There are some parts of the human body that are observed to hold certain proportions to each other; but before it can be proved that the efficient cause of beauty lies in these, it must be shown that, wherever these are found exact, the person to whom they belong is beautiful:  I mean in the effect produced on the view, either of any member distinctly considered, or of the whole body together.  It must be likewise shown, that these parts stand in such a relation to each other, that the comparison between them may be easily made, and that the affection of the mind may naturally result from it.  For my part, I have at several times very carefully examined many of those proportions, and found them hold very nearly, or altogether alike in many subjects, which were not only very different from one another, but where one has been very beautiful, and the other very remote from beauty.  With regard to the parts which are found so proportioned, they are often so remote from each other, in situation, nature, and office, that I cannot see how they admit of any comparison, nor consequently how any effect owing to proportion can result from them.  The neck, say they, in beautiful bodies, should measure with the calf of the leg; it should likewise be twice the circumference of the wrist.  And an infinity of observations of this kind are to be found in the writings and conversations of many.  But what relation has the calf of the leg to the neck; or either of these parts to the wrist?  These proportions are certainly to be found in handsome bodies.  They are as certainly in ugly ones; as any who will take the pains to try may find.  Nay, I do not know but they may be least perfect in some of the most beautiful.  You may assign any proportions you please to every part of the human body; and I undertake that a painter shall religiously observe them all, and notwithstanding produce, if he pleases, a very ugly figure.  The same painter shall considerably deviate from these proportions, and produce a very beautiful one.  And, indeed, it may be observed in the masterpieces of the ancient and modern statuary, that several of them differ very widely from the proportions of others, in parts very conspicuous and of great consideration; and that they differ no less from the proportions we find in living men, of forms extremely striking and agreeable.  And after all, how are the partisans of proportional beauty agreed amongst themselves about the proportions of the human body?  Some hold it to be seven heads; some make it eight; whilst others extend it even to ten:  a vast difference in such a small number of divisions!  Others take other methods of estimating the proportions, and all with equal success.  But are these proportions exactly the same in all handsome men? or are they at all the proportions found in beautiful women?  Nobody will say that they are; yet both sexes are undoubtedly capable of beauty, and the female of the greatest; which advantage I believe will hardly be attributed