BOOK I PART III
fixed, the action will always have more or less
vigour and vivacity. When therefore any ob-
ject is presented, which elevates and enlivens
the thought, every action, to which the mind
applies itself, will be more strong and vivid,
as Tong as that disposition continues, Now it
is evident the continuance of the disposition
depends entirely on the objects, about which
the mind is employed; and that any new object
naturally gives a new direction to the spirits,
and changes the disposition; as on the contrary,
when the mind fixes constantly on the same ob-
ject, or passes easily and insensibly along re-
lated objects, the disposition has a much longer
duration. Hence it happens, that when the
mind is once inlivened by a present impression,
it proceeds to form a more lively idea of the re-
lated objects, by a natural transition of the dis-
position from the one to the other. The change