DISEASES CLASS III. 1. 2. 25, 



more from his own observation; he will perceive that all extra- 

 ordinary exertions of voluntary action in consequence of some 

 false idea or hallucination, which strongly affects us, may philo- 

 sophically, though not properly, be termed an insanity; he will 

 then be liable to divide these voluntary exertions into disagree- 

 able, pernicious, detestable, or into meritorious, delectable, and 

 even amiable, insanities. And will lastly be induced to conceive, 

 that a good education consists in the art of producing such happy 

 hallucinations of ideas, as may be followed by such voluntary ex- 

 ertions, as may be termed meritorious or amiable insanities. 



The old man of the mountain in Syria, who governed a small 

 nation of people called Assassines, is recorded thus to have edu- 

 cated those of his army who were designed to assassinate the 

 princes with whom he was at war. A young man of natural 

 activity was chosen for the purpose, and thrown into a deep 

 sleep by opium mixed with his food; he was then carried into 

 a garden made to represent the paradise of Mahomet, with flowers 

 of great beauty and fragrance, fruits of delicious flavour, and 

 beautiful Houries beckoning him into the shades. After a while, 

 on being a second time stupifled with opium, the young enthu- 

 siast was reconveyed to his apartment; and on the next day was 

 assured by a priest, that he was designed for some great exploit, 

 and that by obeying the commands of their prince, immortal hap- 

 piness awaited him. 



Hence it is easy to collect how the first impressions made on 

 us by accidental circumstances in our infancy continue through 

 life to bias our affections, or mislead our judgments. One of my 

 acquaintance can trace the origin of his own energies of action 

 from some such remote sources, which justifies the observation of 

 M. Rousseau, that the seeds of future virtues or vices are oftener 

 sown by the mother than the tutor. 



