Book contents
- Frontmatter
- CONTENTS
- Acknowledgements
- Introduction
- Select Bibliography
- Note on the Texts
- The Rash Resolve: or, the Untimely Discovery
- Life’s Progress through the Passions: or, The Adventures of Natura
- LIFE'S PROGRESS THROUGH THE PASSIONS: INTRODUCTION
- Book the First
- BOOK the Second
- BOOK the Third
- CHAP. I Shews in what manner anger and revenge operate on the mind, and how ambition is capable of stifling both, in a remarkable instance, that private injuries, how great soever, may seem of no weight, when public grandeur requires they should be looked over
- CHAP. II Shews at what age men are most liable to the passion of grief: the impatience of human nature under affliction, and the necessity there is of exerting reason, to restrain the excesses it would otherwise occasion
- CHAP. III The struggles which different passions occasion in the human breast, are here exemplified, and that there is no one among them so strong, but may be extirpated by another, excepting revenge, which knows no period, but by gratification
- CHAP. IV Contains a further definition of revenge, its force, effects, and the chasm it leaves on the mind when once it ceases The tranquility of being entirely devoid of all passions; and the impossibility for the soul to remain in that state of inactivity is also shewn; with some remarks on human nature in general, when left to itself
- CHAP. V Contains a remarkable proof, that tho' the passions may operate with greater velocity and vehemence in youth, yet they are infi nitely more strong and permanent, when the person is arrived at maturity, and are then scarce ever eradicated. Love and friendship are then, and not till then, truly worthy of the names they bear; and that the one between those of diff erent sexes, is always the consequence of the other
- CHAP. VI How the most powerful emotions of the mind subside, and grow weaker in proportion as the strength of the body decays, is here exemplified; and that such passions as remain after a certain age, are not properly the incentives of nature but of example, long habitude, or ill humour
- Editorial Notes
- Silent Corrections
CHAP. V - Contains a remarkable proof, that tho' the passions may operate with greater velocity and vehemence in youth, yet they are infi nitely more strong and permanent, when the person is arrived at maturity, and are then scarce ever eradicated. Love and friendship are then, and not till then, truly worthy of the names they bear; and that the one between those of diff erent sexes, is always the consequence of the other
from BOOK the Third
- Frontmatter
- CONTENTS
- Acknowledgements
- Introduction
- Select Bibliography
- Note on the Texts
- The Rash Resolve: or, the Untimely Discovery
- Life’s Progress through the Passions: or, The Adventures of Natura
- LIFE'S PROGRESS THROUGH THE PASSIONS: INTRODUCTION
- Book the First
- BOOK the Second
- BOOK the Third
- CHAP. I Shews in what manner anger and revenge operate on the mind, and how ambition is capable of stifling both, in a remarkable instance, that private injuries, how great soever, may seem of no weight, when public grandeur requires they should be looked over
- CHAP. II Shews at what age men are most liable to the passion of grief: the impatience of human nature under affliction, and the necessity there is of exerting reason, to restrain the excesses it would otherwise occasion
- CHAP. III The struggles which different passions occasion in the human breast, are here exemplified, and that there is no one among them so strong, but may be extirpated by another, excepting revenge, which knows no period, but by gratification
- CHAP. IV Contains a further definition of revenge, its force, effects, and the chasm it leaves on the mind when once it ceases The tranquility of being entirely devoid of all passions; and the impossibility for the soul to remain in that state of inactivity is also shewn; with some remarks on human nature in general, when left to itself
- CHAP. V Contains a remarkable proof, that tho' the passions may operate with greater velocity and vehemence in youth, yet they are infi nitely more strong and permanent, when the person is arrived at maturity, and are then scarce ever eradicated. Love and friendship are then, and not till then, truly worthy of the names they bear; and that the one between those of diff erent sexes, is always the consequence of the other
- CHAP. VI How the most powerful emotions of the mind subside, and grow weaker in proportion as the strength of the body decays, is here exemplified; and that such passions as remain after a certain age, are not properly the incentives of nature but of example, long habitude, or ill humour
- Editorial Notes
- Silent Corrections
Summary
THE inclination we have, and the pleasure it gives us to think well of our abilities, leads us frequently into the most gross mistakes, concerning the springs of action in our breasts. We are apt to ascribe to the strength of our reason, what is in reality the effect of one or other of the passions, sometimes even those of the worst kind, and which a sound judgment would most condemn, and endeavour to extirpate. – Man is a stranger to nothing, more than to himself; – the recesses of his own heart, are no less impenetrable to him, than the worlds beyond the moon; – he is blinded by vanity, and agitated by desires he knows not he is possessed of.
It was not reason but revenge, which dissipated the immoderate grief of Natura on the death of his son; – it was not reason but pride, which made him see the inconveniencies of marrying with Lœtitia, – and yet doubtless he gave the praise of these events to the strength of his prudence: to that too he also ascribed the resolution he now took of living single during the remainder of his life; whereas it was in truth only owing to his being at present acquainted with no object capable of inspiring him with the tender passion.
As he was now entirely free from all business, or avocation of any kind whatsoever, it came into his head to go and pass some part of the summer season with his sister: – he accordingly crossed the country to her seat, and was received with all imaginable demonstrations of joy, both by herself and husband.
He found their family increased by the addition of a lady, who preferring a country to a town life, had desired to board with them, which was readily granted by the sister of Natura, not only as she was a relation of her husband, but also for the sake of having a companion so perfectly agreeable as this lady was in every respect.
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- The Rash Resolve and Life's Progressby Eliza Haywood, pp. 185 - 195Publisher: Pickering & ChattoFirst published in: 2014