When we hear of the details of a generous action, we are moved by it, before we know when or where it took place.

Nor will the force of imagination account for the feeling in those cases; if we have an eye solely to our own _real_ interest, it is not conceivable how we can be moved by a mere imaginary interest.
But another view may be taken.

Some have maintained that the public interest is our own interest, and is therefore promoted by our self-love.

The reply is that the two are often opposed to each other, and still we approve of the preference of the public interest.

We are, therefore, driven to adopt a more public affection, and to admit that the interests of society, _on their own, account_, are not indifferent to us.
Have we any difficulty to comprehend the force of humanity or benevolence?
Or to conceive that the very aspect of happiness, joy, prosperity, gives pleasure; while pain, suffering, sorrow, communicate uneasiness?
Here we have an unmistakeable, powerful, universal sentiment of human nature to build upon.
The author gives an expanded illustration of the workings of Benevolence or Sympathy, which well deserves to be read for its merits of execution.