In civil cases, the fact that the character of any person is such as to affect the amount of damages which he ought to receive, is relevant.

Explanation. - In sections 52, 53, 54 and 55 the word "character " includes both reputation and disposition; but [except as provided in section 54] [Inserted by Act 3 of 1891, Section 7.], evidence may be given only of general reputation and general disposition, and not of particular acts by which reputation or disposition were shown.