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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 July 2011
LETTER I.
JULIA TO CAROLINE.
IN vain, dear Caroline, you urge me to think, I profess only to feel.
“Reflect upon my own feelings! analyze “my notions of happiness! explain to “you my system!—” My system! But I have no system: that is the very difference between us. My notions of happiness cannot be resolved into simple, fixed, principles. Nor dare I even attempt to analyse them, the subtle essence would escape in the process: Just punifhment to the alchemist in morality!—You, Caroline are of a more sedate, contemplative character.
Philosophy becomes the rigid mistress of your life, enchanting enthusiasm the companion of mine. Suppose she lead me now and then in pursuit of a meteor; am not I happy in the chace? When one illusion vanishes, another shall appear, and still leading me forward towards an horizon that retreats as I advance, the happy prospect of futurity shall vanish only with my existence.
“Reflect upon my feelings!“—dear Caroline, is it not enough that I do Feel?—All that I dread is that apathy which philosophers call tranquillity. You tell me that by continually indulging I shall weaken my natural sensibility; are not all the faculties of the foul improved, refined by exercise, and why shall this be excepted from the general law?
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