lar disturbed motions, which they
raise in the animal spirits.

2. I scarce remember in my own observation, to have met with many old
men, or with such, who (to use our _English_ phrase) _were well_, that
had not at least a certain indolence in their humour, if not a more than
ordinary gaiety and cheerfulness of heart. The truth of it is, health
and cheerfulness mutually beget each other; with this difference, that
we seldom meet with a great degree of health which is not attended with
a certain cheerfulness, but very often see cheerfulness where there is
no great degree of health.

3. Cheerfulness bears the same friendly regard to the mind as to the
body: it banishes all anxious care and discontent, soothes and composes
the passions, and keeps the soul in a perpetual calm. But, having
already touched on this last consideration, I shall here take notice,
that the world in which we are placed is filled with innumerable objects
that are proper to raise and keep alive this happy temper of mind.

4. If we consider the world in its subserviency to man, one would think
it was made for our use; but if we consider it in its natural beauty and
harmony, one would be apt to conclude it was made for our pleasure. The
sun, which is as the great soul of the universe, and produces all the
necessaries of life, has a particular influence in cheering the mind of
man; and making the heart glad.

5. Those several living creatures which are made for our service or
sustenance, at the same time either fill the woods with their music,
furnish us with game, or raise pleasing ideas in us by the
delightfulness of their appearance. Fountains, lakes and rivers, are as
refreshing to the imagination as to the soul through which they pass.

6. There are writers of great distinction, who have made it an argument
for Providence, that the whole earth is covered with green, rather than
with any other colour, as being such a right mixture of light and shade,
that it comforts and strengthens the eye instead of weakening or
grieving it. For this reason several painters have a green cloth hanging
near them, to ease the eye upon after too great an application to their
colouring.

7. A famous modern philosopher accounts for it in the following
manner:--All colours that are more luminous, overpower and dissipate the
animal spirits which are employed insight: on the contrary, those that
are more obscure do not give the animal spirits a sufficient exercise;