The passions of the soule in three books the first, treating of the passions in generall, and occasionally of the whole nature of man. The second, of the number, and order of the passions, and the explication of the six primitive ones. The third, of particular passions. By R. des Cartes. And translated out of French into English.

The 72th Article. Wherein consists the power of Admiration.

THis doth not hinder it from being exceeding powerfull, notwithstanding the surprize, that is, the sudden, and unexpected arrivall of the im∣pression that alters the motion of the spirits: which surprize is proper, and peculiar to this Passion: so that it at any time it doe happen to any of the rest, as it usually does to all, and en∣creaseth them, it is because Admiration is joyned with them; and the power of it consists in two things, to wit, the novelty, and for that the mo∣tion which it causeth, from the very beginning hath its full strength; for it is certain, such a motive is more operative, then those which be∣ing eak at first, and growing but by little, and little, may easily be diverted; also, it is certain that those objects of the senses which are new, touch the brain in certain parts, where it used not to be touched, and that these parts being

more tender, or less firme then those that fre∣quent agitation hath hardned, augments the o∣peration of the motions which they excite there; which will not be deemed incredi∣ble, if it bee considered, that is the like reason which causeth the soles of our feet, accusto∣med to a pretty stubborn touch by the weight of the body they bear, but very little to feel this touch when we goe: whereas another far ligh∣ter and softer (when they are tickled) is almost insupportable to us, onely because it is is not usuall.