But as for the bulk of mankind, they are clearly void of any degree of
taste. It is a quality in which they advance very little beyond a
state of infancy. The first thing a child is fond of in a book is a
picture, the second is a story, and the third a jest. Here then is the
true Pons Asinorum, which very few readers ever get over.
From what I have said it may perhaps be thought to appear that true
taste is the real gift of nature only; and if so, some may ask to what
purpose have I endeavoured to show men that they are without a
blessing which it is impossible for them to attain?
Now, though it is certain that to the highest consummation of taste,
as well as of every other excellence, nature must lend much
assistance, yet great is the power of art, almost of itself, or at
best with only slender aids from nature; and, to say the truth, there
are very few who have not in their minds some small seeds of
taste. "All men," says Cicero, "have a sort of tacit sense of what is
right or wrong in arts and sciences, even without the help of arts."
This surely it is in the power of art very greatly to improve. That
most men, therefore, proceed no farther than as I have above declared,
is owing either to the want of any, or (which is perhaps yet worse) to
an improper education.
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