DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.48956#0089
Ch. XV. EMOTIONS AND PASSIONS. 83
The effects produced in all beholders by exter-
nal signs ofpassion, tend fa visibly to advance the
facial hate, that I must indulge my heart with a
more narrow inspedlion of this admirable branch
of the human constitution. These external signs,
being all or them resol vable into color, figure,
and motion , Ihould not naturally make any deep
impression on a spedator: and supposing them
qualisied for making deep impressions, we have
seen above , that the effects they produce are not
Inch as might be expended. We cannot therefore
account otherwise far the operation of these ex-
ternal signs, but by ascribing it to the original con-
stitution of human nature : to improve the facial
state, by making us instindlively rejoice with the
glad of heart, weep with the mourner, and Ihu'n
those who threaten danger, is a contrivance no
less illustrious for its wisdom than for its benevo-
lence. With respedl to the external signs os di-
slress in particular, to judge os the excellency of
their contrivance , we need only ressect upon fave-
•speclacles altogether? And yet one who has scarce reco-
vered from the distress of a deep tragedy, resolves coolly
and deliberately to go to the very next, without the
ssightest obstrudion from sels-love. The whole mystery
is explained by a single observation, That sympathy , though
painsul, it at tradive, and attaches us to an objed in di-
stress, the oppositiou of felt-love notwithstanding, which
would prompt us to fly from it. And by this curious
rnechanism it is, that persons of any degree os sensibility
are attradcd by afflidion sti.ll more than by joy.
J? 2
The effects produced in all beholders by exter-
nal signs ofpassion, tend fa visibly to advance the
facial hate, that I must indulge my heart with a
more narrow inspedlion of this admirable branch
of the human constitution. These external signs,
being all or them resol vable into color, figure,
and motion , Ihould not naturally make any deep
impression on a spedator: and supposing them
qualisied for making deep impressions, we have
seen above , that the effects they produce are not
Inch as might be expended. We cannot therefore
account otherwise far the operation of these ex-
ternal signs, but by ascribing it to the original con-
stitution of human nature : to improve the facial
state, by making us instindlively rejoice with the
glad of heart, weep with the mourner, and Ihu'n
those who threaten danger, is a contrivance no
less illustrious for its wisdom than for its benevo-
lence. With respedl to the external signs os di-
slress in particular, to judge os the excellency of
their contrivance , we need only ressect upon fave-
•speclacles altogether? And yet one who has scarce reco-
vered from the distress of a deep tragedy, resolves coolly
and deliberately to go to the very next, without the
ssightest obstrudion from sels-love. The whole mystery
is explained by a single observation, That sympathy , though
painsul, it at tradive, and attaches us to an objed in di-
stress, the oppositiou of felt-love notwithstanding, which
would prompt us to fly from it. And by this curious
rnechanism it is, that persons of any degree os sensibility
are attradcd by afflidion sti.ll more than by joy.
J? 2