JONES. 113 



The elements that determined the successful vocation of John Paul Jones were : 



Nomadism. While yet a child it was his custom to wander off to the Carse- 

 thorn at the mouth of the river Nith, where he listened to the stories of the mariners. 

 The village legends of his native town bear witness to his early talent for seamanship 

 while he was more child than boy. At school he was proficient in his studies, but 

 showed a roving spirit, an active imagination, and promise of unusual independ- 

 ence. Throughout his life inactivity led to irritation and eventually to illness. 



Hyperkinesis and hypokinesis. Jones showed periods of vast reckless energy, 

 but also at times deep depression. The hyperkinesis is shown in his enthusiasm, 

 which awakened the same state in others. "He was delighted with his crew, who 

 were equally devoted to him" (de Koven, 1913, p. 125). It is shown in his tre- 

 mendous activity, especially in action. "In the rapture of the strife he was, like 

 Nelson, gay in demeanor and ideal in command" (1913, p. 427). His hyperkinesis 

 was associated with initiative and courage. He was the first to see an oppor- 

 tunity and the first to avail himself of it. It also led to free expression of opinion 

 and feelings and his "white-hot anger." The pleasure of doing and of succeeding 

 fed his ambition, "the first and ruling passion" of his life. "This ambition, 

 abnormal in its intensity, was the motive power which determined his career. 

 While yet of tender years he abandoned his position in the Royal Navy for lack 

 of opportunities for quick advancement. This same ambition, combined with 

 great capacity, procured him the position of mate and commander of trading-vessels 

 while he was still exceedingly youthful; and after disastrous adventures and 

 reverses brought about his astonishing advancement to his conspicuous place 

 in the United States navy." i He was adventuresome, as when in the Ranger 

 he captured the Drake, a ship more powerful than his own. "He commanded 

 a vessel disguised as a merchantman; he made sudden and stealthy midnight 

 descents upon their vessels and their ports; his method of warfare, brilliantly 

 skillful as it was, had a coolness and a daring unexpectedness which recalled the 

 legends of the early Vikings." 



His depression was no less marked and was evidenced at the time of his 

 seclusion, 1773-1775. At the time (1777) when he was waiting for arrangements 

 to be completed that he might sail for France "he became again a prey to torment- 

 ing reflections" (p. 220). In 1783 he left America in a mood of depression; in 

 general, says his biographer, "he was dangerously prone to brood over his mis- 

 fortunes." " This tendency was a natural and inevitable concomitant of the mind of 

 genius and, as has been seen, nearly overwhelmed him in the long period of melan- 

 choly retirement which followed the mutiny at Tobago." "He was never again 

 free, except for brief intervals, from a disposition to dwell upon his misfortunes." 



Jones had little erotic control, like many another hyperkinetic. He had an 

 inclination toward feminine society which was greatly aided by his engaging per- 

 sonality. "During his second long residence in Paris it had been fully indulged in. 

 It is thought that a son was born to him at this time" 3 (p. 279). A contempo- 

 rary writes: "He is said to be a man of gallantry and a favorite among the French 

 ladies, whom he is frequently commending for the neatness of their persons, their 

 easy manners, and their taste in dress." Apparently he came under the seductive 

 influence of Catherine of Russia. 



At times Jones showed a combination of self-esteem and suspicion, amount- 

 ing almost to paranoia. "Ambition, working unhindered upon his immensely 



1 De Koven, 1913, p. 327. 2 De Koven, p. 293. De Koven, 379. 



