Year: 1870

Taste is that power of the mind which enables
us to discern beauty, excellence, and fitness and
TO take pleasure in them. There are few, if any,
among the readers of the Ledger who would
willingly admit themselves to be deficient in this
respect, and many would prefer TO be accused OF
a dereliction in duty than a violition, in dress,
manners, or conduct, of the principles of good
taste. Yet few take the trouble of studying out
these principles, and of making themselves ia
milar With the grounds upon which they rest.
Some indeed contend that the very great variety
of taste that exists in the world, proves that
there is no standard Of true beauty, and no prin-
ciples, therefore, by which we may designate
taste as good or bad But such an argument
would apply with equal force to standard of
truth or right Prejudice will often foster belief
in absnYdties, and the conscience may be so
warped as to mistake right for wrong butno one
would from this attempt to prove that there IS
no standard by which to judge of the character o.
actions


In every exercise OF taste the judgment is
brought into operation, and decides as TO the ex-
isleGce of beauty or excellence, harmony or ht-
ness As therefore the judgment is variously de-
yeloped in different persons so also will be the
taste, aud the standard OF the one will include
that OF the other


The appreciation of be uly, harmony, or fit
ness implies two things Il belief in some excel
leuce Of perfection Of IT,. object, and a sense of
Measure. Il The excellence that we think we per-
ceive is really there, the feeling OF pleasure is
iusliliahle and our taste is correct. flour judg-
meui he erroneous, and the excellence fancied, not
real. then our taste is at fault. The beauties OF
nature which ali admire, are not only real but
nre found to open up increasing delight, as the
mind hy culture becomes better able to appreci-
ate them. So the finest works Of art give pleas
ure rroporliuued to the ability Of the mind TO
fasen upon the elements Of beauty they contain.
Even where objects appear beautiful al first sight
and we cannot define the reason, though we
ioy The emotion, we yet have cause to believe
that it is rather owing TO our want OF dlscernment
than TO any deficiency of real beauty in the OBJ
ecis themselves. 1t frequently happens that the
instructive feeling OF beauty, at first experienced
without Il reason, is followed in the reflective
mind hy a discovery Of some excellence before
unnoticed. Thus perfectly well-bred person
always produces pleasurabe emotions in those
whom he meets Without analyZing or reason
ing they feel their taste grati6ed, and their in-
terest enlisted. But subsequent reflection con-
vinces them that the source of their pleasure con-
sists in the outward expression of amabe quail
ties Of mind.


Good taste in dress, in like manner, is the re-
suit and The outward sign of good judgment in
regard 10 comfort, convenience, consistency of





bility. 1t was once said of lady, by one who
was Il good Judge in such matters, that she was
attred in such perfect taste that he could not re-
member ANYTHING she had on. The effect OF the
whole costume would have been rendered less
agreeable, if any of its parts had been strik-
ing or prominent. Similar principles apply to
good taste in other directions As politenesS is
The outward sign of amiability, so good taste is
the outward sign of a correct and cultivated
Judgment In whatever is made for an end, the
adaptation of all its parts to that eud is a chief
element OF beauty and good taste and whatever
defeats that end in any measure is in so far de-
formiy. For example, in furnishing dwelling
the chief end is supposed TO be the comfort and
welfare of the occupants But when we see two
thirds of the whole expense laid out in the costly
and luxurious furniture and decorations OF the
drawing room, while that part of the house
where the family chiefly reside presents pinch
ed and mean appearance, we may safely assert
that the end is frustrated, the Judgment that
guided the management was defective, and the
principles of good taste violated.


Whoever desires, then, to possess and to ex-
hibit in dress manners conversation, and ac-
tions, thoroughly good taste, will do we'll to
study its principles, to cultivate bis judgment,
and to adapt his means carefully and wisely to
The ends he has in view. Good taste is not, as
;utne SUPPOSE a III. re scIface matter its Princi
Dles, as we have seen, lie deep down in the foun-
iation of things and those who would rejoice
in its sweet fruit and beauteous flowers, must
not content themselves with merely watering the
leaves, but must dig deep down TO the roots, and
give them due sustenance.