97- 



THE BEE, 



OR 



LITER ARY WEEKLY IKTELLIGENCER, 



FOR 



WiDNBSDAT, October 17. 1791. 



CONCERNING THE INFLUENCE OF TASTE 



ON THE HAPPINESS AND GLORT OF NATIONS. 

 Concluded from p. 161. 

 Having considered how taste promotes the happinefs 

 of individuals, of families, and of society, I am to con- 

 clude the whole of my discourse concerning this im- 

 portant subject, by pointing out the effects of its in- 

 fluence upon the prosperity and happinefs of the pub- 

 lic at large. 



Taste, (says the excellent Montesquieu,) in the. 

 most general definition of it, without considering 

 whether good or bad, just or not just, is " that ichkb 

 attaches us to a thing by sentiment.^'' * In the former 

 part of this slight efsay I have endeavoured to fhow 

 how the principles of taste are evolved in the pur- 

 suits and habits of those who have been fortunately 

 emancipated from the grovelling desire of sensual 

 pleasure, and how it operates in the infinite ex- 

 tent of rational curiosity, where one clear idea leads 



• Montesquieu on taste,, a fragment. See Dodslej's annual reg;s'.er, vo- 

 lume i. p 311. 



■ VOL. xi. F r f 



