OF NATURAL HISTORY. 269 



CHAPTER XL 



Of Love. 



TH E great Intention of Nature, in endowing almoft every ani- 

 mal with a fexual attachment, is the multiplication and conti- 

 nuation of the refpedtive fpecies. But, with regard to man, and, in 

 an inferior degree, to all pairing animals, love is the fource of many 

 other focial and important advantages. Love, or a ftrong affedtion 

 for a particular woman, is to young men, perhaps, one of the great- 

 eft incentives to virtue and propriety of conduft. In northern coun- 

 tries, it feldom rifes to that degree of frenzy, which, in warmer cli- 

 mates, not only engrofles the whole attention, but often totally un- 

 hinges the powers of the mind. In northern regions, however, it 

 occupies more gently the imagination, gives a chearfulnefs and ala- 

 crity to the bufinefs or ftudies of life, and, if reciprocal, diffufes over 

 the mind and body a placid happinefs, and a tranquillity of dlfpofi- 

 tion, which greatly contribute to the health and vigour of both. A 

 young man in love thinks that the eyes of his favourite continually 

 behold him. Through this amiable medium he views all his adions, 

 and even his thoughts. His afFedion and veneration are fo great, 

 that he is, in fome meafure, deterred from regarding any other wo- 

 man, and, what is of more importance,. from indulging any loofe or 



irregular 



