340 On Tragical Representations. 
constant pursuit of his own proper happiness, to 
connect such a being with the unhappy, and.as 
by an irresistible impulse introduce bim to a 
partnership in their afflictions, 
The contradiction, therefore, which this pro- 
pensity, at the first view, carries with it to a 
leading principle of our own natures, vanishes 
when we consider it in this, important light ; 
we appear to act in-perfect consistence with an 
acknowledged, and powerful, and highly valu- 
able principle of our natures. While our other 
senses are continually opening themselves to 
their proper objects, it would be strange, indeed, 
if this internal sense, whose aim is directed to 
the noblest character of man, were reluctant to 
its proper exercise, and averse to those objects 
and to those scenes, which immediately address 
themselves to it. This would argue indeed a 
defect in his constitution, such as could not 
easily be reconciled to our ideas of that designing 
wisdom, which intended him to be one beautiful 
and harmonious whole. 
If, indeed, the end of compassion, as a prin- 
ciple of human nature, were directed only to 
particular exigencies in human life, as an instant 
stimulus to acts of kind protection, and humane 
alleviation of fellow misery ; it might be thought 
sufficient if it were reserved for such interesting 
occasions ; and the mind were not led by a far- 
