Ossian Collection > Poems of Ossian > Volume 3

226 A CRITICAL DISSERTATION
that I ftiould be fomewhat particular in my
remarks upon them.
A poetical fimile always fuppofes twQ
objedls brought together, between which
there is fome near relation or connc61ion in
the fancy. What that relatioR ought to
be, cannot be precifely defined. For va-
rious, almoft numberlefs, are the analogies
formed among objefts, by a fpriglitly ima-
gination. The relation of a6tual fimilitude,
or likenefs of appearance, is far from being
the only foundation of poetical compari-
fon. Sometimes a refemblance in the ef-
fect produced by two obje61s, is made the
conneding principle ; fometimes a refem-
blance In one diftinguilliing property or cir-
cumllance. Very often two obje6ts are
brought together in a fimile, though they
refem.ble one another, ftriftly fpeaking, in
nothing only becaufe they raife in the mind
a train of fimilar, and what may be called,
concordant ideas j fo that the remembrance
of the one, when recalled, ferves to quicken
and heighten the impreffiou made by the o-
ther. Thus, to give an inftance from our
poet, the pleafure with which an old man
looks back on the exploits of his youth,
has certainly no dire(R: refemblance to the
beauty of a fine evening, farther than that
both agree in producing a certain calm, pla-
cid joy. Yet OlTian has founded upon
this, one of the moft beautiful comparifons