nsequence from the company in which we have been used to see
them. As Greece and Rome are the fountains from whence have flowed all
kinds of excellence, to that veneration which they have a right to claim
for the pleasure and knowledge which they have afforded us, we
voluntarily add our approbation of every ornament and every custom that
belonged to them, even to the fashion of their dress. For it may be
observed that, not satisfied with them in their own place, we make no
difficulty of dressing statues of modern heroes or senators in the
fashion of the Roman armour or peaceful robe; we go so far as hardly to
bear a statue in any other drapery.

The figures of the great men of those nations have come down to us in
sculpture. In sculpture remain almost all the excellent specimens of
ancient art. We have so far associated personal dignity to the persons
thus represented, and the truth of art to their manner of representation,
that it is not in our power any longer to separate them. This is not so
in painting; because, having no excellent ancient portraits, that
connection was never formed. Indeed, we could no more venture to paint a
general officer in a Roman military habit, than we could make a statue in
the present uniform. But since we have no ancient portraits, to show how
ready we are to adopt those kind of prejudices, we make the best
authority among the moderns serve the same purpose. The great variety of
excellent portraits with which Vandyke has enriched this nation, we are
not content to admire for their real excellence, but extend our
approbation even to the dress which happened to be the fashion of that
age. We all very well remember how common it was a few years ago for
portraits to be drawn in this Gothic dress, and this custom is not yet
entirely laid aside. By this means it must be acknowledged very ordinary
pictures acquired something of the air and effect of the works of
Vandyke, and appeared therefore at first sight to be better pictures than
they really were; they appeared so, however, to those only who had the
means of making this association, for when made, it was irresistible. But
this association is nature, and refers to that Secondary truth that comes
from conformity to general prejudice and opinion; it is therefore not
merely fantastical. Besides the prejudice which we have in favour of
ancient dresses, there may be likewise other reasons, amongst which we
may justly rank the simplicit