BIPEDS AND QUADRUPEDS. 11 



cuse, would at least palliate the act : even if he had 

 acted under erroneous impression in that one act, it 

 is very improbable that such a man would ever re- 

 peat such an offence while he breathed ; but with a 

 passionate man, neither relative, friend, servant, nor 

 animal, is ever safe for a moment. Such a man has 

 only the choice of being thought one of two characters, 

 a savage who will gratify brutal passion if irritated 

 at any moment, any where, and on any person or 

 thing — or a fool, who cannot, or will not, call reason 

 to his aid before he acts with blind and brute vio- 

 lence. A passionate person usually excuses himself 

 by saying it is soon over ; perhaps it is, after he has 

 said so offensive a thing to a friend that obliges the 

 latter to call him out ; so hurtful a one to an amia- 

 ble woman (unfortunate enough to be his wife), that 

 she never forgets it ; or after he has given a blow to 

 some one, or something, that makes a cripple for 

 life. But there is another reason why passionate 

 people fancy their soon forgetting is an excuse for 

 their conduct ; they get into a passion for trifles that 

 would hardly have called forth a word of reprimand 



