Whether these or other Motives are most predominant, we learn from the modern Histories of America, as well as from our own Experience in this Part of the World, that Jealousy is no Northern Passion, but rages most in those Nations that lie nearest the Influence of the Sun.  It is a Misfortune for a Woman to be born between the Tropicks; for there lie the hottest Regions of Jealousy, which as you come Northward cools all along with the Climate, till you scarce meet with any thing like it in the Polar Circle.  Our own Nation is very temperately situated in this respect; and if we meet with some few disordered with the Violence of this Passion, they are not the proper Growth of our Country, but are many Degrees nearer the Sun in their Constitutions than in their Climate.

After this frightful Account of Jealousy, and the Persons [who [8]] are most subject to it, it will be but fair to shew by what means the Passion may be best allay’d, and those who are possessed with it set at Ease.  Other Faults indeed are not under the Wife’s Jurisdiction, and should, if possible, escape her Observation; but Jealousy calls upon her particularly for its Cure, and deserves all her Art and Application in the Attempt:  Besides, she has this for her Encouragement, that her Endeavours will be always pleasing, and that she will still find the Affection of her Husband rising towards her in proportion as his Doubts and Suspicions vanish; for, as we have seen all along, there is so great a Mixture of Love in Jealousy as is well worth separating.  But this shall be the Subject of another Paper.

L.

[Footnote 1:  ‘Miscellanies’ by the late lord Marquis of Halifax (George Saville, who died in 1695), 1704, pp. 18-31.]

[Footnote 2: 

’When you are in company with that Soldier, behave as if you were absent:  but continue to love me by Day and by Night:  want me; dream of me; expect me; think of me; wish for me; delight in me:  be wholly with me:  in short, be my very Soul, as I am yours.’]

[Footnote 3:  ‘Ecclus’. ix.  I.]

[Footnote 4:  that]

[Footnote 5:  that]

[Footnote 6:  formerly]

[Footnote 7:  that]

[Footnote 8:  that]

* * * * *

No. 171.  Saturday, Sept. 15, 1711.  Addison.

      ‘Credula res amor est ...’

      Ovid.  Met.

Having in my Yesterday’s Paper discovered the Nature of Jealousie, and pointed out the Persons who are most subject to it, I must here apply my self to my fair Correspondents, who desire to live well with a Jealous Husband, and to ease his Mind of its unjust Suspicions.