Perhaps the comparative condition of mankind is rateable chiefly by stages of civilization, as their opinions are then founded on axioms of the nearest analogy. Isolated facts afford unquestionable testimony of the transitions and excesses of which the mind, throughout its wonderful progress, is susceptible; but satisfactory conclusions are best obtained from a wide survey of the world, and a great corroboration of incident. Impartial contemporary observation, always of avowed utility, forms a very meagre portion of the most familiar written history; and, doubtless, many immense chasms have been supplied solely by imagination. Judicial proceedings, though not infallible, are to be assumed as preferable historical evidence; for falsehood is surely of easier detection where the single purpose of investigation is to elicit truth. The author having in general presumed on the reader's inexperience, has led to the discussion of certain topics rather to be considered interesting than debateable, and to a greater profusion of illustrations. Original authorities have been resorted to in so far as practicable, and passages are frequently presented entire, partly to preserve or restore the purity of citations, partly because the learned may be at variance regarding their precise interpretation. Esteeming authenticity the first recommendation, many examples appear though wanting the merit of novelty: some are reluctantly drawn from sources as yet unconfirmed by the test of time; probably others more appropriate have been overlooked; nor is it unlikely that the retrenchment of a few superfluities shall be desired by an erudite and discriminative taste. The largest stores of private information are scanty amidst the mass of universal knowledge-innumerable fallacies and imperfections are betrayed in the most careful compositions. That the fabulist may polish blemishes, and perfect his narrative, he has only to encourage the flights of fancy, and select the ornaments of language. If the historian would replenish vacuity, and veil his defects, he must often content himself with meaner aid. Admitted fable, in all its multifarious shapes, is sedulously rejected here. Several works of reputed excellence have proved unattainable by the author; but the sentiments of the most illustrious writers are appealed to invariably, as deserving the greatest deference. If familiar names be not classed along with them, it is from assigning the highest as its rightful place to instructive lite rature. The history of the human race is too ample to admit of more than the most circumscribed and abrupt discussion of a few prominent incidents within the narrow compass of these volumes; nor do the various aspects under which the influence of the passions, or the motives and conduct of our fellow-creatures may be considered, permit us to insist that no other conclusions than the following are deducible, even from the principles which have been assumed. CONTENTS. VOLUME FIRST. Page CHAPTER I. Perishable Condition of Mankind........ II. Evolution of the Malevolent Affections 11 III. Evolution of the Benevolent Affections 183 VOLUME SECOND. Page. III. On the profitable Occupation of Time 212 ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE ORIGIN AND PROGRESS OF THE PASSIONS. CHAPTER I. PERISHABLE CONDITION OF MANKIND. MAN by nature is a helpless and perishable being, dependant at the hour of his birth on the fostering care of others: seeking subsistence in maturer age from his strength or contrivance, and sheltering his unprotected frame from the intemperance of the elements. Though in the full enjoyment of vigorous youth, life is ever precarious: neither the insidious progress of disease, nor the sudden dangers of accident, are postponed for senility and decrepitude. The mortal blow is struck without a distant warning,-when least expected-when most irresistible; and were it not from counteracting principles, wisely devised for preservation, the human race would soon disappear and be annihilated. No one can seriously contemplate his own delicate structure, without admiring its component parts, or without amazement how the frail tenement has held so long together: An unwary step will dislocate his joints, a grain of sand will extinguish sight, his very soul may escape by a wound which is scarcely perceptible. Too truly he is composed of perishable materials, which, in their dissolution, shall speedily mingle him with his kindred dust, resolve into air, and vanish.* But this is an arrangement essential for the wellbeing of the universe. If unceasing increase be inconsistent with limited space, and the laws of animal organization prohibit its eternity, death is the indispensable consequence of life, that a place may be left for the new evolutions or creations which are destined to occupy the sublunary world. The necessities of man, in his original state, are restricted to procuring food and obtaining shelter; nor do his speculations then extend beyond them. But that clime is rarely allotted where, amidst never-fading verdure, he can screen himself under the spreading foliage, where the falling fruit is ready to deepen the soil, or renew the parent tree in its decay. A barren and inhospitable region re * Plenck, Hygrology, p. 252. |