STUDY XII. 391 



The fentiment of Deity impels us in a contrary 

 direction *. It was this which conducted Love 

 to the altar, and dictated to the lips of the Lover 

 the firft vows of fidelity ; it devoted the firft chil- 

 dren to Heaven, while as yet there was no fuch 

 thing as political Law ; it rendered Love fublime, 

 and Friendfhip generous ; with one hand it fuc- 

 coured the miferable, and oppofed the other to 

 tyrants ; it became the moving principle of gene- 

 rofity, and of every virtue. Satisfied with the con- 

 fcioufnefs of having deferved well of'Mankind, it 

 nobly difdained the recompence of applaufe. When 

 it fhewed itfelf in arts and fciences, it became the 

 ineffable charm which tranfported us in contem- 

 plating them: the moment it withdrew from them, 

 languor fucceeded. It is this fentiment which 



* Whenever any one has loft this firft of harmonies, all the; 

 others follow it. Does it not well deferve to be remarked, that 

 all the Writings of Atheifts are infufferably dry and unintereft- 

 ing ? They fometimes fill you with aftonifhment, but never do 

 they touch the heart. They exhibit caricatures only, or gigantic 

 ideas. They are totally deftitute of order, of proportion, of fen- 

 fibility. I do not exempt from this cenfure any one, except the 

 poem of Lucretius. But this very exception, as has been faid be- 

 fore, only confirms the truth of my obfervation ; for when this 

 Poet wiflied to pleafe, he found himfelf under the necefiity of 

 introducing Deity, as is evident from his exordium, which com- 

 mences with that beautiful apoftrophe ; Alma Ftnus, &c. Every 

 where elfe, when he fets about a difplay of the Philofophy of 

 Epicurus, his infipidity becomes abfolutely infupportable. 



c c 4 confers 



