The foregoing instances, are of passion communicated from one object to another. But one passion may be generated by another, without change of object. It may in general be observed, that a passion paves the way to others, similar in their tone, whether directed upon the same or upon a different object. For the mind heated by any passion, is, in that state, more susceptible of a new impression in a similar tone, than when cool and quiescent. It is a common observation, that pity generally produceth friendship for a person in distress. Pity interests us in its object, and recommends all its virtuous qualities. For this reason, female beauty shows best in distress; and is more apt to inspire love, than upon ordinary occasions. But it is chiefly to be remarked, that pity, warming and melting the spectator, prepares him for the reception of other tender affections; and pity is readily improved into love or friendship, by a certain tenderness and concern for the object, which is the tone of both passions. The aptitude of pity to produce love is beautifully illustrated by Shakespear. _Othello._ Her father lov’d me, oft invited me; Still question’d me the story of my life, From year to year; the battles, sieges, fortunes, That I have past. I ran it through, e’en from my boyish days, To th’ very moment that he bad me tell it: Wherein I spoke of most disast’rous chances, Of moving accidents by flood and field; Of hair-breadth ’scapes in th’ imminent deadly breach; Of being taken by the insolent foe, And sold to slavery; of my redemption thence, And with it, all my travel’s history. ---- All these to hear Would Desdemona seriously incline; But still the house-affairs would draw her thence, Which ever as she could with haste dispatch, She’d come again, and with a greedy ear Devour up my discourse: which I observing, Took once a pliant hour, and found good means To draw from her a prayer of earnest heart, That I would all my pilgrimage dilate, Whereof by parcels she had something heard, But not distinctively. I did consent, And often did beguile her of her tears, When I did speak of some distressful stroke That my youth suffer’d. My story being done, She gave me for my pains a world of sighs: She swore, in faith, ’twas strange, ’twas passing strange-- ’Twas pitiful, ’twas wondrous pitiful-- She wish’d she had not heard it:--yet she wish’d, That heav’n had made her such a man:--she thank’d me, And bad me, if I had a friend that lov’d her, I should but teach him how to tell my story, And that would woo her. On this hint I spake, She lov’d me for the dangers I had past, And I lov’d her, that she did pity them: This only is the witchcraft I have us’d. _Othello, act 1. sc. 8._ In this instance it will be observed that admiration concurred with pity to produce love. SECT. V.