Russet, the second or middle tertiary colour, is, like citrine, constituted ultimately of the three primaries, red, yellow, and blue; but with this difference--instead of yellow as in citrine, the archeus or predominating colour in russet is red, to which yellow and blue are subordinates. For _orange_ and _purple_ being the immediate constituents of russet, and red being a component part of each of those colours, it follows that red enters doubly into russet, while yellow and blue appear but once therein. The proportions of its middle hue are eight blue, ten red, and three yellow, of equal intensities. Thus composed, russet takes the relations and powers of a subdued red; and many pigments and dyes of the latter denomination are strictly of the class of russet colours. In fact, nominal distinction of colours is only relative; the gradation from hue to hue, as from tint to tint, and shade to shade, being of such unlimited extent, that it is impossible to pronounce absolutely where one hue, tint, or shade ends, and another begins. The harmonizing, neutralizing, or contrasting colour of russet, is a _deep green_; or when the russet inclines to orange, a _gray_ or _subdued blue_. These are often beautifully opposed in nature, being medial accordances or in equal relation to light, shade and other colours, and among the most agreeable to sense. Russet, as we have said, partakes of the relations of red, but it is a hue moderated in every respect, and qualified for greater breadth of display in the colouring of nature and art; less so, perhaps, than its fellow-tertiaries in proportion as it is individually more beautiful. The powers of beauty are ever most effective when least obtrusive; and its presence in colour should be chiefly evident to the eye that seeks it--not so much courting as being courted. Of the tertiary colours, russet is the most important to the artist; and there are many pigments classed as red, purple, &c., which are of russet hues. But there are few true russets, and only one original pigment of that colour is now known on the palette, to wit-- 229. RUBENS' MADDER,