AN 



ESSAY 



ON THE 



INFLUENCE OF HABIT, 



CONSIDERED IN CONJUNCTION WITH 



THE LOVE OF NOVELTY.' 



Hgec placuit semel ; hsee decies repetita placebit. 



A HE influence of habit and the love of novelty are principles 

 of so general, yet so opposite a nature, and intended to pro- 

 mote such different purposes, that if they were incompatible, 

 one half of the business of life would be left unaccom- 

 plished. Could we suppose a being under the government 

 of habit alone, his actions would be confined within the nar- 

 row circle that comprises the necessities of his nature; and 

 the preservation of his existence, by eating, drinking and 

 sleeping, would be almost his only achievement. On the 



