Among other things, I shall not scruple to deliver a new method of assisting the Invention; which tho' trifling in appearance may yet be of considerable service, in opening the mind, and putting it upon the Scent of new Thoughts; and 'tis this; if you look at some old Wall covered with dirt, or the odd appearance of some streak'd Stones, you may discover several things like Landskips, Battles, Clouds, uncommon*Attitudes, humorous Faces, Draperies, &c. out of this confused Mass of Objects, the Mind will be furnish'd with abundance of Designs, and Subjects, perfectly new.

* Attitude implies little more than Action and Posture; tho' it is sometimes used where neither of these would be proper: for Instance, Action is not applicable to a dead Corps; nor do we say that such a Figure is in a handsom Posture, but in a graceful Attitude, or Disposition.