Lifes Progress Through the Passions | Page 7

short time, and lost nothing of his

handsomeness by that so-much-dreaded enemy to the face: there
remained, however, a little redness, which, till intirely worn off, it was
judged improper he should be sent where it was likely there might be
many young gentlemen, who having never experienced the same,
would take umbrage at the sight.
During the time of his indisposition he had been attended by an old
nurse, who had served in the same quality to his mother, and several
others of her family.--The tenderness this good creature shewed to him,
and the care she took to humour him in every thing, not only while he
continued in a condition, in which it might have been dangerous to
have put his spirits into the least agitation, but after he was grown well
enough to walk abroad, had made him become extremely pettish and
self-willed; which shews, that an over-indulgence to youth, is no less
prejudicial, than too much austerity.--Happy is it for those who are
brought up in a due proportion between these two extremes; for as
nature will be apt to fall into a dejection, if pressed down with a
constant, and uninterrupted severity, so it will infallibly become
arrogant and assuming, if suffered always to pursue its own
dictates.--Nothing is more evident, than that most of the irregularities
we see practised in the world, are owing originally to a want of the
medium I have been speaking of, in forming the mind while it is pliable
to impression.
This was not, however, the case of Natura; and though he would
doubtless have been what we call a spoiled child, had he been for any
length of time permitted to do just what he pleased, yet the nurse being
discharged, he fell again under the jurisdiction of his mother-in-law,
who had now more excuse than ever for treating him with severity.
His father did not want understanding, but was a good deal more
indolent than befits a parent.--He had always been accustomed to live
at ease, and his natural aversion to all kinds of trouble, made him not
inspect into the manners or temperament of his son, with that care he
ought to have done. Whenever any complaints were made concerning
his behaviour, he would chide, and sometimes beat him, but seldom
examined how far he really merited those effects rather of others

resentment than his own. Sometimes he would ask him questions on his
progress in learning, and praise or dispraise, as he found occasion; but
he never discoursed with him on any other topics, nor took any
pleasure in instructing him in such things as are not to be taught in
schools, but which much more contribute to enlarge the mind; so that
had not Natura's own curiosity led him to examine into the sources,
first causes, and motives of what he was obliged to read, he would have
reaped no other benefit from his Greek and Latin authors, than meerly
the knowledge of their language.
Here I cannot help taking notice, that whatever inconveniences it may
occasion, curiosity is one of the greatest advantages we receive from
nature; it is that indeed from which all our knowledge is derived.--Were
it not for this propensity in ourselves, the sun, the moon, and all the
darling constellations which adorn the hemisphere, would roll above
our heads in vain: contented to behold their shine, and feel their
warmth, but ignorant of their motion and influence on all beneath, half
that admiration due to the Divine Architect, would lye dormant in
us.--Did not curiosity excite us to examine into the nature of vegetables,
their amazing rise, their progress, their deaths and resurrections in the
seasons allotted for these alternatives, we should enjoy the fruits of the
earth indeed, but enjoy them only in common with the animals that
feed upon it, or perhaps with less relish than they do, as it is agreed
their organs of sensation have a greater share of poignancy than
ours.--What is it but curiosity which renders study either pleasing or
profitable to us?--The facts we read of would soon slip through the
memory, or if they retained any place in it, could be of little advantage,
without being acquainted with the motives which occasioned them. By
curiosity we examine, by examining we compare, and by comparing we
are alone enabled to form a right judgment, whether of things or
persons.
We are told indeed of many jealousies, discontents, and quarrels, which
have been occasioned by this passion, among those who might
otherwise have lived in perfect harmony; and a man or woman, who
has the character of being too inquisitive, is shunned as dangerous to
society.--But what commendable quality is there that may not be

perverted, or what virtue whose extreme does not border on a