kin.]

And the error respecting this faculty is, that its function is one of
falsehood, that its operation is to exhibit things as they are _not_,
and that in so doing it mends the works of God.

Sec. 11. Object of the present section.

Now, as these are the two faculties to which I shall have occasion
constantly to refer during that examination of the ideas of beauty and
relation on which we are now entering, because it is only as received
and treated by these, that those ideas become exalted and profitable, it
becomes necessary for me, in the outset, to explain their power and
define their sphere, and to vindicate, in the system of our nature,
their true place for the intellectual lens and moral retina by which and
on which our informing thoughts are concentrated and represented.

FOOTNOTES

[1] Tintoret. (Ridolfi. Vita.)

[2] We live by admiration, hope, and love. (Excursion, Book IV.)

[3] Rom. xii. 9.

[4] The extent of ravage among works of art, or of historical
interest, continually committing throughout the continent may,
perhaps, be in some measure estimated from the following facts, to
which the experience of every traveller may add indefinitely:

At Beauvois--The magnificent old houses supported on columns of
workmanship (so far as I recollect) unique in the north of France,
at the corner of the market-place, have recently been destroyed for
the enlarging of some ironmongery and grocery warehouses. The arch
across the street leading to the cathedral has been destroyed also,
for what purpose, I know not.

At Rouen--The last of the characteristic houses on the quay is now
disappearing. When I was last there, I witnessed the destruction of
the noble gothic portal of the church of St. Nicholas, whose
position interfered with the courtyard of an hotel; the greater part
of the ancient churches are used as smithies, or warehouses for
goods. So also at Tours (St. Julien). One of the most interesting
and superb pieces of middle-age domestic architecture in Europe,
opposite the west front of the cathedral, is occupied as a cafe, and
its lower story concealed by painted wainscotings; representing, if
I recollect right, twopenny rolls surrounded by circles of admiring
cherubs.

At Geneva--The wooden projections or loggias which were once the
characteristic feature of the city, have been entirely removed
w