DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.18825#0259
lect. vii.] op expression. 173
tre in, one's self. I might call these natural passions:
such, undoubtedly, is love between the sexes, the
effect of inevitable and providential situation ; a pas-
sion which was exercised before man had any sense
of fear, of sorrow, of anger, or of compassion. De-
sire accompanies Love ; and Joy, as expressing satis-
faction in the object possessed. By compound pas-
sions, we may understand those which have more
than one object in apprehension, or which are com-
posed of several sensations. Take an instance in
fear, and its relatives. Were you to see a prodi-
gious stone failing from the top of some lofty preci-
pice on a person, you would feel a mixture of pas-
sions working within you : such as,—an alarm for his
danger,—a wish to save him,—a hope he may escape ;
if he really does escape, your anxiety is changed into
gratulation, and sympathetic joy : if he is crushed,
you pity his fate, you compassionate his misfortune.
Now here is no one simple passion exercised ; the
mind is variously agitated by objects, in which an
individual himself may have no personal share.
Should the subject of this event, whether of the
escape, or the disaster, be some near and beloved
friend ; it increases the vivacity and strength of our
sensations, and our possession, or our loss, impresses
us according to the esteem wherein we held the party.
The nearest approach to a single passion, would be a
sense of thankfulness, that this fatal accident did not
befall ourselves. Again, fear may be united with
anger, as resenting an injury; or with hatred, or
with jealousy, and suspicion : or any of these pas-
sions with each other. These compositions of ex-
pression
tre in, one's self. I might call these natural passions:
such, undoubtedly, is love between the sexes, the
effect of inevitable and providential situation ; a pas-
sion which was exercised before man had any sense
of fear, of sorrow, of anger, or of compassion. De-
sire accompanies Love ; and Joy, as expressing satis-
faction in the object possessed. By compound pas-
sions, we may understand those which have more
than one object in apprehension, or which are com-
posed of several sensations. Take an instance in
fear, and its relatives. Were you to see a prodi-
gious stone failing from the top of some lofty preci-
pice on a person, you would feel a mixture of pas-
sions working within you : such as,—an alarm for his
danger,—a wish to save him,—a hope he may escape ;
if he really does escape, your anxiety is changed into
gratulation, and sympathetic joy : if he is crushed,
you pity his fate, you compassionate his misfortune.
Now here is no one simple passion exercised ; the
mind is variously agitated by objects, in which an
individual himself may have no personal share.
Should the subject of this event, whether of the
escape, or the disaster, be some near and beloved
friend ; it increases the vivacity and strength of our
sensations, and our possession, or our loss, impresses
us according to the esteem wherein we held the party.
The nearest approach to a single passion, would be a
sense of thankfulness, that this fatal accident did not
befall ourselves. Again, fear may be united with
anger, as resenting an injury; or with hatred, or
with jealousy, and suspicion : or any of these pas-
sions with each other. These compositions of ex-
pression