There is nothing more curious, at least in my opinion, in the history of the animal man, than to observe the various resources which he has, and the varied efforts that he makes, to supply the encreased extended demands of his advancing civilization. The first progress of his powers is the most rapid, and the wisest, as founded in use and reason. But after the purposes of real use are answered, and he finds himself at ease, imagination and caprice take the lead in his devices. Having got above the necessity of attending to bare uses, every thing that is absurd and deformed comes into model; the more deformed it is, and the more deviating from nature, common sense, and plain use, the more it strikes him as ingenious, and having the merit of invention. Such are the barbarous and grotesque models of all nations and people in this second stage of their advancing civilization. This principle of conceited imagination operates through all uniformly under the like circumstances in thus deviating from reason founded on use, and in thus deforming nature.