§ 12. Popular Prejudices.

As whole communities sometimes entertain an uniformity in sentiment, with their correspondent predilections and aversions; thus are they not unfrequently divided and subdivided into sects and parties, each of which is rigidly tenacious of a particular class of ideas, contracts very strong attachments to the espousers of the same cause, and thinks itself fully authorized to treat those of opposite sentiments, with contempt and hatred. Philosophy, religion, and politics manifest also, in a thousand instances, the influence of this principle. The two former are distinguished into a diversity of schools and sects, which cherish the flattering idea that they are the sole supporters of truth. Thus it is that a zealous attachment to particular sentiments, is seldom the result of an impartial examination. It is often the consequence of an early education, and often it proceeds from an implicit confidence in the virtues, talents, and superior judgment of their chief, or some other incidental circumstance, which has cast the mind in the mould of particular opinions, and made an impression upon it too deep ever to be obliterated.

Nor does this principle cease to operate, in countries which deem themselves the most remote from servile attachments, or unfounded prejudices. The rancorous spirit which too frequently prevails in every contested election, will avouch the truth of our assertion. Candidates for some particular office, professedly of high importance to the interests of the community, at once start forth from obscurity. They are immediately idolized by one party, as the mirrors of every excellence, and stigmatized by the other, as totally devoid of merit, and unworthy the name of maŋ. Social intercourse is interrupted;-intimate friends become implacable enemies ;-and during this wretched ferment, a total suspension takes place of all the principles of honour and integrity; while every sluice of scandal and defamation is thrown open, without reserve and without remorse. Partiality and prejudice act and re-act like the waves of the troubled sea, until they are worked up into a tremendous storm. At these periods. such phrensies have been known to disturb the brain, that the wanton shouts of a mob have been productive of outrage and murder, and the colour of a ribband has excited con

vulsions, as violent as those produced by the sight of water in the canine madness!

To this principle also may we not ascribe a phenomenon, which appears otherwise inexplicable. Persons who in their individual cha racters are highly respectable, both for sound sense and integrity, will frequently in their political capacities, pursue a conduct the most inconsistent with either ;-uniformly act on the ex-. travagant idea, that the existent Minister, whoever he may be, is uniformly right in his principles, perfectly disinterested in all his actions, and infallible in his plans: or, on the. contrary, will regularly and incessantly oppose him; as a compound of depravity and ignorance; whose every plan is big with mischief, and every exertion of power the application of the strength of a Samson, to overthrow the pillars of the constitution!

§ 13. Associated Affections.

The influence of Association, in suggesting of thoughts, has frequently engaged the attention of philosophers; and the power of trivial incidents to recall former ideas, is universally

confessed. But their power is perhaps equally extensive over the affections.

As one passion or affection pre-disposes the mind to the indulgence of that which most nearly resembles it, thus all the affections which have been indulged to a considerable degree, seem to change the complexion of every surrounding object. Places in which we have been happy, strike us, as if they had been both witnesses and participants of our bliss; while distress invariably diffuses a gloom over locality itself, and over every circumstance that reminds us of what we have felt. Nor can we call to our recollection any place, in which we have enjoyed peculiar satisfaction, without feeling an affection for that spot; or recollect scenes of unhappiness, without feeling something like resentment against the theatre of our sufferings. The traveller, who has been happy in a foreign coun try, contracts a partiality for every thing belonging to it: if he has been ill received and ill treated, the gayest scenes and most advantageous circumstances belonging to that country, will, upon recollection, inspire him with displacency, if not with horror.

This principle is very extensive in its influence. It is this which renders the spot where the Lover enjoys the company of his mistress, a paradise

in his sight, however different its aspect may be to another. The slightest present, as a token of Affection, inspires exquisite delight: a trinket, or a lock of hair, are, to him, of more worth than a kingdom. It is this principle which enstamps an inestimable value upon the relicts of Saints and Martyrs; and empowers fragments of their garments, their very teeth and nails, to work miracles, in the opinion of the devotee. In its more moderate exertions, it inspires a strong attachment to every thing which was once our friend's. It is this principle of association, which so easily implants in the religious and devout mind, a veneration for the place destined to the offices of religion; and inscribes Holiness upon the edifice devoted to sacred purposes.

The same principle renders innumerable circumstances, in common life, of considerable importance; and in conjunction with habit, enables us to derive comfort from peculiarities of state and situation, which do not possess any intrinsic advantage. Every thing around us becomes, as it were, congenial to our natures; and the pleasures of yesterday are revived in the objects of to-day.

This associating principle extends its influence to the article of dress, and inspires a degree of