BOOK II PART II
possess; such as houses, gardens, equipages;
which, being agreeable in themselves, neces-
sarily produce a sentiment of pleasure in ev-
ery one; that either considers or surveys them.
Secondly, To the expectation of advantage from
the rich and powerful by our sharing their pos-
sessions. Thirdly, To sympathy, which makes
us partake of the satisfaction of every one, that
approaches us. All these principles may concur
in producing the present phaenomenon. The
question is, to which of them we ought princi-
pally to ascribe it.
It is certain, that the first principle, viz, the
reflection on agreeable objects, has a greater in-
fluence, than what, at first sight, we may be
apt to imagine. We seldom reflect on what
is beautiful or ugly, agreeable or disagreeable,
without an emotion of pleasure or uneasiness;