tf the Will over Senfationl 475 



which we cannot difpute, without the mofl: 

 ridiculous fcepticifm. If their fenfations were 

 originally equal to ours, one is ready to fay, 

 it would be impoffible to acquire that apathy, 

 which they difcover in fuch dreadful circum^ 

 fiances. Lee us, then, afcribe fomethino- to 

 natural temperament, to climate, to habit. But 

 fhall we not, alfo, afcribe fomething to the man- 

 ner, in which they have been accuftomed to 

 prepare themfelves for fuch a fcene ? Does not 

 the idea, inculcated upon them from their ear- 

 lieft infancy, that it is cowardly to betray any 

 marks of fear, or to utter any complaint, tend to 

 flifFen the mind againft the perception of pain, 

 and to produce fome part, at leaft, of this afto- 

 nifhing infcnfibility ? 



The Gentlemen of the Faculty, who are pre- 

 fent, could doubtlefs produce many ftriking 

 fafts, in which the refolute energy of the mind 

 has manifefled its power over corporeal feeling. 

 One inftance, to which many of them were 

 witnefifes, they will recollecV with pleafure. An 

 old foldier, at the Manchcfter Infirmary, was 

 a few years ago cut for the ftone. During that 

 dreadful operation, he uttered no complaint, 

 but appeared calm, and chearful ; and, as foon 

 as it was over, infifted a long time upon " walk- 

 ^' ing to his apartment, for the honour of an old 

 f' Joldier" Did not that fenfe of honour ftupi fy, 

 jn fome degree, the fcnfe of pain, by infpiring 



tha^ 



