True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-05-06
The Philosophy of Beauty.

we nope our IeaueES Will pdluoh U.S.
says the jefferson Journal. for devoting
portion Ct our sheet TO subject appa-
rently foreign 10 newspapers we have
not followed the trodden path OF The
press, but we have always been of the
opinion that newspapers should be used
not merely as vehicles Of news and light
amusement, such as produce mere transit
tory pleasure, but should also he as far
as possible the means OF yielding in
struction and giving information that may
dwell upon the mind Of the reader, and
form subjects for thought. We are IT,
red of politics. and think that enough
has been presented upon political sub
iects to satisfy any mind for any indefin-
lie length of time. We have thought
This apology necessary, to account Tor our
deviation from the common opinion that
our business was only 10 amuse.
The general idea Of beauty in nature
is as various as the various minds which
are susceptible of the feeling. 1t is an
old, but trite and tue saying that no two
persons see alike this arises from the
fact that no two persons are mentally
constituted alike. The difference o
mind in individuals is as great as that o.
body. That the existence Of beauty doe:
not consist entirely in the formation OF ex
ternal objects, we do not believe. Ou
definition OF the term would therefore be
that it is the pleasurable sensations pro
duced upon The mind BY objects aided b.
adventurous circumstances, and that thos
pleasurablc feelings are increased in pre-
portion 10 tue favorable nature of thos
r circumstances, thus giving the compare
tive ideas of beauty.
Therefore perfect beauty cannot exls
, without a perfection Of concurrent Gil
cumstsnces. But such concurrence cal
not exist with the present state OF thing
upon earth, The consequence must nece'
sarily be that perfection Of beauty cal
not be found on earth.
A common error is 10 confne beau
:, to mere .externals, as for example, in o'
!. serving lady, the remark is commo
- she is beautiful )" this may apply
the transient sensations, but is not suflicie
10 establish claim to bea uty, becau
= the impression left is not permanent.
h We lave known persons whose appe;
~ ance at first sight was rather disagreeat
!, than otherwise, who upon more intlmi
i, acquaintance, manifested such intel
n gence, happiness Of disposition or oil
n pleasing traits, 10 such extent as to SCI
>, to transfer their effect to the expressi
~ of the features, so as to produce p
0s manent feeling Of pleasure, thus est'
nd fishing their title to uncontrc vertable bel
H. ty.
ho But 10 constitute an absolute claim
#. beauty in the female sex, (man is out
70 the question: there should be a regu
"a contour of form, pleasing cast Of 4
. lures, intelligent expression Of eye wi
out regard to color, ease in motion wi
-; out afrectstion, intelligence, not Of
~ Aimsy kind, sweetness Of disposit
~ and a manifestation of intellect in c.
We versation. II would seem to be hard
10 find a combination OF these qualltI
aid but we believe that, although perfect
20 cannot be found, there are many amo
md our county women will come up to
his high idea Of beauty, and many, no 90
|., Of other countries. But as we have $;
a. these perlections are not absolutely q