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hose of sensibility。 I have been at the opera in England and in Italy； where I have seen the same pieces and the same performers： and yet the same music produces such different effects on the two nations： one is so cold and phlegmatic； and the other so lively and enraptured； that it seems almost inconceivable。
It is the same with regard to pain； which is excited by the laceration of some fibre of the body。 The Author of nature has made it an established rule that this pain should be more acute in proportion as the laceration is greater： now it is evident that the large bodies and coarse fibres of the people of the north are less capable of laceration than the delicate fibres of the inhabitants of warm countries； consequently the soul is there less sensible of pain。 You must flay a Muscovite alive to make him feel。
From this delicacy of organs peculiar to warm climates it follows that the soul is most sensibly moved by whatever relates to the union of the two sexes： here everything leads to this object。
In northern climates scarcely has the animal part of love a power of making itself felt。 In temperate climates； love； attended by a thousand appendages； endeavours to please by things that have at first the appearance； though not the reality； of this passion。 In warmer climates it is liked for its own sake； it is the only cause of happiness； it is life itself。
In southern countries a machine of a delicate frame but strong sensibility resigns itself either to a love which rises and is incessantly laid in a seraglio； or to a passion which leaves women in a greater independence； and is consequently exposed to a thousand inquietudes。 In northern regions a machine robust and heavy finds pleasure in whatever is apt to throw the spirits into motion； such as hunting； travelling； war； and wine。 If we travel towards the north； we meet with people who have few vices； many virtues； and a great share of frankness and sincerity。 If we draw near the south； we fancy ourselves entirely removed from the verge of morality； here the strongest passions are productive of all manner of crimes； each man endeavouring； let the means be what they will； to indulge his inordinate desires。 In temperate climates we find the inhabitants inconstant in their manners； as well as in their vices and virtues： the climate has not a quality determinate enough to fix them。
The heat of the climate may be so excessive as to deprive the body of all vigour and strength。 Then the faintness is communicated to the mind； there is no curiosity； no enterprise； no generosity of sentiment； the inclinations are all passive； indolence constitutes the utmost happiness； scarcely any punishment is so severe as mental employment； and slavery is more supportable than the force and vigour of mind necessary for human conduct。
3。 Contradiction in the Tempers of some Southern Nations。 The Indians＇5＇ are naturally a pusillanimous people； even the children＇6＇ of Europeans born in India lose the courage peculiar to their own climate。 But how shall we reconcile this with their customs and penances so full of barbarity？ The men voluntarily undergo the greatest hardships； and the women burn themselves； here we find a very odd compound of fortitude and weakness。
Nature； having framed those people of a texture so weak as to fill them with timidity； has formed them at the same time of an imagination so lively that every object makes the strongest impression upon them。 That delicacy of organs which renders them apprehensive of death contributes likewise to make them dread a thousand things more than death： the very same sensibility induces them to fly and dare all dangers。
As a good education is more necessary to children than to such as have arrived at maturity of understanding； so the inhabitants of those countries have much greater need than the European nations of a wiser legislator。 The greater their sensibility； the more it behoves them to receive proper impressions； to imbibe no prejudices； and to let themselves be directed by reason。
At the time of the Romans the inhabitants of the north of Europe were destitute of arts； education； and almost of laws； and yet the good sense annexed to the gross fibres of those climates enabled them to make an admirable stand against the power of Rome； till the memorable period in which they quitted their woods to subvert that great empire。
4。 Cause of the Immutability of Religion； Manners； Customs； and Laws in the Eastern Countries。 If to that delicacy of organs which renders the eastern nations so susceptible of every impression you add likewise a sort of indolence of mind； naturally connected with that of the body； by means of which they grow incapable of any exertion or effort； it is easy to comprehend that when once the soul has received an impression it cannot change it。 This is the reason that the laws； manners； and customs；＇7＇ even those which seem quite indifferent； such as their mode of dress； are the same to this very day in eastern countries as they were a thousand years ago。
5。 That those are bad Legislators who favour the Vices of the Climate； and good Legislators who oppose those Vices。 The Indians believe that repose and non…existence are the foundation of all things； and the end in which they terminate。 Hence they consider entire inaction as the most perfect of all states； and the object of their desires。 To the Supreme Being they give the title of immovable。＇8＇ The inhabitants of Siam believe that their utmost happiness＇9＇ consists in not being obliged to animate a machine； or to give motion to a body。
In those countries where the excess of heat enervates and exhausts the body； rest is so delicious； and motion so painful； that this system of metaphysics seems natural； and Foe；＇10＇ the legislator of the Indies； was directed by his own sensations when he placed mankind in a state extremely passive； but his doctrine arising from the laziness of the climate favoured it also in its turn； which has been the source of an infinite deal of mischief。
The legislators of China were more rational when； considering men not in the peaceful state which they are to enjoy hereafter； but in the situation proper for discharging the several duties of life； they made their religion； philosophy； and laws all practical。 The more the physical causes incline mankind to inaction； the more the moral causes should estrange them from it。
6。 Of Agriculture in warm Climates。 Agriculture is the principal labour of man。 The more the climate inclines him to shun this labour； the more the religion and laws of the country ought to incite him to it。 Thus the Indian laws； which give the lands to the prince； and destroy the spirit of property among the subjects； increase the bad effects of the climate； that is； their natural indolence。
7。 Of Monkery。 The very same mischiefs result from monkery： it had its rise in the warm countries of the East； where they are less inclined to action than to speculation。
In Asia the number of dervishes or monks seems to increase together with the warmth of the climate。 The Indies； where the heat is excessive； are full of them； and the same difference is found in Europe。
In order to surmount the laziness of the climate； the laws ought to endeavour to remove all means of subsisting without labour： but in the southern parts of Europe they act quite the reverse。 To those who want to live in a state of indolence； they afford retreats the most proper for a speculative life； and endow them with immense revenues。 These men； who live in the midst of plenty which they know not how to enjoy； are in the right to give their superfluities away to the common people。 The poor are bereft of property； and these men indemnify them by supporting them in idleness； so as to make them even grow fond of their misery。
8。 An excellent Custom of China。 The historical relations＇11＇ of China mention a ceremony＇12＇ of opening the ground which the emperor performs every year。 The design of this public and solemn act is to excite the people to tillage。＇13＇
Further； the emperor is every year informed of the husbandman who has distinguished himself most in his profession； and he makes him a mandarin of the eighth order。
Among the ancient Persians＇14＇ the kings quitted their grandeur and pomp on the eighth day of the month； called Chorrem…ruz； to eat with the husbandmen。 These institutions were admirably calculated for the encouragement of agriculture。
9。 Means of encouraging Industry。 We shall show； in the nineteenth book； that lazy nations are generally proud。 Now the effect might well be turned against the cause； and laziness be destroyed by pride。 In the south of Europe； where people have such a high notion of the point of honour； it would be right to give prizes to husbandmen who had excelled in agriculture； or to artists who had made the greatest improvements in their several professions。 This practice has succeeded in our days in Ireland； where it has established one of the most considerable linen manufactures in Europe。
10。 Of the Laws in relation to the Sobriety of the People。 In warm countries the aqueous part of the blood loses itself greatly by perspiration；＇15＇ it must therefore be supplied by a like liquid。 Water is t