476 slvarife. [BookX. 



dated with the very word itfelf, the mention of which, 

 I believe, in moil people, excites a grateful fenfation. 

 By thefe. means, the virtue of fympathy may tfe con- 

 ftantly maintained, and every amiable pafiien che- 

 rifhed. 



It has been already intimated whence the paflion of 

 avarice derives its origin. The natural wants of man, 

 it is true, are very few j yet in the prefent ftate of-fo- 

 ciety, thefe wants are not to be fupplied without fome 

 exertions on our own parts. The firft defign, then, of 

 human beings, is, to acquire fuch a competence as will 

 fatisfy the calls of nature. But obferve what habit 

 does. By a continued purflSir, we grow eager in the 

 chace ; the firft object is loft fight of; we annex the 

 idea of pleafure to the means or the inftruments, and 

 fancy riches to have fomcthing in themfelves defirable. 

 A pafiion different from the firft is now generated j one 

 man's example imparrs frefh vigour to another, and 

 the end of life is forgotten in- the ardour of an imagi- 

 nary purfuit *. When the idea of pleafure is once trans- 

 ferred thus to the inftrument, we fee a child prefer a 

 piece of money to many actual gratifications that might 

 be enjoyed immediately. I knew a covetous man, who 

 hired a very uncomfortable large houfe, a third part of 

 which he did not inhabit, becaufe he thought it a good 

 bargain to procure an houfe of that fize at the fame 

 rate as a fmaller. The fame man left a pfeafant farm 

 and a good eftate, and bought a commiflion in the army, 

 purely becaufe he could procure it at a cheap rate. 



" Avarice is checked, ift, By the ftrong defires of 

 young perfons, and others, after particular gratifications. 

 2dly, By confidering the infignificance of riches in 

 warding off death and difeafes, alfo lhame and con- 



* " Ft prapter vitam, vivendi perdere caufas." Juv. 



tempt 



