DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.18825#0256
1/0 OF EXPRESSION. [LECT. VII.
and this acknowledgment would be still more expli-
cit, and frequent, were it not for a thousand unhappy
causes which promote division and enmity between
creatures of the same species: different customs, in-
terests, manners, languages, all contribute to this
confusion; yet in spite of every obstacle, the neces-
sities of a fellow-man are at least understood, if not felt
and relieved by us. For, should a stranger from
some remote part of the globe request a service, or
intreat a favor, though ignorant of his language, we
should yet discover his meanings and his wants, if
they were natural; because we are well acquainted
with the manner in which we ourselves should in-
treat, if our situation required intreaty : as should
those whom we besought refuse our request, we
should perfectly comprehend their denial without a
word ; their actions, or their general appearance,
would relate it sufficiently.
This system, I apprehend, is the foundation of
expression in general, and is justly applicable to that
part of expression which now engages our consider-
ation ; for, the head being in a sense the source and
seat of passion, it is natural to suppose its effects
should be most evident, forcible, and intelligible in
that member.
Passion- is an emotion of the mind, which exerts
itself to attain what appears desirable, or to avoid
what appears offensive ; if disappointed in the at-
tainment of what is desired, or the prevention of
what is offensive, the sensations of the mind are pro-
portionate to its feeling, and its resentment. In ge-
neral, whatever affects the mind, produces an action
of
and this acknowledgment would be still more expli-
cit, and frequent, were it not for a thousand unhappy
causes which promote division and enmity between
creatures of the same species: different customs, in-
terests, manners, languages, all contribute to this
confusion; yet in spite of every obstacle, the neces-
sities of a fellow-man are at least understood, if not felt
and relieved by us. For, should a stranger from
some remote part of the globe request a service, or
intreat a favor, though ignorant of his language, we
should yet discover his meanings and his wants, if
they were natural; because we are well acquainted
with the manner in which we ourselves should in-
treat, if our situation required intreaty : as should
those whom we besought refuse our request, we
should perfectly comprehend their denial without a
word ; their actions, or their general appearance,
would relate it sufficiently.
This system, I apprehend, is the foundation of
expression in general, and is justly applicable to that
part of expression which now engages our consider-
ation ; for, the head being in a sense the source and
seat of passion, it is natural to suppose its effects
should be most evident, forcible, and intelligible in
that member.
Passion- is an emotion of the mind, which exerts
itself to attain what appears desirable, or to avoid
what appears offensive ; if disappointed in the at-
tainment of what is desired, or the prevention of
what is offensive, the sensations of the mind are pro-
portionate to its feeling, and its resentment. In ge-
neral, whatever affects the mind, produces an action
of