AND ANIMAL LIFE. 349 



We are almost entitled to call this state of the 

 mind at one time an acute and at another a chro- 

 nic affection ; for in those instances in which it 

 does not subside, like the generality of our violent 

 feelings,it presents throughout its duration symp- 

 toms so well marked as almost to authorize the 

 employment of a term which supposes the ab- 

 sence of those indications by which it was in the 

 first place particularly distinguished, and yet, at 

 the same time, a state of aberration too evident 

 to be neglected or unobserved. 



CCCCXVI. It is impossible to bring forward 

 any passion that more clearly shows the validity 

 of the principles proposed than that of grief. The 

 constant sighing, or deep inspirations, must neces- 

 sarily tend to pervert the proper distribution of 

 the blood throughout the system ; and must also 

 facilitate the accumulation of the same in the 

 lungs. I shall not multiply any further observa- 

 tions on this passion, nor do I think it necessary 

 to examine the phenomena of any other, as they 

 are all referrible to those states that either excite 

 or depress ; and although they may otherwise 

 seem to differ, yet the diversities, when investi- 

 gated, will be found to consist rather in the degree 

 than in the nature of the feeling, understanding 

 by nature the qualities distinctive of each class, 

 and not the fine and ingenious divisions of the 

 metaphysician. 



