On Tragical Representations: 335 
amounts to be diminished, and if the pain greatly 
over-balanced the pleasure; it might be entirely 
obliterated, ' . 
He reasons thus himself, when he converts 
the proposition; observing, that if the pleasure 
arising from the capduct of the representation 
were not predominant; the effect would be de- 
Stroyed, and sorrow would absorb the mind. 
Before the pain had no effect upon the pleasure 
to destroy any part of it; but as if it were of the 
same family, very obligingly ministered to its 
increase. Mr. Hume has endeavoured to avail 
himself of an allusion to the well-known Jaws of 
motion ; but to answer his purpose he has as- 
sumed, that they resemble two forces thoving in 
different, but hot opposite ditéctions, But theit 
resemblance is to two forces moving in absolutely 
contrary directions ; the effect of which is, that 
the greater force ¢ontinues indeed to thove on- 
ward in its proper direction, but with a diminu- 
tion of force, equal to that of the lesser. 
_ It is farther to be observed, on the theory of 
Hume, and indeed of both the French philoso 
phers, that the one principle which satisfactorily 
accounts for the whole phenometion, must. be 
supposed to be admitted. If not; what is meant 
by the concession of each; that the objects re= - 
presented are in their naturé painful to ihé 
ininds of the spectators? And why painful; 
VOL. v. @ 
