47 force of Cujiom. [Book X. 



the influence of cuftom. To an attentive reader, many 

 facts throughout the remainder of this work will occur 

 to confirm it, and almoft all that has been faid of a 

 lenfe of beauty derived from aflbciation will ap- 

 ply likewife to moral beauty *. It is - oblervable, 

 that every nation and every age has a fafhion in think- 

 ing as well as in drefs j and the whole caft of thinking 

 will be more uniform than men ufually fuppoie. The 

 fports of nations partake of the nature of their govern- 

 ment, and their political prejudices and interefts. Gla- 

 cliators and mock battles were the favourite amufe- 

 ments of the warlike Romans. 



Men love what is uncommon at firft, becaufe what: 

 produces mental agitation produces pleafure j and there 

 is no paflion produces fo much mental agitation within 

 the limits of pleafure as admiration ; they Afterwards 

 expect a renovation of that pleafure, which was only 

 the effeft of furprifej and often the very recollection, 

 of that pleafure will keep alive the paffion. 



* " In the reign of Charles II. a degree of licentioufnefs was 

 deemed the charafteriftic of a liberal education. It was connected, 

 according to the notions of thofe times, with generofity, fmcerity, 

 magnanimity, loyalty, and proved that the perfon who acled in 

 this manner, was a gentleman, and not a puritan," -Smith's 

 Th. M. S, P t. 6. f. 2. 



In the fame manner as you are induced to love and imitate what- 

 ever is connected with a pleafurable or beautiful objecl, you will 

 endeavour to avoid what is connected with pain or deformity. 

 Hence men often aft in extremes. Lord Boiingbroke afTevted, 

 that what firft gave him a diltafte to religion, was the puritanical 

 feverity in his own family. 



