It is art; not spiritual or transcendental art, but solid
art, to be felt and experienced. You may examine it at your
leisure, it will be always ready for you; you need not fast or
watch your arms overnight in order to understand it. Look at the
nice setting of the mortises; mark how the cover fits; how smooth
is the working of that spring drawer. Observe that this bit of
carving, which seemed mere ornament, is really a vital part of the
mechanism. Note, moreover, how balanced and symmetrical the whole
design is, with what economy and foresight every part is fashioned.
It is not only an ingenious structure, it is a handsome bit of
furniture, and will materially improve the looks of the empty
chambers, or disorderly or ungainly chambers that you carry under
your crown. Or if it happen that these apartments are noble in
decoration and proportions, then this captivating little object
will find a suitable place in some spare nook or other, and will
rest or entertain eyes too long focused on the severely sublime and
beautiful. I need not, however, rely upon abstract argument to
support my contention.
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