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Show T H E COMPOSITION OF BALLETS. 173 Every thing should be rendered so clear, as to be felt and understood. Events ought to be artfully linked together, forming a clue of explanation at once useful and agreeable. It is such a skilful arrangement as this, where every circumstance is disposed exactly where it is required, which is called order. Unfortunately, however, this order, which is so delightful and essential also, to works of taste, is not always to be found in the productions of genius. Imagination often transports us, and the bounds prescribed by reason are then quickly passed. La Bruyere remarks, with his usual discrimination, that it is more easy for a great genius to excel in sublime compositions, than to avoid falling into any error whatever. Art, indeed, is not always the companion of genius. I'he Pleasure arising from Order. It is not sufficient, says Montesquieu, to present a multitude of objects to the mind ; they must be presented with order. Then it is, that w e can remember what is already past, and even imagine what is to come; and our mind congratulates itself on such an extent of its perception : but in a work where there is no order, the mind is continually labouring to introduce some sort of arrangement itself. The end the author has in view, and that which we have formed for ourselves, are thus confounded : the mind remembers nothing and foresees nothing, and becomes stupified by the confusion of her own ideas, and the senselessness of what she beholds; at length, being quite wearied, she is rendered totally incapable of tasting any pleasure ; it is on this account that, though there is not an intentional display of confusion, order introduces itself voluntarily. Thus it is that painters group their figures; if the subject be a battle, they place in the foreground of their pictures whatever objects must be distinctly seen, while the confused part of the picture is shown in the distance. |
