from contemplating Scenes of Diftrefs. 151 
tragical the lcene becomes, the more it agitates 
the feveral pafTions of terror, grief, or pity— 
the more intenfely it delights, even the moft 
polifhed minds. They feem to enjoy the various 
and vivid emotions of contending pafnons. 
They love to have the tear trembling in the eye, 
and to feel the whole foul rapt in thrilling fenfa- 
tions. For that moment, they feem to forget 
the fiftion ; and afterwards commend that exhi¬ 
bition moft, in which they moft entirely loft 
fight of the author, and of their own fituation, 
and were alive to all the unutterable vibrations 
of ftrong or melting fenfibility. 
Taking it, then, for granted, that in the con¬ 
templation of many feenes of diftrefs, both imagi¬ 
nary and real, a gratification is felt, let us en¬ 
deavour to account for it, by mentioning fome 
of thofe principles, woven into the web of human 
nature, by its benevolent Creator, on which 
that gratification depends. 
Dr. Akenfide, with his accuflomed ftrength 
and brilliancy of colouring, deferibes , and accounts 
for it, in the following manner. I will make 
no apology for the length of the quotation. 
----“ Behold the ways 
Of heaven’s eternal deftiny to man ! 
For even juft, benevolent, and wife ! 
That vi rtue’s awful Heps, howe’er purfued 
By vexing fortune, and intrufive pain, 
Should never be divided from her chaft, 
Her fair attendant, pleasure. Need I urge 
h 2 Thy 
