STUDÎ XIII. 151 



union, either in families, or in aflbciations, or in 

 natives of the fame province ; I except only the 

 inhabitants of a fingle province, which I mud not 

 name ; who, as foon as they are got a little from 

 home, exprefs the greatefl ardor of affedion for 

 each other. But, as all the truth muft out, it is 

 rather from antipathy to the other inhabitants of 

 the kingdom, than from love to their compatriots, 

 for, from time immemorial, that province has been 

 celebrated for inteftine divifions. In general, the 

 real fpirit of patriotifm, which is the firft fenti- 

 ment of humanity, is very rare in Europe, and par- 

 ticularly among ourfclves. 



Without carrying this reafoning any farther, let 

 us look for the proofs of the fadt, which are level 

 to every capacity. When we read certain relations 

 of the cuftoms and manners of the Nations of Afia, 

 we are touched with the fentiment of humanity, 

 which, among them, attracfts men to each other, 

 notwithftanding the phlegmatic taciturnity which 

 reigns in their aflemblies. If, for example, an 

 Afiatic, on a journey, flops to enjoy his repaft, his 

 fervants and camel-driver collect around him, 

 and place themfelves at his table. If a ftranger 

 happens to pafs by, he too fits down with him, 

 and, after having made an inclination of the head 

 to the mafter of the family, and given God 

 thanks, he rifes, and goes on his way, without 



L 4 being 



