332 J. D. Whelpley on Philosophical Analogy. 
from facts. 
Starting from the highest, and at the same time the most uni- 
versal act of the Inductive Reason, let us consider first, by what 
mental operation we arrive at that knowledge of human nature, 
and confidence in each other, which makes the common intet- 
course of society easy and agfeeable ? 
From infancy upward, we are taught to observe with an in- 
tense acuteness and solicitude, the actions, gestures, and conversa- 
tion, of those with whom we associate. By an effort of reason, 
as unconscious as it is profound and scientific, we refer all human 
actions and gestures to certain spiritual principles, which we con- 
ceive to have their seat within the person. We are conscious of 
such principles in our own nature, and of the gestures and conduct 
which spring from, which express, and which gratify these ener- 
ies of the soul. In all languages, whether of barbarous or of 
cultivated nations, certain words and signs stand for them, and 
the refinemeuts of oratory and poetry consist entirely in their 
icer and more powerful expression. What, for example, more 
marked and observable than the language, features and conduct, 
proper to a headstrong obstinacy of Will ? 
Conscious of impulses of will in ourselves, and knowing the 
conduct proper to it, we are at no loss to detect it im another ; 
and having observed it in a great number, we at length con- 
ceive of will, as of an energy—the fundamental energy—of the 
human soul. 
The first step of this observation regards only the form of 
humanity, of the human person; and to this we attach a spe 
cific idea, 
The second step is to observe the motions and changes of the 
person,—and to these also, we attach to the same idea. 
By the third step we conceive of a latent individuality, oF 
unity of powers, in the person observed ;— 
And the fourth step brings us to an observation of the modes 
and directions, in which this individual Power, or Energy, © 
ates, and excites itself. 
When the circle of observation is complete, we have attained 
a true and scientific knowledge of the human Will, as a free, Spe 
cific and individual, power. Persons gifted with a powerful fac- 
ulty of moral observation, see unconsciously through every trait 
of a character, with accuracy and rapidity, and, from the obser 
vation of an hour, take a true impression of the whole; DU 
this power is given to but few, and is developed only by great eX 
perience and thought. In this field, scientific reason works so 4p 
