THE RANDALL FAMILY II5
more struck with the influence a few simple and sublime ideas have over us in controlling and giving form to a mul- titude of impressions. Thus a few laws whose discovery is due to science, such as that of gravitation, that which pro- duces roundness and which has its sublimest example in planetary motion, that which unfolds the convertibility of certain organs into each other as in the metamorphoses of plants and of the Crustacea, that of the principle of life and of the harmony and connection of all organized forms, that of universality as of morals, that of sounds and of colors, etc. etc., — these transcend in their simple sublimity all the efforts of poetry ; and their contemplation, while it inspires, perhaps, a contempt for the ceremonious religions of men, conducts us only to a higher altar where reverence reigns supreme, unmingled with superstition or even selfishness.
I aver it — I do not believe that poetry or any other art, if we except the simple pleasures derived from skill in applying the laws of perspective in drawing, of defini- tion in language, etc. etc., is capable of occupying to its full satisfaction an enlightened mind, except under the domin- ion of these simple and sublime ideas which alike dignify the conceptions in all arts, all sciences. All the matters of rhythm, rhyme, and so forth, are like what people call finish in drawing ; any fool can attain them. But to give character by a few free strokes and touches or expression by a learned arrangement of the lines, or to impress the understanding by the moral force of some prevailing idea, — this can be done only by the artist familiar both with his science and his practice. Does it seem, then, that I have confounded the art with the science, what affects the feel- ings with what occupies the reason ? Very well. I am certain that you yourself will be no more willing to discon- nect them than I ; and I look at your present desire and
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