2. Sometimes a relation to ourself excites affection towards any person. But there is always here implied a relation of sentiments, without which the other relation would have no influence[1].
A person, who is related to us, or connected with us, by blood, by similitude of fortune, of adventures, profession, or country, soon becomes an agreeable companion to us; because we enter easily and familiarly into his sentiments and conceptions: Nothing is strange or new to us: Our imagination, passing from self, which is ever intimately present to us, runs smoothly along the relation or connexion, and conceives with a full sympathy the person, who is nearly related to self. He renders himself immediately acceptable, and is at once on an easy footing with us: No distance, no reserve has place, where the person introduced is supposed so closely connected with us.
Relation has here the same influence as custom or acquaintance, in exciting affection;
- ↑ The affection of parents to children seems founded on an original instinct. The affection towards other relations depends on the principles here explained.
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