North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1840-02-26
Miscellaneous.
AMIJsE MENTS.

In endeavoring 10 ascertain the phlloso-
phy, as we may call il, Of amusement, one
fact must strike US with great force, name
w, that the power of producing and cfea-
ting amusement, and the power of ENJOY
ing it, are inherent parts Of our nature, and
with that, as with oil other parts OF oul
nature, there are things 10 the external
world which seem 10 have been expressly
created with an adaptation to them. Men
possess, in greater or less degrees, the
power Of bodying forth the forms oi fancy
in poetry; and they have also the power
OF enjoying thai poetry when fancy has
created il. They possess the power or
genius Of representing real or imaginary
objects in painting engraving, or sculpture,
and have the power Of enjoying The sight
OF those objects when so represented. They
possess in greater or less degree, power
OF leigning scenery, characters ant sltua-
iions, resembling those Of the actual world,
and of enjoying those iictions or feelings,
whether they are expressed in descriptive
language, or set before their eyes in tam
pibIe form :: as in the novel, the epic poem,
or the drama. Again, man is endowed
with faculty for so acting upon his thora-
cic organs, or playing upon musical lnstru-
ments, and producing a combination oil
sounds OF melody and harmony, pleasing
both 10 himself and Others. BY virtue OF
another part OF our nature, it 10 ordained
tina, when we hear gay and lively tunes
played in well.marked time, we instinct
lively desire 10 make certain corresponding
movements OF our muscular frame, these
movements, termed dancing, being admira-
bly calculated to promote the circulation of
the blood. have q nervous influence all over
the body, and thereby strengthen The limbs,
the heart, the 10 s, and the brsin--in
short these invigo; the health, and ren-
der the mind ole cheerful and happy.
Now, ii il be acknowledged that the
Creator has, by the general arrangement
OF the habitable world, manifested dispo-
si,ion to confer happiness on all his crea-
trres-which it would be impious to deny
we cannot for moment doubt, that the
powers so conspicuous in our mental sys-
ten, and operating So directly for enjoy
ment, were meant 10 be employed for that
end. Amusement thus becomes simply a
pari of the great beneuolen! design, every
psrt Of which, however il may appear to
us TO differ from another in utility or digni-
", is al certainly entitled TO our respect as
it's great Author is 10 his acknowledged
character Of an sll-wise, just and good
God.
Another important principle Of our ma
ture argues powerfully in favor Of amuse-
ments. The professional duties by which
man ia general earn their subsistence and
maintain their place in society, are in most
cases OF such nature as only TO call into
exer,iou portion of their mental and boz
div powers. Something is required at
once to sooihe and compensate US for the
drudgery OF our current labors, and TO
bring into exercise those, portions OF our
muscular frame and intellect which profess
siona duty or daily avocation has LETT un-
occupied. That the harmonious and mod
crate exercise OF all parts Of oar mental and
bodily system is indispensable 10 the enjoy
ment OF good health, no one can deny; II
is proved by the very craving we expert
ence after long daily task, craving for
something which. by engaging the facul-
Ties OF an opposite kind, may allow those
which are wea,ied to sink into rest. In
deed, all the phenomena of ordinary hfe
may be traced tn the calls which are made
by the sympathies and intellectual powers
left over by business. for such share Of
exercise as may help tn promote and pre-
serve the harmony Of the whole system.
In amusements, as in every thing else,
we must distinguish between the use and
the abuse. That some men for The sake
OF music, neglect their studies and graver
duties, or that young ladies' will some times
think more earnestly about a dance than
about their moral and Intellectual improve
nent, forms no valid argument against mu-
SIC or dancing, the fault does not lie with
music or dancing in the abstract, but with
something quite external, temporary or &C
eidental. In like manner. music or the
droliery Of comic actors, and the living
and majestic pictures OF the trsgedisn, are
no, shslrsetly reprehensible in themselves,
finley are enjoyed free from circumstances
nf 4. eonasrntnnfinO ehararfeF The lacul-