/ 
524 
beral curiofity, fubdued by kindnefs, or 
ftimulated by dignified emotion. ‘The 
remarks of Dr. Reid refpecting the effecis 
of vigilance are iluftrative of the prece- 
ding obfervations : 
«© Conftant vigilance will be likely to 
roduce inlanity, by fubjecting,the mind 
habitually to that increated violence of 
feeling, which we muft have obferved to 
take place during the darknefs, the filence, 
gnd the folitude of the night. Really it is 
aftonifhing, in how much more lively a 
manner we are apt in thefe circumftances 
to be imprefied by ideas that prefent 
themfelves, than when the attention of 
the mind is diffipated, and its fenfibiliry 
in a confiderable degree abforbed by the 
aétion of light, found, and that variety of 
objects which, during the day, operate 
upon our external fenfes.”” 
To the oppofing of paffion by reafon, 
and the fetting paffion in array againft pat- 
fion, a third method of cure is fuggelted, 
impreffive by its novelty, and alluring by 
its apparent facility—-The complete gra- 
tification of the abforbing feeling. “io 
wave the real impraéticability with which 
this muft frequently be attended, or the 
licence which it feems toallow, and again 
which your correfpondent has not fufii- 
ciently guarded, I would tecall to his at- 
tention {ome remarks in the former part of 
his paper : 
«© The habitual indulgence of any pro- 
penfity in oppofition to the dilate of rea> 
fon, tends gradually to weaken, and at 
length to deftroy altogether, the influence 
of that faculty.” 
The fenfibility conftantly goaded by ex- 
eefive ftimuli cannot fail in time to be 
thrown into a morbid ffate.”’ 
<¢ Moft aétions, however pleafurable at 
Gift, by a frequent repetition of them be- 
come indifferent. That is, the pleafure 
conneGed with the performance of them 
diminifhes, whilft the pain of abftaining 
increa(es in the fame proportion. So that 
the relinquifhment of a habit is then found 
to be moft difficult and painful, when it 
‘has arrived at that pitch of inveteracy, as 
even to be unattended with confcioufnefs.”’ 
«¢ In thofe perfons. who carry intoxica- 
tion daily to fuch a pitch as induces a tem- 
porary madnefs, it feems likely that this 
itate fhould from the force of habit become 
permanent.” : 
<¢ Although a ftate Rriétly deferving the 
name of mania frequently dees not follow 
as the immediate confequence from a tranf- 
greffion of fobriety; yet, as fuch tran{- 
Remarks on Dr. Reid on Infanity. 
/ 
[ July 1, 
greffion in every inftance diminifhes the 
power of reafon, as well as gives an un- 
natural ftrength to all the paffions, and to 
that in particular to which the conftitu- 
tion is peculiarly prone, its tendency to 
produce at length a complete and ebftinate 
diforder of the mental faculties muft be 
‘too evident to ftand in need of any faither 
proof or elucidation.” 
If the madnefs of an angry man is eafed 
by the blow infliéted on the object of his 
refentment, will not the facility of grati- 
fying this paffion fmooth the way, both 
morally and medically, to its more frequent 
recurrence? If forrow finds relief intears, 
will not forrow be rendered permanent by 
habits of repining!? If the fenfualift quen- 
ches his fre in intemperate gratification, 
are habits of purity and felf-controul to 
be expected from this indulgence? Let 
us beware, while we confefs our imbeci- 
lity, how we fan&ticn our errors. ‘The 
death of paffion fucceeds, fays Dr. Reid, 
to its complete gratification. ‘To a pofi- 
tion fo loofely ftated, where are we to af- 
fign limits? How many paflions are con+ 
tinually progreffive, how many attend us 
to the grave, and even look beyond it, how 
many by indulgence are rendered perpe- 
tually craving? This indeed appears to 
be of the nature and effence of fireng paf- 
fion,—I fpeak not of tranfient appetite, 
When may a pafiion be faid to be com- 
pletely gratified? If only when it is ex- 
tinguifhed, the. pofition refolves itfelf into 
vain repetition, or a felf-evident axiom, 
Upon this principle, how would indiyi- 
duals exift in fociety, how would the rights 
of others be refpefted, what would. become 
of prudence and propriety, of fortitude, 
of temperance, of {elf-controul ? 
In proof'of the obfervation of Dr. Cul- 
len, that the paffions are rendered more 
violent by the indulgence of the motions 
which they produce, the contagious and 
fympathetic effect of thefe motions (or 
gefiures) may be alleged ; paffion by its 
geftures and expreffions is communicated 
trom mind to mind with electric rapidity. 
Paffion, whether morbid or mental, is 
checked and diverted even by the efforts 
ufed for its reftraint ; reiteration and Habit 
are its grand auxiliaries; no indulgence - 
‘becomes dangerous till fixed by repetition 
on the mind: neither, as is juftly obferved 
by Dr. Reid, is there any mental emotion, 
indulged to excefs, which may not induce 
maniacal derangement. 
Mary Hays. 
June 105 1890. , cs. 
Ta 
