BOOK II PART II
will. We may under-value a peasant or servant;
but when the misery of a beggar appears very
great, or is painted in very lively colours, we
sympathize with him in his afflictions; and feel
in our heart evident touches of pity and benev-
olence. The same object causes contrary pas-
sions according to its different degrees. The
passions, therefore, must depend upon princi-
ples, that operate in such certain degrees, ac-
cording to my hypothesis. The encrease of the
sympathy has evidently the same effect as the
encrease of the misery.
A barren or desolate country always seems
ugly and disagreeable, and commonly inspires
us with contempt for the inhabitants. This de-
formity, however, proceeds in a great measure
from a sympathy with the inhabitants, as has
been already observed; but it is only a weak