Relations between the Physical and the Moral. 261 



could employ the microscope, it would resolve this general state into 

 a myriad 'of particular states, themselves the effects of a myriad 

 of vague excitations of the organism. Thus, then, this general 

 feeling of existence is referable to elementary psychological states, 

 of which each has its physiological antecedent 



II. 



If from this obscure region we pass into the full light of con- 

 sciousness, we have the same result. In the order of the sentiments, 

 as ]n that of ideas, the phenomena that are purest, most quint- 

 essential and freest from matter, have, like others, their organic 

 conditions. Some facts which we will cite will give us, with regard 

 to this point, an amount of information that never could be divined 

 by all the theories in the world unaided by experience. We will 

 begin with the sentiments. 



All must admit that many of the sentiments and passions de- 

 pend upon a certain state of the organs. Most languages, indeed, 

 employ words signifying ' heart ' and ' bowels,' to denote our emo- 

 tions. But it will be found that to many sentiments is attributed 

 the privilege of being purely spiritual. 



Thus, love. There is hardly any passion that is more intimately 

 associated with the organ. Yet it has been supposed that under a 

 certain form, called platonic, or ideal love, there arises a purely 

 mental state, having nothing in common with the senses. The 

 truth is, that love in man differs widely from the appetite of the 

 brute, as in a great measure it is the work of the imagination and 

 of the mind, because it is a complex sentiment, resulting from the 

 fusion of many simple sentiments. An able psychologist of our 

 own day who has analysed it, finds in it, besides a physical senti- 

 ment, a sense of the beautiful, affection, sympathy, admiration, 

 love of approbation, self-love, love of possession and of liberty. 

 Now we will show hereafter that all intellectual states have their 

 physiological conditions. The physical sentiment, which is the 

 starting-point of love, is masked by numerous states of con- 

 sciousness more intense than itself; but it exists, notwithstanding, 

 with those organic excitations peculiar to it. Facts to be found in 

 medical works leave no doubt as regards this question, and prove 

 that, though the spirit at first is master, the flesh at last prevails. 



