Literary Notices. cvii 



Susceptibility to emotions. The physical condition of the body predis- 

 poses it to certain emotions. In each individual there is a normal, daily 

 rhythmical fluctuation of the susceptibility to emotions. In the morning, 

 when thought predominates, the susceptibility to emotions of all sorts is 

 feeble. Later the conditions are more favorable to emotions, especially 

 to emotions of an agreeable kind. Immediately after dinner the suscep- 

 tibility to agreeable emotions is great. When digestion is at its height 

 disagreeable emotions predominate. Evening is the time of tediousness. 

 This explains why people who do not drink stimulants go to bed early. 



This rhythmical daily fluctuation in the susceptibiljty to sensations is 

 dependent partly upon the course of work and partly upon the processes 

 of nutrition. It must not be supposed, however, that these are the only 

 emotion-creating factors. Many other things assist in the work: jewelry, 

 flowers, etc. Pathological states predispose us to emotions. Sickness 

 predisposes one to unpleasant emotions. 



Susceptibility to emotions varies with the seasons and the weather. 

 Bad weather fosters anger. Spring brings with it gladness. England, 

 the home of damp, cold fogs, is also the fatherland of that unpleasant 

 disposition we call spleen. 



Age alters the attitude towards emotions. Children have but slight 

 emotions of any sort. They are equally susceptible to all emotions. At 

 puberty a new and rich spring of emotions arises. Then is the time of 

 love. In ripe manhood the susceptibility to emotions is much less 

 than in youth. And finally, in old age disagreeable emotions prepon- 

 derate. 



Women are more easily moved to emotions than men. In women, 

 alterations in the sexual conditions causes marked changes in the suscep- 

 tibility to emotions. 



Not only does this susceptibility to emotions vary in the individual 

 at different times, not only does it vary in different sexes, but there are 

 marked differences between individuals. We recognize this when we 

 speak of the temperament of the individual. Indeed, in the inherited 

 temperament of the individual we have a weightier cause of the attitude 

 of the person towards emotions than in any of the causes mentioned. 



Physiology of the General Feeling. A careful study of the 

 physiology of this matter leads to the following conclusions : 



I. An emotion is a general feeling linked with a definite quality of 



