Many an hypothesis in nature, contrary to first appearances, has been found, on more accurate scrutiny, solid and satisfactory.
Instances of this kind are so frequent that a judicious, as well as witty philosopher, [Footnote: Mons.

Fontenelle.] has ventured to affirm, if there be more than one way in which any phenomenon may be produced, that there is general presumption for its arising from the causes which are the least obvious and familiar.

But the presumption always lies on the other side, in all enquiries concerning the origin of our passions, and of the internal operations of the human mind.

The simplest and most obvious cause which can there be assigned for any phenomenon, is probably the true one.

When a philosopher, in the explication of his system, is obliged to have recourse to some very intricate and refined reflections, and to suppose them essential to the production of any passion or emotion, we have reason to be extremely on our guard against so fallacious an hypothesis.