these appear to be the only two kinds of emotion
which are peculiar to this mode of reflection, or arise
in the representation of its peculiar object. When
the different organs of the body and the different
bodily and mental functions are compared with each
other, we feel shame in contemplating some and pride
in contemplating others, and are prompted to con-
ceal and forget the one, to display and dwell upon
the others. This in its earliest shape is the first
moral judgment that we pass upon ourselves; and
the shame which in this way takes its origin, so far
from becoming outworn in the progress of reflection,
is deepened and its sphere extended; in other words,
we become more sensitive and more refined, and a
greater number of things are classed among tacenda.
The acts which minister directly to the health and
nourishment of the body and the gratification of the
sensations, and of some of the emotions, and the in-
struments of these, weaknesses of body and of mind,
some kinds of ignorance and want of capacity for
mental enjoyments, whatever betrays a low grade
of endowment, we cover with a wise dissimulation,
as "ills that flesh is heir to." The French term
pudeur seems exactly to express the feeling which
is called out painfully or wounded by any lifting of
the veil of the tacenda. A certain kind of dissimu-
lation appears to be the very condition of escaping
from the burthen of these ills, which is only lightened
by being forgotten. When however this forgetful-
ness is not a purposed dissimulation, but the powers
and endowments which are its counterpoise are dwelt
on as if they were alone the whole nature, then there
arises the opposite emotion, pride, an overweening
estimate of self. If we do not forget but purposely

-217-