m,
fixed by gratitude, supported by inclination, and animated by the
tender solicitudes of love, whom the ancients have admirably
described under the appearance of a beautiful infant: It is pleased
with infantine amusements; it is delicate and affectionate, incapable
of mischief, delighted with trifles; its pleasures are gentle and
innocent.

THEY have given a very different representation of another passion,
too gross to be mentioned, but of which alone men, in general, are
susceptible. This they have described under the figure of a satyr,
who has more of the brute than of the man in his composition. By
this fabulous animal they have expressed a passion, which is the real
foundation of all the fine exploits of modish gallantry, and which
only endeavours to glut its appetite with the possession of the
object which is most lovely in its estimation: A passion founded in
injustice, supported by deceit, and attended by crimes, remorse,
jealousy, and contempt. Can such an affection be delightful to a
virtuous mind? Nevertheless, such is the delightful attendant on all
illicit engagements; gallants are obliged to abandon all those
sentiments of honour which are inseparable from a liberal education,
and are doomed to live wretchedly in the constant pursuit of what
reason condemns, to have all their pleasures embittered by remorse,
and to be reduced to the deplorable condition of having renounced
virtue, without being able to make vice agreeable.

IT is impossible to taste the delights of love in perfection, but in
a well assorted marriage; nothing betrays such a narrowness of mind
as to be governed by words. What though custom, for which good
reasons may be assigned, has made the words _husband_ and _wife_
somewhat ridiculous? A husband, in common acceptation, signifies a
jealous brute, a surly tyrant; or, at best, a weak fool, who may be
made to believe any thing. A wife is a domestic termagant, who is
destined to deceive or torment the poor devil of a husband. The
conduct of married people, in general, sufficiently justifies these
two characters.

BUT, as I said before, why should words impose upon us? A well
regulated marriage is not like these connections of interest or
ambition. A fond couple, attached to each other by mutual affection,
are two lovers who live happily together. Though the priest
pronounces certain words, though the lawyer draws up certain
instruments; yet I look on these preparatives in th