Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-07-10
THE GAZETTE.
TIE EFFECTS OF al THORStilP On
THE MIND AND HAPPINESS.
SATURDAY MORNING, JULY 10. 1883

THE EFFECTS OF AL THORSHlP On
THE MIND AND HAPPINESS.
Two of the most remarkable and unexpec-
ted suicides OF modern times have been CON-
mitted by literary men, in the foil blast Of
mental occupation. We Allude to the extra
ordinary deaths Of Hugh Miller and Henry
w. Herbert. 10 some respects there was
great contrast between the two men. The
FIRST uas emphancaily and emiDentiy re!-
gious man. 10 fact it was an over-earnest
desire to vindicate what he considered some
of the reconciiing truths between the Book
of Genesis ard Geology that, finally, having
overtasked bis mental energies, drove hun TO
that horror Of great darkoe-s which utterly
deihroned his reason, and led him 70 that act
which was without any outward cause, and
abhorrens to ali bis most settled principles.
In the other case there were several out
ward circumstances to help to account for the
deed. But when il is remembered that Mr..
Herbert speaks Of himsefas one OF the most
wretched Of men, as being for twenty-siz
years without friends, or fortune, or country,
there is plenty Of evidence TO show that nor-
bidly sensitive and wretched state Of mind
underlying all, and producing DOW hercp!ean
fests Of mental labor, aud now that utter re-
Taxation and want of nerve and faith TO meet
emergencies, wbich is, as We apprehend, the
really greatest Of ell dangers arising from
literary life.
The two gentlemen whose names we have
mentioned we're also from opposite walks Of
life BY birth aud early educauon-Hrgh Mil
Ter, a s:one-cut,er, barely taught to read;
Herbert, the son Of literary clergyman, a
Dean and Right Honorable, in whose veins
flowed the blood OF Percy and Pembroke
He himself was q graduate OF E,on and OF
Cambridge, with every advantage that birth
and the best education could best0w. Yet
here their situations were more apparently
than really dissimilar, for Hugh Miller be
came dist guished on the stones Of the held
as Herbert on ancient learning, history, and
those fashionable field sports IN which the ar
istocracy of Eugland delight.
But in other respects there was strong
similarity 10 these men, both 10 the circum'
stances Of their lives and Of their DEATHS
Both were voluminous authors-nos mere
copyists and compilers of other mems ideas,
but writer's Of original and strong thoughts,
highest qualities of vigorous mental force
and Imagination. Most Of their works were
what the farmers would call scourgi"g crop,
exhaustive in the highest degree Of the mind,
and written with great energy and beauty
of style Both were men Of an originally
fine and manly constitution. We windy re-
member the remarkably we'll built and man
" form Of Henry W. Herbert, as he leaped
from the box-sest Of O s,age-coach TO present
q letter of introduction to near relative and
friend. He was then about thirty, just about
70 be married to his FIRST wife, a lady of the
highest responsibility and connexions, in high
spirits, and with q manliness, frabkness, and
eeutleness of address that through It's great
simplicity and ease, would have won him co.
trance any where.
Both we're singularly fond Of playing with
all sorts Of deadly weapons. good shots With
a pistol, aud inclined TO keep such dangerous
tools close about them. Both had overwork'
ed themselves by excessive fits Of writing, un'
til depression of spirits seems TO bave sue
ceeded, bringing upon them frenzy Of des'
peration aud despair.
Both wrote letters showing that the act
was in one sense preneditated, While both hy
their last writings showed that intense pres
ent suffering robbed then Of the sustaining
sense Of the future, without beclouding their
intellectual consciousness OF il. And both,
at abou. the same hour 10 tie night, aud al
most precisely the same way, terminated
their existence.
The occasions of most apparent causes Tor
such acts are not always the most real caus-
es. Other things may have operated aud dId
operate beyond doubt 10 this last case; tu;
the utter exhaustion arising from over N en-
tai effort in imaginary and intellectual ct
forts, leaving the will too powerless aud ex-
hausted to contend with the difficulties OF
simple existence 10 real life, was one great
caose lying at the bottom of both acts. Ii
was the only cause in Hugh Miller's case.
The literary mao lives in an ideal world
q most unnatural life. Give him bis garnet,
his inkstand, and bis book, and he has a
world within himself, world Of delight 10
which he can escape all calamity for the
time being. But, when utterly exhausted
With this life, he awakes to the body, and
finds trouble On every side from little Leg-
lects, or whims, or errors. His mental pow
or being all exhausted. be readily sinks into
despair. His faith in every thing, except
some one present and pressing, sometimes
quite imaginary. is gone.
10 Hugh Miller's case, it might be said,
and was said, "See the effect of being over
much righteous. Had he oply relaxed, and
hunted, and sported, and taken violent fits
Of exercise to atone to bis body for those Of
mental work, all had been well. Had he on
" eaten more, and drank more freely and
mirthfully. it bad not been thus" This could
no, be said in the latter case. The relaxation
was as extreme aud exhaustive as the mental
work. But both, in different ways, failed to
seek or to obtain that quietude which gent
~ relaxing life would have given. Could
both have lived more Immediately in COM
munion with wife and children, on quiet
farm, both might have worked as bard and
been alive now and Philadelphia
Ledger.
w ANTED TO HIRE in gentleman's
w family, residing in the country, two
miles from the city OF Washington, an honest
industrious WOMAN, 10 perform the duties OF