$QO STUDIES OF NATURE. 



demned by Religion. We have obfervcd, that 

 there are but two paffions in the heart of Man, 

 love and ambition. Civil Laws denounce the fe- 

 verefi; punifhment againft the excefles of the firft : 

 they reprefs, as far as their power extends, the 

 more violent emotions of it. Proflitution is brand- 

 ed with infamous penalties ; and, in fome coun- 

 tries, adultery is puniflied even with death. But 

 thefe fame Laws meet the fécond more than half 

 way; they, every where, propofe to it prizes, re- 

 wards, and honours. Thefe opinions force their 

 way, and exercife dominion, incloiflers themfelves. 

 It is a grievous fcandal to a convent, if the amo- 

 rous intrigues of a monk happen to take air ; but 

 what elogiums are beftowed on thofe which pro- 

 cure him a cardinal's hat ! What raillery, impre- 

 cation, and malediélion, are the portion of impru- 

 dent weaknefs ! What gentle and honourable epi- 

 thets are applied to audacious crafc ! Noble emu- 

 lation, love of glory, fpirit, intelligence, merit re- 

 warded ; with how many glorious appellations do 

 we palliate intrigue, flattery, fimony, perfidy, and 

 all the vi( es which walk, in all States, in the train 

 of the ambitious 1 



This is the way in which the World forms it's 

 judgments ; but Religion, ever conformable to 

 Nature, pronounces a very different decilion on the 

 charaders of thefe two pafiions. Jesus invites the 



communications 



