removing diseases, has been generally acknowdged. But this imagination could only produce its effects by the strong Affections which accompany it; otherwise it would be as inert as the most abstract idea. These affections are indicated in the various passions and emotions we have been contemplating. It is, moreover, worthy of notice, that in every powerful exertion of the Imagination, some change takes place in the body correspondent with its nature. In a keen appetite, upon the thoughts of some favourite viand, the salivary glands are stimulated to a secretion of saliva, as preparatory to deglutition. We feel ourselves collected, firm, elevated, upon the lively representation of the firm, heroic, dignified conduct of another. The blood thrills in our veins, and the skin corrugates, at the description of any thing peculiarly horrible; and under the strong impression of fictitious danger, the attitude of our bodies attempts to evade it!

Full confidence in the

mystic power of another, places the whole system in a situation most favourable to the effects, which the object of his confidence undertakes to produce. This will explain much of what is genuine, in the pretensions of magnetizers ; and the exaggerating dispositions of both operator

and patient, will contribute to explain the rest. (See Note U.)

The above sketch, concise and imperfect as it is, will be sufficient to evince, that the Passions and Emotions have a medical influence upon the body and that each of them has its own characteristic influence, in its general mode of acting, although various and opposite effects may sometimes be produced by incidental circumstances. This, however, is precisely the case with the most esteemed medicaments ;with every thing which is deemed noxious or beneficial in the mineral, vegetable, and animal kingdoms; and with every part of nature, which possesses the power of acting upon the

human frame.

thè

In this investigation the Author has simply endeavoured to be the historian of facts, without intending to pay any deference to theory. But as medical language has chiefly been formed by different theories, which have most rapidly succeeded to each other, it is difficult to use terms which do not acknowledge some system or other for their parent; or to express ideas, without seeming to have a predilection for one hypothesis in preference to others, where the sole object is to establish indisputable facts. (See Note W.)

SECTION II.

Influence of the Passions on Thoughts and
Language.

IT has been remarked in our Analysis, that whenever any subject presents itself to the mind, with sufficient force to excite a passion, or a very strong affection, all the powers of the ima gination become immediately active. The whole soul is engaged upon its object, and the whole train of ideas is turned into a channel .correspondent with the view we entertain of that. The mind, with wonderful facility, collects together whatever has been laid up in the storehouse of the memory, or can be combined by the force of the imagination. Every thing alien is totally excluded; and it is in vain that others who are free from the impulse, attempt to suggest ideas of a contrary tendency. Reason becomes impotent, nor can the attention be directed from such circumstances as are intimately connected with the exciting cause; and these are magnified and aggravated to the utmost extent. Subjects of joy appear, at the instant,

to be the harbingers of essential and permanent bliss. The evils we fear, the injuries we suffer, the losses we sustain, seem to be the greatest that could possibly have been endured.

This state of mind not only manifests itself by gestures, looks, and tones, correspondent with the nature of the passion; but it has a characteristic influence upon the language and expressions employed to give vent to the passion, as it is emphatically termed.

Upon the first impulse, the thoughts are tumultuous and confused. A thousand half-formed suggestions and apprehensions crowd in upon us, in rapid or disorderly succession !

Whoever contemplates the effects of the passions, at this moment, will discover their perfect correspondence with the nature of those introductory emotions of Surprise, Wonder, and Astonishment, described in the analytical part of this Treatise. It is manifestly through their influence that the mind is thus confused, and that every idea is embarrassment and conjecture. The Wonder and Amazement, so precipitately excited, are accompanied by strong, abrupt, and indefinite language. The first impulse of Surprise deprives the subject of the power of utterance; and the first exertions of this returning power consist in loud exclamations, adapted

both to the nature of the emotion itself, and to its confusion and wonder, relative to the object.

As all these introductory emotions are ob viously founded on the weakness, ignorance, and conscious inferiority of our nature, thus do they prompt to Language which confesses an humiliated state. Powers above us are, as it were, instinctively addressed, either with exclamations of gratitude, of appeal, imprecation, or invocation of aid! Incredulity itself becomes most credulous; will thank the heavens for causes of excessive joy,-call aloud upon higher Beings for help in the moment of danger,-mourn its destiny, or curse its stars in the hour of vexation and disappointment! Those who, in a tranquil state of mind, ridicule the idea of future retribution, often become the most extravagant in their benedictions or imprecations, at the instant of tumultuous passion!

After the first impulse of passion, we begin to advert to the particular state in which the exciting cause has placed us. As a lively imagination is always disposed to magnify, we deem ourselves for the instant, the most happy or the most wretched of mortals; and a new train of thoughts is suggested to prove or illustrate the supposition.

Thus as the passion approaches somewhat