74 INSTINCTS 



So long as they were not positively harmful 

 they would not be eliminated by the stress of 

 competition. 



It is contended by some psychologists that 

 expressions of feeling are actually the causes of 

 the mental states which they manifest that we 

 are glad because we laugh, ashamed because we 

 blush, envious because we sneer, and angry 

 because we tremble. This theory is difficult to 

 sustain, and is in conflict with the fact that the 

 same reaction a blush for instance may arise 

 from either of two different feelings. There are 

 believers in the idea that a cheerful disposition 

 may be maintained by keeping a smiling counten- 

 ance. This may be true : memories of a feeling 

 may no doubt be recalled by the muscular reaction 

 which ordinarily expresses it. And we may 

 unhesitatingly believe that emotions and feelings 

 are enhanced in influence by being muscularly 

 expressed, just as panic may be increased by 

 running, and courage by the bracing of self- 

 control. Expressions of emotion may reinforce 

 emotion, although they are its accompaniment, 

 not its cause ; enjoyment may be increased by 

 laughter, although one may enjoy with an un- 

 smiling face. 



The expression of feeling is common to all the 

 higher animals, and generally follows the lines 

 that are instinctive with mankind. Anger may 

 be shown by the lips, affection by the eyes, 

 pleasure and displeasure by the voice, joy by 

 spasmodic movements of the body. Birds tremble 

 in the ecstasy of song. Dogs, like children, jump 

 for joy : there are those that can smile, or will, 

 it is alleged, shed tears of grief. 



We must not confuse with these spontaneous 

 reactions the behaviour which is accepted by our 

 community as the proper means of expressing 



