Helvetius, who has scrutinised the effects of first impressions, with an
acuteness which few of our moral philosophers can boast, led me, the
other day, to consider on his theory, the origin of those refined and
delicate sensations, which, in the mutual attachment of the sexes, give
birth to the choicest blessings of humanity. According to his way of
reasoning, I should suppose our ideas of beauty, and those expressions
of the countenance which captivate the heart, should be ascribed to the
earliest impressions on the mind. Every one’s experience will suggest to
him the proof of this assertion. The first impression I can recollect
when my eyes opened upon this world, was the sight of a beautiful
mother, who hung over me with looks of the most fervent love. A face
like hers, to me therefore, naturally became the most agreeable object
in nature: And it must be to some secret analogy of feature that I owe
that delirium of love, which I have since experienced from the charms of
a mistress, whose countenance bore all those striking expressions of
tenderness which characterised hers.
So much for the definition.---I cannot but add, how truly deplorable it
is, that a passion which constitutes almost the only honourable _trait_
in human nature, should now be every where trampled upon by avarice. For
my part, altho’ I have suffered more from the _fancied_ than ever I
shall probably again from the real preference of a wealthy rival, yet,
I trust I shall not witness, as our country advances, the same instances
of legal prostitution as I have done in some other parts of the world.
With us it is still more unpardonable; as the means of bettering our
fortunes are so much more easy or certain. If there are those who are so
far insensible to the refinements of sentiment as to give a preference
to those enjoyments which are to be purchased, let them recollect, that
by renouncing an union of the same taste and disposition, they abandon
the only hope they can confidently entertain of nuptial constancy and
domestic sunshine. If any one objects to me, that I may frequently be
mistaken in this result of sincere love, I should still exclaim
“O mentis gratissimus error!”--and wish for
“Tribus _Anticyris_ caput insanabile nusquam.”
Yours, &c.