Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-07-09
Written for the Spirit of the Age.
The Study Of Human Nature.
BY VEOL TULLY, NJ. D.

l.,
alabama.
Human \ Nature-what is it Let US go
to the great Lexicographer, Webster, and
find out the received definition. Says he:
s. When we speak Of the nature of man,
we understand the peculiar constitution OF
his body or mind, or the qualities of the
species which distinguish him from other
animals. Wheny speak of thasnature of
a nan, 0r ~ indiy.dus 70
mean bis paslicula qAliIies OF constitu-
ton either the peculiar temperament of
bis body.or the affections of his mind, bis
natural appetites, passions, disposition or
temper, So of irrational animals. And
thus it f Nows, that whea We study human
nature,-&e study the apeculiar constitu-
ton Of his body or mind,'s &c. That is
the true and legitimate object in studying
the nature of that curious compound, man.
And what broad field of interest, pleas,
ure and profit, is thus opened to US ! In
order to obtain q clear and accurate insight
into mans physical nature, VIC must inves-
.Sate minutely and follow out carefully
sas sSNl etails of Anatomy and Physiology,
j. Mem the laws of Mechanics as IL
lalooyy 2o,s the machinery of mans inven-
ton, %, sol History, Natural Philosophy
and GskL UNJUST also be pressed into
Geir principles thoroughly
and then we can say we know
something about this physical nature. To
understand the mental part of mans ma
ture, we must 60 to metaphysics or mental
Philosophy. Thus we see what wide
range must be explored before we can boast
to bur fellow men that we have studied hu-
man nature. And tits not every one who
boasts thus, and who pretends that he
knows all the workings of mans mind. the
secret springs of action and his motives
for his particular course of conduct, that
tells the truth. He may think he under
stands all this, and may rest fondly in bis
belief, until some gross misjudgement on
bis part brings him to his senses. 1t was
the saying Of man, who was considered
wise il his generation, that, to "get along
in the world, yonIhust treat every man a
rascal till you found him to beotherwise
which, in our humble judgment, was
scurvy way to treat his brethren i: besides
it is pre- judging and we an know tha
prejudice, whether in favor(of or against,
altnnether wrong
fond OF "studyiDg nurlan 93turs, rs TIE tie
call it-a greater misnomei to such grea
subject could hardly be found. Unde
cover of this branch of them q pursuit afte
knowledge" they commit excesses an
crimes which they would blush to own
and they deceive none but themselves whe
they enter all sorts of places, mingle wit
all sorts of people, participate in all sorts
mis-called fun, and then call it " stud yin
human nature" bah We doubt yer
much whether they would not make gres
deal better citizens if they never knew
| these things, except from reading, whe
they have arrived at the age of maturity.
But turning from this dark side of th
picture, let US look on brighter. Man
nature has often been fully investigated
but woman's! ah! there's the subject wo
thy of youths study. Statesmen, b
roes, poets, divines, sculptors," have a
made this their careful study-from a
time have the fairer sex 6een looked upc
as the most perfect part of creation-har
to Burns:
Dame nature swearS
The lovely dears,
4 Her every work surpases O!
Her prentice hand
She tried on man
And then she made the lasses G!
What youngster, who has attained
majority, that has not, with Byron, a
knowledged "the might, the majesty
loveliness.' Woman's character can We
bear scrutiny and study" Her gif,
which are manifold, are all appropriat,
to some good end But ] forbear, lest
be accused of writing what has been wr
ten thousands of times before, eulogy
woman. Size needs it not. Let every on
who wishes to undertake a difficult b
pleasing task, " bask in the sunshine of
; woman's smiles" and endeavor to fatho
the origin of that smile, bright, beautif
and evanescent, as it flashes across th
sunny face, the course of thatquick CLAN
of her merry eye as she asks "whcre we
you last Sunday" &C., dd infnttum.
We feel ourselves justifable, in trar
!, cribing for the many readers of the asp
it," the following beautiful extract frc
, the Lady's Book for Aug. 1887 l cou
!. walk twenty miles to shake the author
the hand!
"-- For while the other objects
! assigned one function, &c !, to it, ii. e..
woman) care given all forms and mod
phrases OF expression; power, who ha
not felt it? purity, who doth not reverer
it! Peace and love and changeless trut
E there fingers the last memory of Paradi
6 there kindles the first hope of heave
= while beauty lives upon the earth, the d;
CT chivalry are never gone, the heroic tin
, are not passed away, religion never sh
be extinct, anu faith shall never grow
solete
: look upon beautiful woman witt
: kind Of veneration. The gift of fairn
is God-like gift; and the history o.
y lovely face would be record of bles
= miracle. How often has the casual glai
: : of beauty fro U her lattice woke into spl
did life the torpid soul of man. How
ten has its careless smile struck glori
hope into the desponding heart. L,
ago had | lapsed into the darkness of
terialism but for the intense spiritua
4 which beams in thy face, Oh! douqhte,
~1i5sg fIo YIo,csoO Go,,tI