PART II.

PHILOSOPHICAL OBSERVATIONS

AND

INQUIRIES,

Founded upon the preceding Analysis.

CHAP. I.

Observations respecting the Laws of Excitement.

OBSERVATION I.

Surprise the efficient Cause of PASSION.

In different parts of our Analysis of the Passions, the influence of the introductory emotions, in quickening affections of the most opposite nature into a passion, has fully appeared. It has been shewn, that whatever strikes us in a sudden and unexpected manner, generally makes, for the instant, a more vivid impression, than things and circumstances of much greater consequence, with which we have been familiarized, or which have been more slowly and pro

gressively introduced to our notice. It has been rendered obvious, that Wonder is compounded of surprise, and the impression made upon the mind; by the idea of Intricacy;-and that Astonishment unites the perception of vastness with surprise-we have remarked, that these are, by universal suffrage, emphatically termed emotions ;-and we have seen the influence of these introductory emotions, in passions of the most opposite characters.

These considerations united make it highly probable, that the essential and characteristic difference between a Passion and an Affection, depends upon the superaddition of Surprise, to the natural effect produced by the real or supposed quality of an object;-that this Emotion, conjoined with the specific nature of its exciting cause, is virtually the efficient cause of a Passion; the percussion of surprise rendering the affection visible, by characteristic signs, correspondent with its specific nature.

Thus for example, in Joy, the pleasing part of the impression owes its origin to the possession, or undoubted expectancy, of some desirable good. This, in its lowest influence, produces some degree of change in the corporeal frame. It is a sensation, and must be felt somewhere. The vividness of the impression occasioned by

the impetus of surprise, renders this sensation more vivid, diffuses its effects over the whole system, and occasions a delectable and ungovernable flow of spirits, which becomes conspicuous to every spectator. But as Novelty is the exciting cause of surprise, in proportion as the novelty of good subsides, surprise gradually diminishes, and leaves the mind under the influence of an affection, more proportionate to the real value of the object.

Thus we may suppose the Passion of Anger, to consist of that disagreeable sensation, which a sense of injury will always occasion, quickened by surprise into an ungovernable emotion. The reluctance with which we part with any thing contributing to our benefit or enjoyment, will be quickened by surprise into the agonies of sorrow; which is also able to convert painful apprehensions into the excess of Fear.

Nor does the acknowledged fact, that our passions are sometimes excited by deliberate contemplation, militate against the opinion.

This can only take place in affairs of high importance; and in such cases the more deliberate survey consists in examining, and reflecting upon every circumstance, relative to the nature of the exciting cause, which necessarily produces a variety of new and unexpected combinations, each of which will be attended with a

proportionate degree of surprise; and although there may not be in any one circumstance, that quantum of Novelty which so powerfully strikes the mind, in cases that are sudden and totally unexpected, yet, the combined influence of the aggregate number of Novelties, may finally produce the most extravagant passions. Thus may the mind calculate the variety of benefits accruing from some prosperous event, until it be tranported with joy ;-enumerate the evils of privation, until it becomes frantic with sorrow;--dwell upon the number and magnitude of provocations which aggravate an injury, until resentment shall be converted into rage ;---and by ruminating upon the extent of danger, it may be driven into despair.

If this conjecture be admitted, it will give a beautiful simplicity to the theory of the Passions. It shews that they may be decomposed into the simplest elements; while it indicates the manner, by which the combination of these elements may be productive of such an infinite variety, both in nature and strength. It shews that the different degrees of force in the quickening agent, or of its reiterated influence, are calculated to give various degrees of momentum to each particular affection.