xxx.j CLASSIFICATION. 733 



be roughly distinguished according as they are pleasurable 

 or painful, prospective or retrospective, selfish or sympa- 

 thetic, active or passive, and possibly in many other ways ; 

 but each mode of arrangement will be indefinite and un- 

 satisfactory when followed into details. As a general rule, 

 the emotional state of the mind at any moment will be 

 neither pure anger nor pure fear, nor any one pure feeling, 

 but an indefinite and complex aggregate of feelings. It 

 may be that the state of mind is really a sum of several 

 distinct modes of agitation, just as a mixed colour is the 

 sum of the several rays of the spectrum. In this case 

 there may be more hope of some method of analysis being 

 successfully applied at a future time. But it may be 

 found that states of mind really graduate into each other 

 so that rigorous classification would be hopeless. 



A little reflection will show that there are whole worlds 

 of existences which in like manner are incapable of logical 

 analysis and classification. One friend may be able to 

 single out and identify another friend by his countenance 

 among a million other countenances. Faces are capable of 

 infinite discrimination, but who shall classify and define 

 them, or say by what particular shades of feature he does 

 judge ? There are of course certain distinct types of face, 

 but each type is connected with each other type by in- 

 finite intermediate specimens. We may classify melodies 

 according to the major or minor key, the character of the 

 time, and some other distinct points ; but every melody 

 has, independently of such circumstances, its own distinctive 

 character and effect upon the mind. We can detect differ- 

 ences between the styles of literary, musical, or artistic 

 compositions. We can even in some cases assign a picture 

 to its painter, or a symphony to its composer, by a subtle 

 feeling of resemblances or differences which may be felt, 

 but cannot be described. 



Finally, it is apparent that in human character there is 

 unfathomable and inexhaustible diversity. Every mind is 

 more or less like every other mind ; there is always a basis 

 of similarity, but there is a superstructure of feelings, 

 impulses, and motives which is distinctive for each person. 

 We can sometimes predict the general character of the 

 feelings and actions which will be produced by a given 

 external event in an individual well known to us; but 



