EGYPT, AND SYRIA. 44^ 
complete degree than ourfelves, and are mucli more exercifed 
in the ftoical fyftem, which feems the moft effectual to the 
purpofe. 
The paflions, indeed, it is faid, are to the mind what motion 
is to the body ; and the abfence of either caufes and marks, in 
each refpeitively, fymptoms that may be termed morbid. 
A perfedi abfence of paffion is certainly preternatural, if it 
may not be called impoffible ; but as our paflions are more 
likely to be called into adtion by painful than by pleafurable 
fenfations, it feems little doubtful, that the mind, on which they 
operate moft feebly, will remain in the moft tranquil ftate. This 
tranquillity, this abfence of pain, (for joy, however poignant, 
is but a tranfient gleam, a corufcation, which pafling, renders the 
obfcurity which fucceeds it more fenfible,) is the fmgle fpecies 
of happinefs of which mankind is allowed to partake. 
: A man of great fenfibility has his feelings hourly wounded 
by minute accidents, at which one of lefs lively fenfations would 
fmile, 
Such a one is tranfported with love, and, if that love be fuc- 
cefsful, his gratification is exquifite. He is fuddenly moved by 
compaflion, — how refined his feeling in offering relief to diftrefs ! 
He ardently defires fame, — how is he elated v^'ith the flighteft 
praifes ! But how often is his v^arm affedtion requited with 
negle(ft, or its gratification found impoflible ? How often will 
his compaffion be excited, without the means of affording re- 
3 L lief? 
