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industry. — Instances of diligence in eminent men.— The evils of idleness. Laziness a disease. stances of idleness

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179

PART IV.

CHAP. I.

THE NATURE OF THE HUMAN MIND.

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The dissimilar opinions which have arisen respecting the mind. Wisdom and wit.-The capability of the human intellect. - Intelligent and learned ladies. The probable powers of the mind in a future state. The influence of climate and food on the human intellect. Insanity. The hypochondriac, and the The retention of the mental powers

absent man.

until old age

190

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CHAP. II.

ON GENIUS.

Various opinions of genius.— Accidental causes of eminence. - Instances of dulness in youth and talent in manhood. Instances of early genius. Instances of persons who have arisen under great disadvantages,

PART V.

CHAP. I.

THE NATURE OF SENSATIONS, EMOTIONS, PASSIONS, HABITS, AND ASSOCIATIONS.

The capabilities of the senses. The difference between emotions and passions. The cause of emotions and passions. A difference in the dispositions of men accounted for. The effects of habit. — The powerful influence of association

CHAP. II.

Page 287

THE PLEASURES RECEIVED BY THE SENSES.

On rural and other senery. The remains of antiquity. -Modern productions.-Blindness. The sensations received by hearing. — On musical and other sounds. - On a taste for music. - Natural and unnatural music. On taste, smell, and touch.

On pain

295

CHAP. III.

ON LAUGHTER AND WEEPING.

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The physical cause of laughter. The subjects which excite laughter. The difficulty of refraining, on some occasions, from laughter. The effects of laughter. Objections to laughter considered. —

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The physical cause of weeping. Influences which excite weeping

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A

TREATISE

ON

HAPPINESS.

PART I.

PRELIMINARY REMARKS ON HAPPINESS.

HAPPINESS is a subject which has engaged the pen of moralists, historians, and poets, in every country and in every age; and yet there are few works which are expressly devoted to the regulation of human conduct for the purpose of producing enjoyment. Happiness is that sensation of pleasure or delight by which we are satisfied with ourselves and with all around us. It is a tranquillity; a sweet serenity; an assemblage of enchanting imagery, through which the imagination ranges: it is fairer than the visions of Eastern skies, and more. delightful than the perennial glories of a Mahometan paradise. But happiness, pure and unalloyed, is seldom to be found. The sun of enjoyment is frequently clouded; the ocean of life is agitated by storms.

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