His daughter flaunts a Viscount's tawdry wife; In Britain's senate he a seat obtains, He must repair it; takes a bribe from France: 395 400 EPISTLE IV. TO RICHARD BOYLE EARL OF BURLINGTON. Of the use of Riches. THE ARGUMENT. THE vanity of expence in people of wealth and quality. The abuse of the word Taste, v. 13. That the first principle and foundation in this, as in every thing else, is good sense, v. 40. The chief proof of it is to follow Nature, even in works of mere luxury and elegance. Instanced in architecture and gardening, where all must be adapted to the genius and use of the place, and the beauties not forced into it, but resulting from it, v. 50. How men are disappointed in their most expensive undertakings for want of this true foundation, without which nothing can please long, if at all; and the best examples and rules will be but perverted into something burthensome and ridiculous, v. 65 to 92. A description of the false taste of magnificence; the first grand error of which is to imagine that greatness consists in the size and dimension, instead of the proportion and harmony, of the whole, v. 97; and the second, either in joining together parts incoherent, or too minutely resembling, or, in the repitition of the same, too frequently, v. 105, &c. A word or two of false Taste in books, in music, in painting, even in preaching and prayer; and, lastly, in entertainments, v. 133, &c.: yet Providence is justified in giving wealth to be squandered in this manner, since it is dispersed to the poor and laborious part of mankind, v. 169. [recurring to what is laid down in the First Book, Ep. ii. and in the Epistle preceding this, v. 159, &c.] What are the proper objects of magnificence, and a proper field for the expence of great men, v. 177, &c. and, finally, the great and public works which become a prince, v. 191, to the end. "TIS strange the miser should his cares employ 5 10 For what has Viro painted, built, and planted? Only to show how many tastes he wanted. What brought Sir Vito's ill got wealth to waste? 15 Some dæmon whisper'd, "Vito! have a taste." Heav'n visits with a taste the wealthy fool, And needs no rod but Ripley with a rule See sportive Fate, to punish aukward pride, Bids Bubo build, and sends him such a guide: A standing sermon at each years expence, That never coxcomb reach'd magnificence! You show us Rome was glorious, not profuse, And pompous buildings once were things of use; Yet shall, my Lord, your just, your noble, rules Fill half the land with imitating fools, 20 25 Who random drawings from your sheets shall take, Load some vain church with old theatric state, Reverse your ornaments, and hang them all On some patch'd doghole ek'd with ends or wall; That lac'd with bits of rustic makes a front; To build, to plant, whatever you intend, 30 35 40 45 50 |