RELATIVE CHARACTERS OF SEXES. 627 



of Woman with that of Man. For there can be no doubt that putting aside 

 the exceptional cases which now and then occur the intellectual powers of 

 Woman are inferior to those of Man. Although her perceptive faculties are 

 more acute, her capability of sustained mental exertion is much less ; and 

 though her views are often peculiarly distinguished by clearness and decision, 

 they are generally deficient in that comprehensiveness which is necessary for 

 their stability. With less of the volitional powers than Man possesses, she 

 has the emotional and instinctive in a much stronger degree. The emotions 

 therefore predominate ; and more frequently become the leading 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 surpass in degree 

 any thing 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 Physiolo- 

 gical observer. But they also act as powerful motives to the Will ; and, when 

 strongly called forth, produce a degree of vigour and determination, which is 

 very surprising to those who have usually seen the individual 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 natu- 

 rally 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 inferior development of her Intellectual powers, therefore, and in 

 the predominance 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 Cor- 

 poreal, is beautifully adapted to supply what is deficient in Man; and to ele- 

 vate and refine those powers which might otherwise be directed to low and 

 selfish objects. 



