The color of the ground everywhere
predominated, and I doubt not that, if we could see the earth from
a point sufficiently removed, as from the moon, its ruddy hue, like
that of Mars, would alone be visible.
What is a man but a miniature earth, with many disguises in the way
of manners, possessions, dissemblances? Yet through all--through
all the work of his hands and all the thoughts of his mind--how
surely the ground quality of him, the fundamental hue, whether it
be this or that, makes itself felt and is alone important!
XV
Men follow their noses, it is said. I have wondered why the Greek
did not follow his nose in architecture,--did not copy those arches
that spring from it as from a pier, and support his brow,--but
always and everywhere used the post and the lintel. There was
something in that face that has never reappeared in the human
countenance. I am thinking especially of that straight, strong
profile. Is it really godlike, or is this impression the result of
association? But any suggestion or reminiscence of it in the
modern face at once gives one the idea of strength. It is a face
strong in the loins, or it suggests a high, elastic instep. It is
the face of order and proportion. Those arches are the symbols of
law and self-control. The point of greatest interest is the union
of the nose with the brow,--that strong, high embankment; it makes
the bridge from the ideal to the real sure and easy. All the
Greek's ideas passed readily into form.
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