Author: STAEL (Anne-Louise-Germaine Necker), Mme de:
Title: A Treatise on the Influence of the Passions upon the Happiness of Individuals and Nations. Illustrated by Striking References to the Principal Events and Characters that have distinguished the French Revolution. From the French of The Baroness Stael Holstein. To which is prefixed A Sketch of her Life, by the Translator.
Description: London: Printed and Published by George Cawthorn..., 1798. FIRST ENGLISH TRANSLATION. 8vo, 216 x 127 mms. pp. [iii] - xx, 344, contemporary mottled calf, rebacked, hinges reinforced with tape; spine slightly creased, joints slightly cracked. Mm de Stael's De l'Influence des Passions sur le Bonheur des Individus et des Nations was first published in 1796. The anonymous translator gives a brief sketch of her life and writes as if he has met her. He concludes by quoting the notice in the Monthly Review, saying that it was "written with a smooth propriety, often bordering on elegance, but never aspiring to eloquence; yet it is sufficiently enriched with new, sensible, and valuable reflections and observations." "n the first part of this work, the author attempts to describe the influence of the passions of man upon his own personal happiness, then to examine this same influence on nations. She argues that from the passions, that impulsive force which domineers over the will of man, arises the principal obstacle to individual and political happiness. The author defines happiness as the re-union of contraries, and as an object beyond the reach of human efforts. Happiness that is attainable, can only be accomplished by a patient study of the means that can shield us from the greater ills of life. To the investigation of these means the present treatise is devoted. This chapter also outlines the scope of the rest of the book, undertaking to discuss both individual and national passions and happiness. The second part of this chapter marks out a sketch of de Stael's thoughts on the history of ancient and modern governments and the French revolution in terms of passion and happiness" (APAPsycNet).

Keywords: philosophy women prose


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