The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-05-31
Ruminations.
BY Timothy TitcOmb.
CHAPTER ".
From the Springfield Republican.

1t seems to me, either that there is grea
deal of human nature in pig, or that ther
is a great deal of pig in human nature.
find myself always sympathizinS with a pi;
that wishes to 90 in an opposite direction t
that in which its owner would drive it. |
would be a sufficient reason for me to desire
to 90 eastward, that man was behind me
with an oath in his mouth and a very heay,
boot on his foot, endeavoring to drive m,
westward. We are jealous Of our freedom
We naturally rise in opposition to will tha,
undertakes to command our movements
This is not the result OF education at all il
is pure human nature. Command child
who shall be only old eno,gh to understand
you-to refrain from some special act; and
he will have, nine times in ten, no reason .or
his desire to DO it but your command that
he shall not. The Youngest human soul tha,
has a Will at all, takes the first occasion to
declare It's Independence.
Now, believe this principle in human na-
ture to be, in itself, good. 1t is that which
declares mans right to h!mseIf-that which
asserts personal liberty in thought. viii and
movement. believe it existed in Adam and
Eve, and that it is more than likely that the
tree Of knowledge of good and evil vas de-
spoiled because our beautiful great grand
mother, (tor whom | confess much sympathy
and at'tctlon,) WAS forbidden to touch it. |,
Is a principle which should ulway, be careful
y distinguished from peyyersencss, in all our
dealings with Young and old, and in all our
estimates Of human character. When a chile.
ohe!S man, or when one man obnvs 'anoth-
er, II should always be for good and sufficient
reason. Neither child nor man should be
expected to surrender his right to himself
without the presentation to him Of the proper
motive. When, Welding 70 this motive, the
soul consents TO be directed or led, it becomes
ob"d.clt. Compulsion may secure contor,ni-
''''''''''' II y "s " 'H't(' Or
''- - '''e u'Ie' '''H Of
al! other man, hat man is bound to prc.,n,
GA ~ '''.''' ''' '"' sun '.'. .'''
''t'o''S'"''''N
gives me- to myself and 10 man. parent
=, miami NIX ""'! o"e1''"'
without G.'!ns me the motive for obedience.
,.,,;.;.,,.... " Wv
,.,.. ,,l ,:.I',.. ''''''''' TX - per
os;. e..,,. $1,000 '',,'''So ~ S''"7
- talk IN ,h;s ,~,:nro '''' f''i''>
At starting, | must give perverseness a
somewhat broader meaning tnan that thus
far indicated. Twill say that nan is perycrse
VINO, from VANITY, or prGe Of opinion and
Will. or malice, or any mean consideration.
refuses to Ne.d his conduct and himself to
those motives ar. influences which his rea-
son and conscience recognize to be good and
pure ana true. In lis least aggravated form
perhaps, VT find i among lovers. Women
VIII sometimes pcF>isten;ly ignore passion
winch they hno" has aiken full possession
OF tilfm' and srIe'e the heart that loves them,
by 4 co.dneSs and indifference which they do
not feel at all. Rather than acknowledge
their affection ior one whose loss would Kill
them, or, what woull be the same thing. Kill
the ""r!'. tor them. they have lied, grown
>!cA, and gone nearly insane THIS is a per
VerScness very hard TO be understood, Vet it
IS Aot very uncommon. Some times lovers
nave been very tender and devoted so long
as doubt OF ultimate mutual uoSspsSiOn re-