Solitude considered with respect to its influence upon the mind and the heart / written originally in German by M. Zimmermann, aulic counsellor and physician to His Britannic Majesty at Hanover ; translated from the French of J.B. Mercier.

  • Zimmermann, Johann Georg, 1728-1795.
Date:
1796
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Solitude considered with respect to its influence upon the mind and the heart / written originally in German by M. Zimmermann, aulic counsellor and physician to His Britannic Majesty at Hanover ; translated from the French of J.B. Mercier. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    am aware, that in fpeaking of the pleafures of the mind, fublime meditation, the profound dedu&ions of reafon, and the brilliant effufions of fancy are in general under- ftood; but there are alfo others, for the perfeft enjoy- ment of which neither extenfive knowledge nor extraor- dinary talents are neceflary. Thefe are the pleafures which remit from activity and employment; pleafures that are equally within the reach of the ignorant clown or learned philofopher, and which produce enjoyments no lefs exquifite than thofe we firft mentioned : the ex- ertion of manual labour, therefore, ought never to be defpifed. I am acquainted with gentlemen who are in- ftruclcd in the mechanifm of their own watches; who are able to work as painters, lockfmiths, carpenters; and who are not only furnifhed with almolt all the tools pro- per to every branch of trade, but know alfo how to ufe them : fuch characters never feel the leaft difquietude from the want of fociety, and are in confequence the happieft of men. The labours we experience in any art or fcience form the recreation of it; and, when carried to a certain de- gree of perfection, render man focial with himfelf, and counterbalance the greatefl: of moral evils. To conquer difficulties is to promote our pleafures; and every time our efforts attain to a certain point, from whence we can view with complacency the end of our labours, the foul feels an inexpreffible tranquillity and fatisfaftion, and, be- ing contented within itfelf, feeks for no higher pleafure. The enjoyments of the heart are within the reach of all men who, free, eafy, and affeftionate, are contented with themfelves, and pleafed with thofe about them. A- las ! how much fuperior, therefore, for this reafon, is the happinefs which a country life affords, to that deceitful felicity which is affe£ted in the courts of princes, and in the brilliant circles of the great and gay ; a truth feverely felt by men of worldly pleafure, and confeffed by their frequent complaints of reftleifnefs and languour; com- plaints