The Plea of Insanity. 



291 



mental and demonstrative science, their task would be comparatively 

 easy. But they have to deal with the outward, ijliysical manifestation 

 of inward, immaterial, occult forces. 



The astronomer, by the aid of his instruments and mathematical 

 science, is able to make an accurate survey of the heavens, weigh the 

 planets as in a balance, and trace their orbits with unerring precision. 

 The scientist, with his glass, reveals the wonders of the microscopic 

 world, and makes the solid earth seem instinct with organic life. 

 But with what instruments shall the psychologist examine the soul? 

 By what science, pure or applied, shall he determine its nature ? By 

 what mathematics, speculative or mixed, shall he unfold with precision 

 its laws and powers ? The surgeon cannot subject it to his knife, nor 

 the anatomist to his scalpel ; it is beyond the power of chemical analy- 

 sis ; it will not respond to the inquisition of the microscope. What is 

 it? Where is it? What is the fact and the Zaz^ of its connection 

 with the body? These and other questions may easily be asked; but 

 an attempt to answer them satisfactorily will at once reveal the in- 

 trinsic difficulties involved. 



And these difficulties arc presented by the mind in its normal state, 

 studied by a mind in the same condition, w^hen the investigation is 

 aided by introspection, the observer beholding in himself, as in a mir- 

 ror, the general features of his study. 



But how immeasurably are the difficulties increased when the sub- 

 ject is a mind in an ahiormal state; when, instead of light and divine 

 order, there is darkness and tumultuous chaos ; and when the student 

 finds no assistance from corresponding features within himself! 



Dr. Elwell, in a recent issue of the North American Keview, writes 

 thus: "The human mind, connected as it is with matter, so far as we 

 know any thing about it, in its best estate is an unknown quantity, 

 having no unit or standard of measurement by which it can be accu- 

 rately defined. Hence it is often most difficult, or even impossible, to 

 determine precisely when there is a departure from a healthy standard 

 or normal condition. No two individuals being alike in their normal 

 condition of mmd, it follows that each must be his own standard for 

 comparison, and that an uncertain one. No words in the language 

 have 3'et been able to define mind, sane or insane; and it has no 

 synonym but mystery. Over the portal that leads to the luminous 

 temple where thought dwells, the pilgrim who would enter there sees 

 written in letters of living light the inscription: * Put off thy shoes 

 from off thy feet, for the ground whereon thou standest is holy 

 ground.' It is the temple of an unknown God, and whosoever would 

 rush unbidden into this presence, thinking to sit face to face with and 



