PROPORTION OF SEXES. 729 



springs of action, than they are in Man. By their direct influence upon the 

 bodily frame, they produce changes in the organic functions, which far sur- 

 pass in degree anything of the same kind that we ordinarily witness in Man; 

 and they thus not unfrequently occasion symptoms of an anomalous kind, 

 which are very perplexing to the Medical practitioner, but very interesting to 

 the Physiological observer. But they also act as powerful motives to the 

 Will; and, when strongly called forth, produce a degree of vigour and deter- 

 mination, which is very surprising to those who have usually seen the indi- 

 vidual under a different aspect. But this vigour, being due to the strong 

 excitement of the Feelings, and not to any inherent strength of Intellect, is 

 only sustained during the persistence of the motive, and fails as soon as it 

 subsides. The feelings of Woman, being frequently called forth by the 

 occurrences she witnesses around her, are naturally more disinterested than 

 those of Man; his energy is more concentrated upon one object; and to this 

 his intellect is directed with an earnestness that too frequently either blunts 

 his feelings, or carries them along in the same channel, thus rendering them 

 selfish. The intuitive powers of Woman are certainly greater than those 

 of Man. Her perceptions are more acute, her apprehension quicker ; and 

 she has a remarkable power of interpreting the feelings of others, which 

 gives to her, not only a much more ready sympathy with these, but that 

 power of guiding her actions so as to be in accordance with them, which we 

 call tact. This tact bears a close correspondence with the adaptiveness to 

 particular ends, which we see in Instinctive actions. In regard to the infe- 

 rior development of her Intellectual powers, therefore, and in the predomi- 

 nance of the Instinctive, Woman must be considered as ranking below Man; 

 but in the superior purity and elevation of her Feelings, she is as highly 

 raised above him. Her whole character, Psychical as well as Corporeal, is 

 beautifully adapted to supply what is deficient in Man; and to elevate and 

 refine those powers, which might otherwise be directed to low and selfish 

 objects. 







