y consists of an agreeable reverie, and is well
ridiculed in the story of Narcissus, who so long contemplated his own
beautiful image in the water, that he died from neglect of taking
sustenance. I once saw a handsome young man, who had been so much flattered
by his parents, that his vanity rose so near to insanity, that one might
discern by his perpetual attention to himself, and the difficulty with
which he arranged his conversation, that the idea of himself intruded
itself at every comma or pause of his discourse. In this degree vanity must
afford great pleasure to the possessor; and when it exists within moderate
bounds, may contribute much to the happiness of social life.

My friend Mr. ---- once complained to me, that he was much troubled with
bashfulness in company, and believed that it arose from his want of
personal vanity; on this account he determined on a journey to Paris, when
Paris was the center of politeness; he there learnt to dress, to dance, and
to move his hands gracefully in conversation; and returned a most
consummate coxcomb. But after a very few years he relapsed into rusticity
of dress and manners.

M. M. The cure of vanity may be attempted by excess of flattery, which will
at length appear ridiculous, or by its familiarity will cease to be
desired. I remember to have heard a story of a nobleman in the court of
France, when France had a court, who was so disagreeably vain in
conversation, that the king was pleased to direct his cure, which was thus
performed. Two gentlemen were directed always to attend him, one was to
stand behind his chair, and the other at a respectful distance before him;
whenever his lordship began to speak, one of them always pronounced, "Lord
Gallimaufre is going to say the best thing in the world." And, as soon as
his lordship had done speaking, the other attendant pronounced, "Lord
Gallimaufre has spoken the best thing in the world." Till in a few weeks
this noble lord was so disgusted with praise that he ceased to be vain; and
his majesty dismissed his keepers.

6. _Nostalgia._ Maladie de Pais. Calenture. An unconquerable desire of
returning to one's native country, frequent in long voyages, in which the
patients become so insane as to throw themselves into the sea, mistaking it
for green fields or meadows. The Swiss are said to be particularly liable
to this disease, and when taken into foreign service frequently to desert
from this cause, and especially after hearin