1. Causes unfolded of the Emotions and Passions: 1. Difference between Emotion and Passion.- Causes that are the most common and the 2. Power of Sounds to raise Emotions and Pas. 3. Causes of the Emotions of Joy and Sorrow 4. Sympathetic Emotion of Virtue and its cause 17 24 25 32 34 6. Causes of the Passions of Fear and Anger 7. Emotions caused by Fiction . . 2. Emotions and Passions as pleasant and painful, In HENRY HOME, a Scotch judge, was born at Kames, in the county of Berwick, in 1696. He was bound to a writer of the signet, but by diligent study he became an advocate. In 1728 he published "Remarkable Decisions in the Court of Session;" and, in 1732, "Essays upon several Subjects in Law," which added greatly to his reputation. In 1741 he printed, in two volumes, folio, the "Decisions of the Court of Session," in the form of a dictionary; and, in 1747, "Essays upon several Subjects concerning British Antiquities." His next work was "Essays on the Principles of Morality and Natural Religion.' 1752 he was made a judge of the court of session, when he took the title of lord Kames. He was also appointed one of the trustees for the encouragement of the fisheries, arts, and manufactures; and a commissioner for the management of the forfeited estates. Notwithstanding these engagements, he published "The Statute Law of Scotland abridged;" which was followed by "Historical Law Tracts;" and "The Principles of Equity." In 1761 appeared his "Introduction to the Art of Thinking," intended for youth; and the next year came out his "Elements of Criticism," 3 vols. 8vo. In 1763 he was appointed one of the lords of justiciary: but he still continued his literary labours, and in 1774, published, in 2 vols. 4to., "Sketches of the History of Man." In 1776 he printed "The Gentleman Farmer, or an Attempt to improve Agriculture by subjecting it to the Test of rational Principles." His last work was entitled "Loose Hints on Education;" composed in his eighty-fifth year. He died Dec. 27, 1782. Besides the works above enumerated, he published some others on legal subjects. TO THE KING. SIR, THE Fine Arts have ever been encouraged by wise Princes, not singly for private amusement, but for their beneficial influence in society. By uniting different ranks in the same elegant pleasures, they promote benevolence; by cherishing love of order, they enforce submission to government; and by inspiring delicacy of feeling, they make regular government a double blessing. These considerations embolden me to hope for your Majesty's patronage in behalf of the following work, which treats of the Fine Arts, and attempts to form a standard of taste, by unfolding those principles that ought to govern the taste of every individual. It is rare to find one born with such delicacy of feeling, as not to need instruction: it is equally rare to find one so low in feeling, as not to be capable of instruction. And yet, to refine our taste with respect to the beauties of art or of nature, is scarce endeavoured in any seminary of learning; a lamentable defect, considering how early in life taste is susceptible of culture, and how difficult to reform it if unhappily perverted. To furnish materials for supplying that defect, was an additional motive for the present undertaking. To promote the Fine Arts in Britain has become of greater importance than is generally imagined. A flourishing commerce begets opulence; and opulence, inflaming our appetite for pleasure, is commonly vented on luxury, and on every sensual gratification selfishness rears its head, becomes fashionable, and, infecting all ranks, extinguishes the amor patria, and every spark of public spirit. To prevent or to retard such fatal corruption, the genius of an Alfred cannot devise any means more efficacious than the venting opulence upon the Fine Arts; riches so employed, instead of encouraging vice, will excite both public and private virtue. Of this happy effect ancient Greece furnishes one shining instance; and why should we despair of another in Britain? |