342 THE LAWS OF ORGANIC 



defect or peculiarity in the organization of the 

 heart itself, on which account it is more liable to 

 be deranged by every alteration in the respira- 

 tory function. If we suppose its cavities to want 

 their proper proportions, it will be easy to con- 

 ceive that a quantity of blood, more abundant 

 than usual, will enfeeble or control its action ; 

 or some other predisponent condition may exist 

 of which we have no idea. 



CCCCV. I have placed Love among the pas- 

 sions of this class, which we have hitherto con- 

 sidered : but it is difficult to say to what divi- 

 sion it properly belongs ; it varies according to 

 the nature of our feelings and motives, the at- 

 tractions of the object, the difficulties opposed 

 to our wishes, and many other circumstances not 

 easy to enumerate. This passion is at one time 

 gentle and soothing, at another it distracts by 

 its violence, or depresses by its fears ; but every 

 diversity which it displays may be referred to 

 one of the two general classes. 



CCCCVI. From this very brief account of the 

 way in which exciting passions derange the cir- 

 culatory system, and from what has also been pre- 

 viously stated in the preceding chapters, I hope 

 it has been satisfactorily shewn that the mind 

 has no direct agency upon the heart ; and still 

 further, that it is of vital importance to cultivate 

 pleasurable and buoyant feelings in our do- 

 niestic or friendly circles ; not for a momentary 



