ILLUSTRATIONS

OF THE

ORIGIN AND PROGRESS

OF THE

PASSIONS.

HISTORICAL ILLUSTRATIONS

OF THE

ORIGIN AND PROGRESS

OF THE

PASSIONS,

AND THEIR

INFLUENCE ON THE CONDUCT OF MANKIND;

WITH

SOME SUBORDINATE SKETCHES

OF

HUMAN NATURE AND HUMAN LIFE.

IN TWO VOLUMES.

VOLUME SECOND.

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR

LONGMAN, HURST, REES, ORME, BROWN & GREEN,

PATERNOSTER-ROW.

1825.

715.

ODLY

A

ILLUSTRATIONS

OF THE

ORIGIN AND PROGRESS

OF THE

PASSIONS.

CHAPTER I.

IS IT LAWFUL TO COMMIT SUICIDE?

THE sublunary state of mankind is inseparable from trial and sorrow. If pleasures intermingle with life, if terms of health and vigour be assigned, and courage speed to successful enterprize, if sometimes cheerful and void of care, we be content and happy,—the flowers which strew the path conceal the thorns, the intervals of enjoyment are short and fleeting. Melancholy, sickness, pain, and disappointment, hover in their train. The fire of youth is hourly refrigerating with advancing age, the senses cease to exaggerate delight, ardour no longer