Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Love

LOVE, generally speaking, denotes all those pleasing sensations which are excited by certain objects, or incidents. It, however, more frequently expresses that affection which consists of personal desire, esteem, and benevolence; which forms a bond of attachment, and cements the union of individuals of different sexes; so that each feels, in the society of the other, a kind of happiness which no other object can impart.

The effects of this passion, on the efforts and disposition of man, are often surprizing: it operates in a manner equally beneficial on the body, and has sometimes remedied the most inveterate complaints, which had defeated the skill of physicians, and resisted the powers of medicine.

Though the most impetuous of all the passions, its progress is generally slow; and, if due precautions were taken, it would seldom be attended with unfavourable consequences.—Reason, however, often fails to subdue the first attacks of love, so that it ceases to excite pleasure, and not unfrequently reduces its victim to the lowest state of despondency. Hence it is advisable to remove every object, that tends to kindle the passion; and to introduce the patient into cheerful society. With the same intention, the strictest temperance should be observed; the mind and body alternately employed, by study or exercise; while the diet ought to be low, and less nourishing than usual. But the most efficacious remedy, in the plurality of instances, would be the union of the two parties; and, if parents were more solicitous to consult the real inclination and interest of their children, we are persuaded, that not only the number of wretched couples might be considerably diminished, but the public streets of populous cities would not be infested with those hapless females, who are at present doomed to perdition:—they afford, indeed, too many incontestable proofs of the imperfect state of society.