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Conscious of this indissoluble law of our constitution, how 

 anxiously should we direct its operation to our final advan- 

 . tage. Endued as we are with appetites and passions, which 

 within a certain compass are necessary to the preservation of 

 the individual, the propagation of the species, and the hap- 

 piness of society, but when let loose and abandoned to the 

 violence of their career, are as destructive in their fury, as 

 they are beneficent under the restraints of conscience and 

 reason — so endued — with what solicitude should we acquire 

 the habit of confining, within their appointed limits, these 

 dubious directors, which waft us round the circle of virtuous 

 enjoyment, or hurry us into the regions of turpitude and 

 misery, the operant causes of much natural good — the in- 

 disputable authors of all moral evil. 



Our infancy is assailed by a host of rebellious passions, 

 which Avill accompany us through life, if not early subdued, 

 and constantly restrained, by force of habit. That sensibility 

 to pain, which indicates itself by tears and cries, and is neces- 

 sary to the preservation of so tender a creature, soon be- 

 comes confirmed peevishness, petulance and rancour. That 

 passion, which was intended in the progress of life to pro- 

 mote our welfare by steadiness and perseverance in our pur- 

 suits and labours, may in its very outset deviate into stub- 

 bornness and obstinacy. That emulation, which might one 

 day raise us above our fellows, may be transformed at its 

 birth into a pitiful or malignant envy. That pride, which has 

 been provided to dignify the lofty nature of man, may sink 

 into silly vanity, or swell into overweening arrogance. And 



