18 NATURAL HISTORY. 



sevcra eat verum gaudium. 1 Fourthly, that the object 

 of it is deformity, absurdity, shrewd turns, and the 

 like. Now to speak of the causes of the effects before 

 mentioned, whereunto these general notes give some 

 light. For the dilatation of the mouth and lips, con 

 tinued expulsion of the breath and voice, and shaking 

 of the breast and sides, they proceed (all) from the 

 dilatation of the spirits ; especially being sudden. So 

 likewise, the running of the eyes with water (as hath 

 been formerly touched, where we spake of the tears of 

 joy and grief) is an effect of dilatation of the spirits. 

 And for suddenness, it is a great part of the matter : 

 for we see, that any shrewd turn that lighteth upon 

 another, or any deformity, &c. moveth laughter in the 

 instant ; which after a little time it doth not. So we 

 cannot laugh at anything after it is stale, but whilst it 

 is new : and even in tickling, if you tickle the sides 

 and give warning, or give a hard or continued touch, 

 it doth not move laughter so much. 



722. Lust causeth a flagrancy in the eyes ; and pri- 

 apism. The cause of both these is, for that in lust 

 the sight and the touch are the things desired ; and 

 therefore the spirits resort to those parts which are 

 most affected. And note well in general, (for that 

 great use may be made of the observation,) that ever 

 more the spirits, in all passions, resort most to the parts 

 that labour most, or are most affected. As in the last 

 which hath been mentioned, they resort to the eyes 

 and venereous parts : in fear and anger to the heart : 

 in shame to the face: and in light dislikes to the 

 head. 



i Seneca, Ep. 23. 



