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pidity itself, were not fleeting away with every breath, but remained permanent.

The sick lady of Philadelphia saw the physician, with whom she had been acquainted in the early part of life. By the mention of the eagle's nest, he vividly recalled the scenes of those young days. But it was the presence of the person, whose observation had given rise to the train of association, which contributed chiefly to keep it so long in her thoughts. Had it occurred merely from some accidental direction of her own mind, without any present object, which had made a part of it, no doubt her sufferings or other circumstances would soon have banished it.

(2) The second cause of the increased vividness of associations, suggested by a present object of perception or combined with it, is this, viz. The reality of the thing perceived is communicated in the illusion of the moment to the thing suggested. The trees of the desert were the hiding place of the lion, when the African saw him in early life; and now after the lapse of so many years, he imagines, that, in the quickened eye of his mind he beholds the forests of his native soil, because he has before him the proud and powerful animal, that crouched under their shade. And the presence of the monarch of the forest gives a reality not only to woods and deserts; but by a communication of that, which exists to that, which is merely suggested, the whole group of his early experiences of whatever kind, so far as they are recalled, virtually acquire a like truth and reality.

These remarks may be properly applied to explain a recent strong manifestation of feeling in a whole people. The citizens of the United States have a multitude of patriotic associations, connected with their revolutionary war. But those associations, owing to length of time, were by degrees growing dim on the minds of the aged, and made a still more diminished impression on those of the young. In the years eighteen hundred twenty-four and five, La Fayette, the only surviving revolutionary

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officer of the grade of major-general came from France on a visit to this country to see once more the people, for whom he had fought in his youth. All classes flocked to behold him, and to grasp his hand. Nothing could exceed the deep feeling, which existed from one part of the republic to the other. But it was not the individual merely, however strongly the people were attached to him, that awoke such a happy and lofty enthusiasm. All the events and all the characters of the revolution exist to the present generation in associated states of the mind, and, as La fayette had long formed a part in those ideal associations, when we were so fortunate, as to see him with our own eyes and touch him with our own hands, the Revolution seemed in a new sense to be real, and all its scenes were embodied before us. All his associates in suffering and danger, all the renowned names that once fought by his side, were concentred in himself. The reality of the living seemed to spread itself into the shadowy images of the dead; and thus the presence of this distinguished individual created not only a virtual re-existence, but a virtual presence for those revolutionary wor thies, who are destined to maintain a cherished and permanent resting place in the hearts of American citizens. It is in this deep and fond illusion, that we are, in part at least, to seek for the cause of the overwhelming emotion, which was exhibited.

In all the cases, which have been mentioned, the associated feelings were intensely powerful; a multitude of other instances, occurring indeed every day, illustrate the same idea, that they are strong and vivid in an unusual degree, when suggested by, or combined with a present object of perception. The two circumstances, which have been mentioned, seem to be the most obvious and satisfactory reasons, which can be given in explanation of the fact.

CHAPTER ELEVENTII.

LAW OF HABIT.

§. 117. General view of the law of habit and of its

application.

THERE is another great law of the mind, distinct from those which have been mentioned, which requires in this connection a separate and particular consideration, that of Habit. This important law of our constitution may be stated in general terms as follows; That the mental action acquires facility and strength from repetition or practice. The fact, that the facility and the increase of strength, implied in HABIT, is owing to mere repetition, or what is more frequently termed practice, we learn, as we do other facts and principles in relation to the mind, from the observation of men around us, and from our own personal experience. And as it has hitherto been found impracticable to resolve it into any general fact or principle more elementary; it may be justly regarded as something ultimate and essential in our nature.

The term Habit, by the use of language, indicates the facility and strength, acquired in the way which has been mentioned, including both the result and the manner of it. As the law of habit has reference to the whole mind of man, the application of the term, which expresses it, is of course very extensive. We apply it to the dexterity of workmen in the different manual arts, to the rapidity of the accountant, to the coup d'œil or eye-glance of

the military engineer, to the tact and fluency of the extemporaneous speaker, and in other like instances.-We apply it also in cases, where the mere exercise of emotion and desire is concerned; to the avaricious man's love of wealth, the ambitious man's passion for distinction, the wakeful suspicions of the jealous, and the confirmed and substantial benevolence of the philanthropist..

It is remarkable, that the law under consideration holds good in respect to the body, as well as the mind. In the mechanical arts and in all cases, where there is a corporeal, as well as mental effort, the effect of practice will be found to extend to both. Not only the acts of the mind are quickened and strengthened, but all those muscles, which are at such times employed, become stron ger and more obedient to the will. Indeed the submission of the muscular effort to the volition is oftentimes rendered so prompt by habit, that we are unable distinctly to recollect any exercise of volition, previous to the active and muscular exertion. It s habit, which causes that peculiarity of attitude and motion, so casily discoverable in most persons, termed their gait; it is habit also, which has impressed on the muscles, immediately connected with the organs of speech, that fixed and precise form of action, which in different individuals gives rise, in part at least, to characteristic peculiarities of voice. The habit in the cases just mentioned is both bodily and mental, and has become so strong, that it is hardly possible to counteract it for any length of time.-But it will be necessary in the remainder of this chapter to limit our considerations chiefly to Habit, considered as a law of our mental

nature.

§. 118. Illustrations of the law of habit.

There will be occasion in almost every part of this Work, to illustrate and confirm this law. We shall scarcely advance a step in any part of our inquiries, without being called upon to contemplate increased evidence of its extent and power. It seems proper, however, to introduce in this place some further instances in illustra

tion of its existence and nature; remarking at the same time that we discuss the subject here only in part and imperfectly, as we should otherwise anticipate remarks, which will more suitably offer themselves on subsequent occasions.

If a person, for instance, make it a practice to recall words which have a similar sound, this particular form. of association will by degrees be so strengthened, that in the end it will be by no means difficult to secure the recurrence of such words. This is the true explanation of the power of rhyming. It is well known, that most persons, whether they posess poetical genius or not, may acquire this power, by continuing for a length of time their search after words of a like termination. But this case of increased facility of association answers to the alleged result of the law under consideration; and is an instance, and at the same time an illustration, and proof of HABIT.

Again, if a public speaker have fixed in his mind certain permanent principles, which are to guide him in the division and subdivision of his discourse, he acquires by practice a readiness in respect to them, and immediately applies them to every subject of debate. By means of the habit which he has formed, he is not only enabled to resolve a subject into suitable parts, but to pass without hesitation or danger of mistake from one part of it to another; whereas a person, who has not formed this habit is perpetually at a loss; he advances and retreats, goes over the ground again and again, and involves himself in inextricable confusion.

But take an instance of a little different kind, which, however, not less clearly shows what results may be expected from practice."I sometimes amuse myself, [says Dr. Priestly,] with playing on a flute, which I did not learn very early, so that I have a perfect remembrance, that I exerted an express voluntary power every time that I covered any particular hole with my finger. But though I am no great proficient on the instrument, there are some tunes which I now very often play without ever attending to my fingers, or explicitly to the tune. I have even

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