'You cannot resist the force of my reasoning--you, who are acquainted with, who know how to paint, in colours true to nature, the human heart--you, who admire, as a proof of power, the destructive courage of an Alexander, even the fanatic fury of a Ravaillac--you, who honour the pernicious ambition of an Augustus Cæsar, as bespeaking the potent, energetic, mind!--why should _you_ affect to be intolerant to a passion, though differing in nature, generated on the same principles, and by a parallel process. The capacity of perception, or of receiving sensation, is (or generates) the power; into what channel that power shall be directed, depends not on ourselves. Are we not the creatures of outward impressions? Without such impressions, should we be any thing? Are not passions and powers synonimous--or can the latter be produced without the lively interest that constitutes the former? Do you dream of annihilating the one--and will not the other be extinguished? With the apostle, Paul, permit me to say--"I am not mad, but speak the words of truth and soberness." 'To what purpose did you read my confessions, but to trace in them a character formed, like every other human character, by the result of unavoidable impressions, and the chain of necessary events. I feel, that my arguments are incontrovertible:--I suspect that, by affecting to deny their force, you will endeavour to deceive either me or yourself.--I have acquired the power of reasoning on this subject at a dear rate--at the expence of inconceivable suffering. Attempt not to deny me the miserable, expensive, victory. I am ready to say--(ungrateful that I am)--Why did you put me upon calling forth my strong reason? 'I perceive there is no cure for me--(apathy is, not the restoration to health, but, the morbid lethargy of the soul) but by a new train of impressions, of whatever nature, equally forcible with the past.--You will tell me, It remains with myself whether I will predetermine to resist such impressions. Is this true? Is it philosophical? Ask yourself. What!--can _even you_ shrink from the consequences of your own principles?