Elements of the philosophy of the human mind. By Dugald Stewart. Rev. and abridged, with critical and explanatory notes, for the use of colleges and schools. By Francis Bowen ...

IAGINATION. 363
powers, that e.perience dimnmiishes the iluftence of passive'impressions on the miind, but strengthens our active principles. A
course of debauchery deadens the sense of pleasure, but increases the desire of gratification. An immoderate use of strong
liquors destroys the sensibility of the palate, but strengthens the
habits of intemperance. The enjoyments we derive from any
favoirite pursuit gradually decay as we advance in years; and
yet we continue to prosecute our favorite pursuits with increasing steadiness and vigor.
On these two laws of our nature is founded our capacity of
moral improvement. In proportion as we are accustomed to
obey our sense of duty, the influence of the temptations to vice
is diminished; while, at the same time, our habit of virtuous
conduct is confirmed. Iow many passive impressions, for instance, must be overcome, before the virtue of beneficence can
exert itself uniformly and habitually! How many circumstances
are there in the distresses of others, which have a tendency to
alienate our hearts from them, and which prompt us to withdraw
from the sight of the miserable! The impressions we receive
from these are unfavorable to virtue; their force, however,
every day diminishes, and it may, perhaps, by perseverance, be
are found to be, somehow, wrought more thoroughly into the temper and
character, and become more effectual in influencing our practice. The
three things just mentioned may afford instances of it. Perception of
danger is a natural excitement of passive fear and active caution; and by
being inured to danger, habits of the latter are gradually wrought, at the
same time that the former gradually lessens. Perception of distress in
others, is a natural excitement passively to pity, and actively to relieve it;
but let a man set himself to attend to, inquire out, and relieve distressed
persons, and he cannot but grow less and less sensibly affected with the
various miseries of life with which he must become acquainted; when yet,
at the same tine, benevolence, considered not as a passion, but as a practical principle of action, will strengthen; and whilst he passively compassionates the distressed less, he will acquire a greater aptitude actively to
assist and befriend them. So, also, at the same time that the daily instances of men's dying around us, give us daily a less sensible passive
feeling or apprehension of our own mortality, such instances greatly contribute to the strengthening a practical regard of it in serious men; i. e. to
forming a habit o,? acting with a constant view to it."