Chap. II. TOE PRINCIPLE OF ANTITHESIS. 65 



player, whilst watching the course of his ball. A man 

 or child in a passion, if he tells airy one in a loud voice 

 to begone, generally moves his' arm as if to push him 

 away, although the offender may not be standing near, 

 and although there may be not the least need to explain 

 by a gesture what is meant. On the other hand, if we 

 eagerly desire some one to approach us closely, we act 

 as if pulling him towards us; and so in innumerable 

 other instances. 



As the performance of ordinary movements of an 

 opposite kind, under opposite impulses of the will, has 

 become habitual in us and in the lower animals, so when 

 actions of one kind have become firmly associated with 

 any sensation or emotion, it appears natural that actions 

 of a directly opposite kind, though of no use, should be 

 unconsciously performed through habit and association, 

 under the influence of a directly opposite sensation or 

 emotion. On this principle alone can I understand 

 how the gestures and expressions which come under 

 the present head of antithesis have originated. If in- 

 deed they are serviceable to man or to any other animal, 

 in aid of inarticulate cries or language, they will like- 

 wise be voluntarily employed, and the habit will thus 

 be strengthened. But whether or not of service as a 

 means of communication, the tendency to perform op- 

 posite movements under opposite sensations or emotions 

 would, if we may judge by analogy, become hereditary 

 through long practice; and there cannot be a doubt that 

 several expressive movements due to the principle of 

 antithesis are inherited. 



