Still greater is the power of relation to the persons concerned,
which was the sixth circumstance mentioned, as this tie is more
direct than that which attacheth us to the scene of action. It
is the persons, not the place, that are the immediate objects
of the passions love or hatred, pity or anger, envy or contempt.
Relation to the actors commonly produces an effect contrary to
that produced by relation to the sufferers, the first in extenuation,
the second in aggravation of the crime alleged. The first makes
for the apologist, the second for the accuser. This I say is
commonly the case, not always. A remote relation to the actors,
when the offence is heinous, especially if the sufferers be more
nearly related, will sometimes rather aggravate than extenuate
the guilt in our estimation. But it is impossible with any precision
to reduce these effects to rules; so much depending on the different
tempers and sentiments of different audiences. Personal relations
are of various kinds. Some have generally greater influence than
others; some again have greater influence with one person, others
with another. They are consanguinity, affinity, friendship, acquaintance,
being fellow-citizens, countrymen, of the same surname, language,
religion, occupation, and innumerable others.
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