EEFLECTED ACTION. 15 



properties and functions. This may be conveniently 

 termed " expression by reflective action." 



It is a matter of common observation that we 

 do not know a man's mental and moral qualities 

 till we have seen him tried by the circumstances 

 of life. In forming a judgment of a man's character 

 we seek to observe his actions under various cir- 

 cumstances. The man's actions under these various 

 circumstances are partly the outcome of his organi- 

 zation and character, and are partly due to the 

 special circumstances acting upon him. Such 

 expressions are in part the effect of circumstances 

 acting on the man. Such a case illustrates this 

 subject, but is too complex for a convenient 

 analysis. 



Let us take a simple example. Suppose two 

 children, both healthy, intelligent, and of the same 

 age. Hold a pleasing toy before one child, and let it 

 be hidden from the other. We now see the expres- 

 sion of pleasure in one child's face, accompanied by 

 gestures of delight ; not so in the other child ; but 

 if both are then allowed to see the toy, each will 

 present expressions of joy. The sight of the toy 

 is the cause of the expression of joy in the children. 

 Here, then, the expression is not solely the mani- 

 festation of the spontaneous outcome of the organism 

 of the child ; the sight of the toy falling upon the 

 children is necessary to stimulate the expression 

 of joy or amusement. 



Again, if an experiment be tried by placing the 

 toy in front of the child while he is asleep, or if 

 awake when very ill, no expression is produced ; or 



