*The paffion the painter would endeavour to exprefs here would be ECSTASY, or joy heightened by the contrary passion. SECT. SECT. LXXXII. ABSENCE. ROCHEFOUCALT has very well remarked, that abfence destroys weak paffions, but increases strong, as the wind extinguishes a candle, but blows up a fire. Long abfence naturally weakens the idea, and diminishes the paffion*: but where the affection is fo ftrong and lively as * Absence may be too long, and then, instead of being an indire& ftimulus, will exhibit its fedative effect. Hence people go abroad to overcome the paffion of love; or, As when fome youth of firm and conftant mind, and, after many a year of toil and care, returns impatient to review the fair, a wan complexion, and a fhrivell'd hide- |