336 On Tragical Representations: 
but from the power of that sympathy, which 
enters into fellow suffering? There is no other 
principle in man adequate to the effect. If this 
be not allowed as an overpowering law of human 
nature, no account ¢an be given, why a being; 
interested in himself, and averse to pain, should 
transplant into his own breast the pain of ano- 
ther, and court a partnership with affliction. Mr. 
Hume may be supposed, though perhaps invo- 
luntarily, and while nature, not theory, was 
speaking, to have conceded something more than 
this; when he observes that the pleasure, not- 
withstanding the supposed conversion, wears the 
features and outward symptoms of sorrow an@ 
distress. 
Again, if to the eloquence of the poet, as to 
its proper cause, be ascribed the pleasure, or to 
speak more properly, the interest which we take 
in tragedy; why will not eloquence, employed 
on other subjects, equally interest and captivate 
us? Why will not pictures of other objects, 
equally just’ and. animated, equally engage our 
affections ? If it be said, that the objects must 
be in themselves interesting, then the effect is 
not derived wholly nor principally from the elo- 
quence and manner of the artist, but from some 
other consideration, which previously interests 
us in the objects that are represented. 
Mr. Hume has very artfully managed his il- 
