LOOK rNG*GI<ASS. 
4t 
ESSAY VII 
On the Pajions. 
LET us caft a glance at the origin and divifion 
of the Paffions, before we confider their ditFerent 
outward figns. 
No ftudy would be more interefting to man 
than to analyfe himfelf in a moral fenfe, were it 
poffible for him to do fo. The moft enlightened 
philofophers have differed upon this point : fome of 
them maintain the prevailing opinion, that this think- 
ing creature is born good, without thofe fatal paf- 
fions of which he becomes the fport, as they ori- 
ginate entirely from education, example, and cir- 
cumftances. According to this fyftem, he brings 
with him into the world the precious feeds of 
virtue and juftice, which are deftroyed in the 
bud by bad habits and difficulties of life ; fo that 
vice grows up in their place. 
Befides other advocates, the celebrated Rouffeau 
employed his perfuafive language in defence of 
thefe principles. Oppofite fentiments, lefs flatter- 
ing to human nature, have been fupported with 
equal zeal, but more fpleen than good fenfe, tend- 
ing 
