BOOK II PART II
sessor; and this satisfaction is conveyed to the
beholder by the imagination, which produces
an idea resembling the original impression in
force and vivacity. This agreeable idea or im-
pression is connected with love, which is an
agreeable passion. It proceeds from a think-
ing conscious being, which is the very object
of love. From this relation of impressions, and
identity of ideas, the passion arises, according
to my hypothesis.
The best method of reconciling us to this
opinion is to take a general survey of the
universe, and observe the force of sympathy
through the whole animal creation, and the
easy communication of sentiments from one
thinking being to another. In all creatures, that
prey not upon others, and are not agitated with
violent passions, there appears a remarkable