New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-02-20

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called the separating or anAlyrng the comparing
or alternating, and the combining or synthenfng
faculties. All processes # distribution, conbi-
nstlon arrangement and organization from The most
simple to the most compiler, are the result Of the
action of these forces, or faculties.
The faculty OF anslysm, for example, disin:esra-
ting any whole on which i: operates, gives rise 10
variety in unity 10 individuality, TO disso4ance, 70
ryaiIy, ard to csu.all.y. 10 lite m.re Intense 81
| ton il distinguishes the most delicate shades OF
difference and thus is oue Of the sources Of uni
yersal re finement and perfection. Ia combustion
With ober pa,sons II produces intrigue diplomacy,
m,ntuverIDg, tactics, s,heming aud the hke In
science il org mates the deductiye method.
TIE alternating faculty produces change, alter
ration, and meditation in all elements aud forces
upon which it operates. II gives rise to cowpar-
ison, ,ha. s. 10 the alternate perception Of slm-
larities and dissimlarties resemolances and differ
eDces, and thus performs one of the three primary
processes Of classification.
The combining faculty operates in the inverse
order TO that of anaysm. I:groups and synthe-
sizes different elements which are in affinity uniting
hem in whOes and thus gives rise to the principle
Of unity in variety This intellectual passion is the
basis Of cons,ructveness and ideality, that IT, the
desire of combining, bringing together and adjust.
Ing different elements, ideas, aud passions, and
establishing in them concert Of action 1t performs
the Ultimate process of classification, as 1t unites
the elements to be classified, perceises the resem-
bsnce between them and assigns position accord
! ing to similarity or affinity. In its more intense
action, it leads TO wider comb nations and synthe-
ses opens an eDargiDg range to the mental VISION,
produces the sense of grandeur and subhmity, and
thus contributes to the attainment of universal per-
fiction. In science, it originates the inductiye
method.
The acton of the three intellectual passions may
be illustrated by few examples. Acting in
Beethoven, Mozart they distribute, classify, and
so to ray, seralze sounds, and create musical har
mOLy. In Culver, LinnGus, they classify the
animal, vegetable and mineral creations, repro
duce the order established by Divine Wisdom in the
kingdom Of nature, and thus evolve the science OF
Natural History. In a kepler, Newton, they dis
cover the laws which regulate The movements of the
heavenly bodies and create the science of AstronO-
my. In Homer, a Dante, Shakespeare, they seize
the perceptions, IDEAS and images furnished by the
other passions of the soul, and distribute the Ian
euoge in which they are clothed III number, measure
and rhy tim, and thus create the poetic art.
Tie passions, as thus explained, are the impelling
forces in man. the source of all his acts, consti-
tutiDg in truth, bis essential individuality. HIS
| lie is but their visible manifestation. Hence they
are the springs of all his good as Of all his bad
deeds Of all his virtues, well as of all his crimes;
in word, the ource of Good and Evil in his social
career. Hence the origin of moral evil in society is
| to be found in their operation.
| This point has been already alluded to- but it
needs q little further eucid.ton. The passions,
like all the forces of nature, are liable TO be misdi-
recled and perverted in their development and ac-
ton. When thus falsely developed, they produce
evil effects which are the opposite of the good
effects produced by their legitimate action. This
law is of universal apple alton TO all active forces.
Developed in their lower degrees, for example,
the five material passions, the senses, give rise to
cosrsensss, vugariy, licentou'ness, and brutality
Wiihou. refined cultivation the sense of taste leads
to prossness Of appetite, 10 guttony, to gormand-
ism, ~ drunkenness, and iutemperauce. Hearing
is pleased with noise and vocferstion; eight, with
ta~dry forms and colors; touch, with rude tex
lures snd unceany objects. The same senses de-
yeloped in their higher degrees, harmonlously dis
clplined and refined Ill their action, excite the love
Of material order, elegance and beauty, guard man
against cosrseness. vulgarity slovenness and sens
ual di.cords generally, stimulate him TO refined
tastes and habits, and awaken in hun the sentiment
of universal art The four social passions, ia like
manner developed in their lower degrees, chill the
Nc bier and expansive emotions, le,ye no room
for collective sympathles, and produce Indifference
10 the welfare of the masses and to general inter
ests So also the misdirecion and perversion of
the natural passions, az we'll their conflict with
each other, are productive of the most peruicious
| cOnse quences. The uobAlauced or excessive de-
velopment of the material passions or the senses,
and their preponderance over the SOCIAL affections,
is the source of large proportion Of the moral evil
which dsturbs society. These two classes OF pas
sions sct In opposite directions to each other The
sen.es tend iawardy-to self, and consequently
give rise to Sc f,hness-the social affections tend
outwsrdly-tO others, and produce the love OF
man, self.denal, self-sacrlfce. The pleasures pro-
cured by the seuses are matter Of exclusive indl-
yi6usl enjoyment. The social affections, on the
oti er hand, tend ~ others-they minister to the
wants, comforts, and happiness OF our fellow.men.
! They find their qualification in promoting the wei
fare of the objects of their sympathy. They can
not be enjoyed in isolation, like the senses but the
,ocety of other beings is essential to their fruton.