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mate must be more or less favourable to them. Where 

 there is most sensibility, the fine arts, if the oper'ation of 

 that sensibility is not controlled, by the operation of 

 other causes, which are unfavourable, must be most pre- 

 valent and prosperous. It is true, that political institu- 

 tions may, and often do, control and counteract the sof- 

 tening effects of climate. Thus the severe and uniform 

 manners and discipline of the Spartan republic, inculcat- 

 ing an inflexible sternness of nature, and proscribing plea- 

 sure, relaxation and soft indulgences, must have been un- 

 favourable to the fine arts. In the North are people, who 

 have few vices, many virtues. In northern climates, scarce 

 has the animal part of love a power of making itself felt 

 (says Montesquieu).* " In temperate climates, love is at- 

 " tended by a thousand circumstances, and endeavours 

 " to please, by things that have the appearance, though 

 " not the reality of this passion. In warmer climates, 

 " love is liked for its own sake: it is the only cause of 

 " happiness; it is life itself." In southern climates, the 

 machine, of a delicate frame, but strong sensibility, resigns 

 itself to love. In the northern regions, a machine robust 

 and heavy, finds pleasure in whatever is apt to throw 

 the spirits into motion; as hunting, and other athletic ex- 

 ercises. The general love of music in Italy, the unrival- 

 led excellence in painting, the extraordinary faculty of 

 the Improvisatori, are proofs of the superior sensibility of 



H 2 the 



* See Spirit of Laws, B, XIV. c. ii. Nugent's Translation, V. I. p. 327, et 

 sfeqnentes. 



