1792« on delicacy of sentiment. 201 



ESSAY ON DELICACY OF SENTIMENT. 



For the Bee, 



Oh ! teach us, — yet unspo'l'd by v/calth ! 



That secret rare, between th' extremes to move, 



Ot maii gojd nature, and ol" mem self love. Popi. 



The character of delicacy of sentiment, so esteemed 

 at present, seems to have been unknown to the an- 

 cients. It is certainly a great refinement on huma- 

 nity. Refinements are never attended to in the ear- 

 lier ages, when the occupations of war, and the wants 

 of unimproved life, leave little opportunity, and lefs 

 inclination, for fanciful enjoyments. Danger and 

 distrefs require strength of mind, and necefsarily ex- 

 clude an attention to those delicacies, which, while 

 they please, infallibly enervate. 



That tendernefs which is amiable in a state of per- 

 fect civilization, is despised as a weaknefs among 

 unpolifbed nations. Shocked at the smallest circum- 

 stances which are disagreeable, it cannot support the 

 idea of danger and alarm. So far from exercising 

 the cruelties which are sometimes politically necef- 

 sary in a rude state, it starts with horror from the 

 sight, and at the description of them. It delights in 

 the calm occupations of rural life, and would gladly 

 resign the spear and ;the fliield for the-fhepherd'o 

 crook and- the lover's garland. But in an unformed 

 community, where constant danger requires constant 

 defence, those dispositions which delight in retire- 

 ment and ease will be treated with general contempt; 

 and no temper of mind which is despised will belong 

 epidemical. 



vox.. X. C C t 



