336 THE LAWS OF ORGANIC 



tal peculiarities, on the natural constitution of 

 the mind. Our tastes and susceptibilities are 

 certainly very dissimilar ; and although some are 

 disposed to consider such as the consequences of 

 civilized society, or of circumstances, yet it is more 

 consistent with my own experience and reflec- 

 tion to attribute the variety, in degree and cha- 

 racter, to a fundamental difference in the confor- 

 mation of our minds. As this opinion is the one 

 most generally entertained, and as its full deve- 

 lopment does not belong to the subject in ques- 

 tion, it is unnecessary in this place to investigate 

 its merits. 



CCCXCVII. In glancing at the exciting pas- 

 sions individually, it is evident that these differ 

 almost as much among themselves as they do 

 from those that belong to the other class. Hope, 

 in its prospective view, is one of the most gentle 

 of excitants : it disburdens the present of its 

 weariness or misery, and embellishes the future 

 with all that imagination can create. There are 

 few clouds which it cannot disperse, and few ob- 

 jects which it cannot brighten ; but its influence 

 is so mild that it may somewhat be likened to 

 that of the moon, which diffuses more light than 

 warmth. Yet this passion, although apparently 

 so feeble, is of great importance to the animal 

 economy ; it is a constant mid benignant stimulus to 

 the mind, and, as the involuntary actions of respi- 

 ration are regulated by the latter principle, it is the 



