APPENDIX. 69 
gins his theory with enquiring in what it confifts, and how we 
are led to form the idea of it. The leading principles of his 
doftrine on this fubject are comprehended in the following pro- 
pofitions. 
1. Ir is from our own experience alone, that we can form 
any idea of what paffes in the mind of another perfon on any 
particular occafion ; and the only way in which we can form 
this idea, is by fuppofing ourfelves in the fame circumftances 
with him, and conceiving how we fhould be affected if we 
were fo fituated. It is impoflible for us, however, to conceive 
ourfelves placed in any fituation, whether agreeable or other- 
wife, without feeling an effect of the fame kind with what 
would be produced by the {fituation itfelf; and of confequence 
the attention we give at any time to the cireumftances of our 
neighbour, muft affe& us fomewhat in the fame manner, al- 
though by no means in the fame degree, as if thefe circum- 
{tances were our own. 
Tuar this imaginary change of place with other men, is 
the real fource of the intereft we take in their fortunes, Mr 
SMITH attempts to prove by various inftances. ‘‘ When we 
“fee a ftroke aimed, and juft ready to fall upon the leg or arm: 
** of another perfon, we naturally fhrink and draw back our 
“ own leg or our'own arm; and when it does fall, we feel it 
** in fome meafure, and are hurt by it as well as the fufferer. 
** The mob, when they are gazing at a dancer on the flack rope, 
** naturally writhe and twift and balance their own bodies, as. 
“ they fee him do, and as they feel that they themfelves muft 
** doif in his fituation.’”? The fame thing takes place, accord: 
ing to Mr Smiru, in every cafe in which our attention is: turn-- 
ed to the condition of our neighbour. “ Whatever is the paf- 
*€ fion which arifes from any object in the perfon principally 
“* concerned, an analogous emotion fprings up, at the thought 
“ of his fituation, in the breaft of every attentive fpectator.. 
“In every paffion of which the mind of man is fufceptible, 
“ the 
Account of 
Dr Smith. 
