167 



I now proceed to examine whether, and in what degree 

 happiness may be expected in the different classes above 

 mentioned. 



The general desire of the opulent is the acquisition of 

 power ; that of the 7Hch is to obtain opulence ; that of the 

 poor is to acquire riches ; and that of the indigent is to attain 

 relief. 



But sensual pleasure is the principal pursuit of the genera- 

 lity of each class while young. 



There is also a fifth description of men, namely, the philo- 

 sophic or literary ; too few, perhaps, to form a class, whose 

 principal pleasure is mental exercise, and the attainment of 

 knowledge. Such persons are chiefly found among professi- 

 onal men, and some among the rich, or at least, of those who 

 have obtained a competency. 



The general desire of youth is directed to the gratification 

 of mere animal propensities, sexual intercourse, the luxuries 

 of the table, violent exercise, and a round of amusements. 



When a young man arrives at the age of 21, being then 

 at his own disposal, he finds the company and conversation 

 of persons of superior age irksome, his want of experience 

 unfits him for entering into it, and the silence he is obliged 

 to observe disgusts him. Hence he carefully avoids it, and 

 seeks the society of those of nearly his own age, whose incli- 

 nations are congenial with his oavu. By their excitements and 



exami)Ies 



