Page:A Dissertation on Reading the Classics and Forming a Just Style.djvu/191

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Taste.
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without an Ear, than without a Genius You can write one. Painting, my Lord, we should think, requireth some Understanding in the Art, and exact Knowledge of the best Masters Manner to be a Judge of it; but this Faculty like the rest is founded in Nature. Knowledge in the Art, and frequent Conversation with the best Originals will certainly perfect a Man's Judgment, but if there is not a natural Sagacity and Aptness, Experience will be of no great Service. A good Taste is an Argument of a great Soul, as well as a lively Wit. It is the Infirmity of poor Spirits to be taken with every Appearance,

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