XED and affectionate attachment softens every emotion of the
soul, and renders every object agreeable which presents itself to the
happy lover (I mean one who is married to his mistress). If he
exercises any employment, the fatigues of the camp, the troubles of
the court, all become agreeable, when he reflects, that he endures
these inconveniences to serve the object of his affections. If
fortune is favourable to him, (for success does not depend on merit)
all the advantages it procures, are so many tributes which he thinks
due to the charms of the lovely fair; and, in gratifying this
ambition, he feels a more lively pleasure, and more worthy of an
honest man, than that of raising his fortune, and gaining public
applause. He enjoys glory, titles, and riches, no farther than as
they regard her he loves; and when he attracts the approbation of a
senate, the applause of an army, or the commendation of his prince,
it is her praises which ultimately flatter him.

IN a reverse of fortune, he has the consolation of retiring to one
who is affected by his disgrace; and, locked in her embraces, he has
the satisfaction of giving utterance to the following tender
reflections: "My happiness does not depend on the caprice of fortune;
"I have a constant asylum against inquietude. Your esteem renders me
"insensible of the injustice of a court, or the ingratitude of a
"master; and my losses afford me a kind of pleasure, since they
"furnish me with fresh proofs of your virtue and affection. Of what
"use is grandeur to those who are already happy? We have no need of
"flatterers, we want no equipages; I reign in your affections, and I
"enjoy every delight in the possession of your person."

IN short, there is no situation in which melancholy may not be
assuaged by the company of the beloved object. Sickness itself is
not without its alleviation, when we have the pleasure of being
attended by her we love. I should never conclude, if I attempted to
give a detail of all the delights of an attachment, wherein we meet
with every thing which can flatter the senses with the most lively
and diffusive raptures. But I must not omit taking notice of the
pleasure of beholding the lovely pledges of a tender friendship,
daily growing up, and of amusing ourselves, according to our
different sexes, in training them to perfection. We give way to this
agreeable instinct of nature, refined by love. In a daughter, we
praise the beauty of her moth