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43            ANALYSIS of BEAUTY. 
degrees, but its variations, tho' very curious when you 
are near them, not being quite fo bold, and diffind, as 
thofe of Bow, it too loon loofes variety at a diftance. 
Some gothic fpires are finely and artfully varied, parti- 
cularly the famous fleeple of Strafburg. 
Weftminiler-Abbey is a good contraft to St. Paul's, 
with regard to fimplicity and diflin&nefs, the great 
number of its filligrean ornaments, and fmall divided and 
fubdivided parts appear confufed when nigh, and are 
totally lot at a moderate diftance; yet there is never- 
thelefs fuch a confiftency of parts altogether in a good 
gothic talte, and fuch propriety relative to the gloomy 
ideas, they were then calculated to convey, that they 
have at length acquir'd an eftablifh'd and diftin6t cha- 
raafter in building. It would be look'd upon as an im- 
propriety and as a kind of profanation to build places 
for mirth and entertainment in the fame tate. 
CHAP.        IX. 
Of COMPOSITION with the WAVING-LINE. 
T   HERE is fcarce a room in any houfe whatever, 
where one does not fee the waving-line employ'd in 
fome way or other. How inelegant would the fhapes 
of all our moveables be without it? how very plain and 
unornamental the mouldings of cornices, and chimney- 
pieces, without the variety introduced by the ogee mem- 
ber, which is entirely compofed of waving-lines. 
Though