NOTE M, (p. 235.) THE utility of coercion in giving self-command, when moral principle is feeble, is illustrated in a remarkable manner in a short work, which particularly deserves the attention of persons engaged in education. It is entitled Elements of the Pathology of the Human Mind, by THOMAS MAYO, M.D., F.R.S. In the Appendix to it, the reader will find an account of a young man, in whom moral perceptions were so deficient as to constitute a form of insanity, so far as that term may be applied to derangement of the feelings, rather than to that of the mental faculties, which in him were not deficient. The principle of the treatment to which this young man was subjected was, (to use the author's expression,) to give the restraints imposed on him, as much as possible, the invincible, and at the same time, dispassionate character of a law of nature. There was, in his management, nothing that could gall or teaze, but also nothing that could be evaded. Certain restraints, or privations, were made the invariable consequences of certain acts of insubordination. From these, therefore, he learned to refrain, as a man learns not to run into danger: the deficient moral sense was supplied by a sense of expediency, and he learned the habit of submitting to that consideration. Thus was the power of selfcontrol given in a case of particular and unusual difficulty. NOTE N, (p. 245.) IN confirmation of the views given in the text the following examples may be added :— comet. Clairault and Lalande were assisted by Madame Lepaute, in their laborious calculations for Halley's Clairault calls her "La savante calculatrice." These calculations employed the incessant labour of all three for six months. Lalande declares, that without her assistance they could not have succeeded, but her assiduity was such that her eyesight was injured. She was the authoress of several scientific works, useful in their day, but which, with many others, have now lost their value by the progress of science, which seldom leaves lasting celebrity except to great discoverers. She was a very beautiful woman, with polished manners, a great deal of wit, and full of generosity and tenderness. Her husband was a clock-maker, a man very much distinguished for his science, and much esteemed. Madame Lepaute died of seven years' close attendance upon him in his last illness. He survived her a very short time, and was suffered to spend the remnant of his days in ignorance of his loss.-See Biographie Universelle; article Lepaute. I have myself known a lady, whose assistance in arranging and preparing the materials for a work of great labour and merit, was so important, that it is doubtful, whether her husband's life and health would have enabled him to get through the task without her aid. That assistance of this nature remains unrewarded, either by money or fame, is no objection. The vigour of mind, the consciousness of utility, the personal interest in a husband's success, or in that of a parent or a son, are rewards enough. The above instances are unusual, especially that of Madame Lepaute; but the ordinary business of life does not require unusual abilities, and in the text it is only the capacity of rendering assistance in what is commonly wanted, that is so earnestly recommended. NOTE O, (p. 251.) SUBMISSION to wrong is very often a duty to society. If every subordinate refused submission to every trifling encroachment upon his privileges, they would thereby, all constitute themselves judges in their own cause, and there would be an end of all order. Any conduct which leads to that dreadful condition is highly reprehensible, for, as has been already stated, the character of actions is to be judged of, not solely by the specific effects of each individual act, but by the consequences, supposing such conduct to become general. It is the condition of society, that rights are to be constituted, not according to the particular interests of each case, but by some general rule, which, upon the whole, produces the nearest approach to perfect equity. If the rule, on the one side, leave the way open to petty violations of justice on the part of the superior, on the other, it gives little security for invariable sub mission when commands are just. These are but the unavoidable evils attendant on general rules, and do not overbalance the good effects of such rules. On this is founded the duty of bearing with wrong. If no stretch of authority is ever to be endured, no failure of due obedience is ever to be pardoned: such rigour would be intolerable to both parties. Again, one virtue is not to be maintained to the exclusion of all others. Few moral duties are plainer than those of mutual forbearance, patience, forgiveness, and returning good for evil, in all the relations of life; and they are as incumbent on one party as on another. On the other side, if nobody ever resisted any aggression of power, the empire of violence and wrong would be everywhere established, and the very ends for which society is created, (which are virtue and happiness,) would be destroyed. The cultivation of reason and moral principle is therefore essential, in all classes and both sexes. In general, the clearer the reasons and uses of authority are, and the less the rights of the superiors are mingled up with unreasonable powers, the more willing will be the submission, and the more will insubordinate tempers be restrained by the disapprobation of common opinion. END OF THE FIRST VOLUME. London: Harrison and Co., Printers, St. Martin's Lane. |