acknowledged propensity to it; the mind always following its object. P. 47. Sublimity.] Some light thrown on Burke's system, by Mr. Price: ib. His opinion contested, that the Pic- turesque, as explained by him, is distinguished from the Sublime; both being founded on ideas of self- preservation; particularly shewn in Note I. Appen- dix; where remarks of Gibbon and Longinus are con- sidered; and it is observed the word Picturesque might either preserve its old sense, in which it is used by Mr. Gilpin, or describe according to the new one, a species of the Sublime. But in this case Dr. Priestley's distinction, or any other that may be made, proper to be observed too in classing the species: p. 48.-Ex- amples of this quality, both of a good and bad sort: p. 49. In the note, a recommendation not systemati- cally to find fault with a boldness and presumption' of style in poetry, where the "manners painting" lan- guage that is affected, is out of place. As a preserva- tive against this error, among others, it is recommended to encourage, at least till better times, the literature of Greece, Italy, and England, where the greatest works have been produced, much more than that of Germany, and even of France; and a recent plan re- commended which has this in view. Beauty.] Examples of it, both of a good and bad kind. P. 52. Fitness.] An argument of Burke supported to prove it distinct from Beauty, besides others in Note III. Appendix, where Mr. Alison's opinions are consi- dered: p. 54.-The nature of virtue described as be- longing wholly to Fitness, and no other quality; faith
and works being commendable, because right in
themselves, and not because flattering to our taste:
P. 55.-Opinions of Helvetius, and a comparison of
Cæsar and Cicero; the former having more, taste in
his moral character, and the latter more virtue: yet the
taste or attractiveness of the qualities of any one to be
allowed their full value, and even affirmed often to
instance, in their possessors, the observance of the
two great Christian precepts-to do to others as we
would they should do to us, and to love our neighbour
as ourself: p. 58.-Examples of fitness in individual
characters, which merit praise or disapprobation, and
are less rare in this country. p. 61.
Defect and deformity.] Frequent instances of the idea
of defect not meriting disgust or disapprobation, and,
as Burke shews, sometimes causing the sensation pro-
duced by beauty. Often this seeming inconsistency,
obviously owing to the fallibility of human reason, as in
the first good example: p. 65.-The Author's dramatic
attempt, as explained fully in Note IV. Appendix,
not upon a principle that disallows this: p. 68.-The
bad example most dwelt upon, the German drama.
Its faults much owing to a misapprehension of the
laudable tenet of Johnson and Lessing, that the man-
ners of nature should be preferred to the manners of
custom: p. 69.-The more material fault of its im-
morality, instanced in the Stranger. P. 74.
Ugliness.] The distinction noticed between pure ugli- ness and ugly deformity: p. 77.-This shewn in Note V. Appendix, at length, where the nature of fitness is explained in disproving the arguments of Gibbon in his critique of Burke's treatise; though jus- tice is done to his merits, and the solidity of some of his
opinions. In the same Note, other instances of the
value of fitness in the fine arts; first, in architecture;
secondly, in the difference between landscape garden-
ing and landscape painting; thirdly, in that between
the arts of the dramatic poet and the maitre de ballet;
to illustrate which, an admired scene in the transla-
tion of the Robbers, is rated somewhat lower than it
has been accustomed to be. The subject of the beauty
of virtue occurring in it, that is discussed, in criticiz-
ing a passage of it, and some of the play of Pizarro.
This Note giving a sort of epitome of Burke's philo.
sophy, both the use and safety of its application to
taste and morals are affirmed, and the freedom used
in the execution of the plan justified. The Note re-
ferred to from p. 78.
Mediocrity.] Mediocrity described, not only in regard to the effect of ideas themselves, but of their succes- sion; for general mediocrity seems incompatible with either of them. Superiority of intellect not more dis- coverable by their effect on the passions, than on the reason. This apparently ill understood by those who have puffed the race of poets within these twenty years, to induce them to write against existing governments; and possibly, the most enthusiastic part of Longinus referred to in the conversations of literati with that view: p. 80.-Recommended, if genius is encouraged, always to let it be the most undoubted; and not to prefer secondary poets, to those of greater merit in other lines, if we have not the same use for such poets, as revolutionists have: p. 81.-Yet the man of perfect mediocrity, who is unpretending, as valu- able, and, from the existence of this quality, as much in nature, as the other characters can be; resembling
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