BOOK II PART III
is the source of wonder, surprize, and of all the
emotions, which arise from novelty; and is in
itself very agreeable, like every thing, which
inlivens the mind to a moderate degree. But
though surprize be agreeable in itself, yet as it
puts the spirits in agitation, it not only aug-
ments our agreeable affections, but also our
painful, according to the foregoing principle,
that every emotion, which precedes or attends
a passion, is easily converted into it. Hence ev-
ery thing, that is new, is most affecting, and
gives us either more pleasure or pain, than
what, strictly speaking, naturally belongs to
it. When it often returns upon us, the novelty
wears off; the passions subside; the hurry of the
spirits is over; and we survey the objects with
greater tranquillity.
By degrees the repetition produces a facility