[ 3^ ] 



with pleafure the death or torture of their fellow-creatures? 

 by no means. Women, and young perfons, whofe natures are 

 commonly foft and corapaffionate, run with as much avidity as , 

 the reft on thofe occafions ; and, however great may be the 

 guilt of the fuffercr, pity is the paflion moft generally prevalent 

 in the bofoms of the multitude. Curiofity, and ftill more the 

 ardent defire of having their feelings excited, are the incentives 

 that drive the croud to thofe fcenes of death and forrow. 



The Romans were by no means a cruel people. Freemen 

 were exempted from capital punhhment by their law; many 

 inftances of clemency, and national mildncfs of charader, occur 

 in the courfe of their hiftory ; yet they delighted to an extra- 

 vagant degree in the combats of gladiators, and the fanguinary 

 fpedacles of the Arena. Whence did this proceed ? The Romans 

 had lively paffions, and great fenfibility ; and fuch was the plea- 

 fure they experienced from their feelings being roufed and called 

 into adion, that the horror and cruelty of the fpedacle were 

 withdrawn from view, and loft in the eager curiofity and intent 

 aftivity of the moment. Wc may trace to the fame fourcc the 

 fondncfs of the Portuguefe and Spaniards for their Bull-Fights. 



Inbependent of the concomitant pleafure and felf-congra- 

 tulation conneded with the adivity of man, merely as adivity, 

 a peculiar charm and fweetnefs are attached to the exercife of all 

 our focial affedions. While the philanthropift laments the mifery 

 of his friends, his country, the human race, and unable to relieve, 

 beftows on mifery— a// he has, a tear; — He yet rejoices in the 



generous 



