^9i 



THE PHILOSOPHY 



feveral important changes are produced in the fyftem of 

 both males and females. The beard now makes its appear- 

 ance ; the dimenfions of the body, in mod individuals, are 

 fuddenly augmented ; and both fexes become capable of 

 multiplying the fpecies. From this period, to the age of 

 twenty-five or thirty, the mufcles fwell, their interfaces are 

 filled with fat, the parts bear a proper proportion to each 

 other, and man may now be confidered as a perfect animal. 

 tn this ftate of bodily perfection and vigour, he generally 

 remains till he reaches his fiftieth year. Then a new but a 

 gradual change begins to appear. From the fiftieth year to 

 the age of feventy or eighty, the powers of the body decline 

 in their fhrength and adtivity. The mufcles lofe their fpring 

 and their force. The vigour of manhood is no longer felt ; 

 and the withered decrepitude of old age is fucceeded by 

 death, its unavoidable confequence. 



The mind of man undergoes changes as well as his body. 

 The tafle, the appetites, and the difpofitions, are in perpetual 

 fluctuation. How diff"erent is the tafire of a child from that 

 of a man ? Fond of gewgaws and of trifling amufements, chil- 

 dren frolic away their time without much thought or reflec- 

 tion. Yfhen advancing toward puberty, their difpofitions 

 and defires fuller a gradual mutation. New inftinCts are un- 

 folded, and a {enfe of propriety begins to be perceived. 

 They dcfpife their former occupations and amufements ; and 

 different fpecies of objects folicit and obtain their attention. 

 Their powers of reflection are now confiderably augmented ; 

 and both fexes acquire a modefty and a fliynefs with 

 regard to each other. This auk ward, but natural bafhful- 

 nefs, by the intercourfe of fociety, as well as by the impulfes 

 .of Nature, vanifhes foon after puberty, when the ftate of 

 manhood and of gallantry commences. From this period, 

 to the age of twenty-five or thirty, men's minds aiTume a 

 bold, enterprifing, and adtive tone. They engage in the 



