The celebrated Monsieur De Bussy tells us, that when we say a man has a fine or true Taste, no more is meant by those words, than that he has a sound judgment, – a clear head, and a nicely distinguishing capacity in judging of what is really worthy and becoming; and what is not so, whether it be in the choice of his amusements, his equipage, his apparel, the furniture of his house, the covering of his table, or whatever else depends on the direction of the will and fancy.

Now, as every thing is best shewn by its opposite, if the definition given us by the French author of the true Taste be just, as I believe most people will allow it is, to think and act contrary to what he describes, is what we call false Taste; but, in my opinion, to think and do always what is wrong, and at the same time imagine that all we think and do is right, is not of itself sufficient to take in the meaning of the phrase in its full extent; – there must also be added an affectation of being singular, – over curious, – over delicate, – over elegant, – somewhat above the common level of mankind: – in fine, the man of a false Taste must not be a fool of Heaven's making but his own.

The late witty Earl of Rochester has presented us with a very picturesque character of the man of false Taste, in the following most excellent and pathetic lines: