The longer I
live, I see more reason to believe that prejudices of education
are never wholly eradicated, even when they are discovered to be
erroneous and absurd. Such habits of thinking as interest the
grand passions, cleave to the human heart in such a manner, that
though an effort of reason may force them from their hold for a
moment, this violence no sooner ceases, than they resume their
grasp with an increased elasticity and adhesion.
I am led into this reflection, by what passed at the duke's table
after supper. The conversation turned upon the vulgar notions of
spirits and omens, that prevail among the commonalty of North-Britain,
and all the company agreed, that nothing could be more
ridiculous. One gentleman, however, told a remarkable story of
himself, by way of speculation 'Being on a party of hunting in
the North (said he), I resolved to visit an old friend, whom I
had not seen for twenty years -- So long he had been retired and
sequestered from all his acquaintance, and lived in a moping
melancholy way, much afflicted with lowness of spirits,
occasioned by the death of his wife, whom he had loved with
uncommon affection.
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