Lifes Progress Through the Passions | Page 2

good effects it has
over a grateful mind, Page 51.
BOOK the Second.
CHAP. I.

The inconsideration and instability of youth, when unrestrained by
authority, is here exemplified, in an odd adventure Natura embarked in
with two nuns, after the death of his governor, Page 63.
CHAP. II.
The pleasures of travelling described, and the improvement a sensible
mind may receive from it: with some hints to the censorious, not to be
too severe on errors, the circumstances of which they are ignorant of,
occasioned by a remarkable instance of an involuntary slip of nature,
Page 99.
CHAP. III.
The uncertainty of human events displayed in many surprizing turns of
fortune, which befel Natura, on his endeavouring to settle himself in
the world: with some proofs of the necessity of fortitude, as it may
happen that actions, excited by the greatest virtue, may prove the
source of evil, both to ourselves and others, Page 108.
CHAP. IV.
The power of fear over a mind, weak either by nature, or infirmities of
body: The danger of its leading to despair, is shewn by the condition
Natura was reduced to by the importunities of priests of different
perswasions. This chapter also demonstrates, the little power people
have of judging what is really best for them, and that what has the
appearance of the severest disappointment, is frequently the greatest
good, Page 135.
CHAP. V.
Shews that there is no one human advantage to which all others should
be sacrificed:--the force of ambition, and the folly of suffering it to gain
too great an ascendant over us:--public grandeur little capable of
atoning for private discontent; among which jealousy, whether of love
or honour, is the most tormenting, Page 154.

BOOK the Third.
CHAP. I.
Shews in what manner anger and revenge operate in the mind, and how
ambition is capable of stifling both, in a remarkable instance, that
private injuries, how great soever, may seem of no weight, when public
grandeur requires they should be looked over, Page 168.
CHAP. II.
Shews at what age men are most liable to the passion of grief: the
impatience of human nature under affliction, and the necessity there is
of exerting reason, to restrain the excesses it would otherwise occasion,
Page 178.
CHAP. III.
The struggles which different passions occasion in the human breast,
are here exemplified; and that there is no one among them so strong,
but may be extirpated by another, excepting revenge, which knows no
period, but by gratification, Page 185.
CHAP. IV.
Contains a further definition of revenge, its force, effects, and the
chasm it leaves on the mind when once it ceases. The tranquility of
being entirely devoid of all passions; and the impossibility for the soul
to remain in that state of inactivity is also shewn; with some remarks on
human nature in general, when left to itself, Page 190.
CHAP. V.
Contains a remarkable proof, that tho' the passions may operate with
greater velocity and vehemence in youth, yet they are infinitely more
strong and permanent, when the person is arrived at maturity, and are
then scarce ever eradicated. Love and friendship are then, and not till
then, truly worthy of the names they bear; and that the one between

those of different sexes, is always the consequence of the other, Page
206.
CHAP. VI.
How the most powerful emotions of the mind subside, and grow
weaker in proportion as the strength of the body decays, is here
exemplified; and that such passions as remain after a certain age, are
not properly the incentives of nature but of example, long habitude, or
ill humour, Page 224.

LIFE's PROGRESS THROUGH THE PASSIONS.
INTRODUCTION.
I have often heard it observed by the readers of biography, that the
characters are generally too high painted; and that the good or bad
qualities of the person pretended to be faithfully represented, are
displayed in stronger colours than are to be found in nature. To this the
lovers of hyperbole reply, that virtue cannot be drawn too beautiful, nor
vice too deformed, in order to excite in us an ambition of imitating the
one, and a horror at the thoughts of becoming any way like the
other.--The argument at first, indeed, seems to have some weight, as
there is nothing, not even precept itself, which so greatly contributes
whether to rectify or improve the mind, as the prevalence of example:
but then it ought to be considered, that if the pattern laid down before
us, is so altogether angelic, as to render it impossible to be copied,
emulation will be in danger of being swallowed up in an unprofitable
admiration; and, on the other hand, if it appears so monstrously hideous
as to take away all apprehensions of ever resembling it, we might be
too apt to