Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1867-01-24
rHE pass1oNs.-B5 J. 3. Johnson.


- onr contemplation are distributed into three
kingdoms, the Animal, the Vegetable and the
Mineral. While it is not always easy to assign
tho lines of demarcation which separate these
KINGDOMS, there is no perplexity in placing
man, first on the list of the one to which he
belongs. This is his moral position; and he
occupies this place OF supremacy in consequence
of possessing attributes which are not enjoyed
by any other animal. These attributes are
compreheuded in the term human and while
man can descend to the level Of brutes, brutes
can never divest themselves of their character
istics, and ascend to his level This particular
entities him to the claim of being a superior
animal, and accords the advantages which he
evincss over animate and inanimate creation.
Brutes are controlled by instinct ana memory.
Man not only by instinct and memory, but by
reason; and this, expresses in its comprehen-
sive sound, the superiority which he holds
over the beasts Of the field, the fishes of the
sea, and the birds Of the air Reason is his
boast and it is this ray Of light from the Ell
fulgence Of the great eternal, that makes man
the being that he Is and as>imiiates him to the
God who formed him Hence, in comparison
with other animals, nan is worthy OF the best
care, and the nobleSt preservation. AROUND
Kim are the substantial tolls OF existence, and
befs,re him, the spell of an underlined future
Each breath shortens his tenure upon earth
and every. act which he performs, becomes the
annalist Of what he has done, and the index OF
that which he vii! be likely to do He commits
no act By chance; and all his movements arc
dictated by motives that are the di, ect issue OF
inherent or extraneous agents, which make
their i'm pres>ions in accordance with the tone
of the desire to be subServed, and the Passion
70 be obeyed
The passions are instructive; and can be
increased or diminished by education, but can
never be so subdued as to be inactive. Their
preseuce is necessary to conduct the operations
of the-niiad and 10 direct the motions OF the
body; aud they support the >aa,p characteristics
in every human being Their Sameness, clear
ness and strength, render II an impossible ia k
to fUllnw theu TO any ether source than that
an innate oac, and demonstrate beyond per
adventure the coctanecusness of them with
the human speries They stand in the same
relation to the brain, that the senses do TO the
body; aud frequently act 10 matters ofpleaSure
or of pain. in obedience TO the senses Many
disuuisitions have been produced in regard to
the origin and number Of hem; and some
authors describe ten :nafsions, five grateful and
FIVE ungrateful but from a rigorous luvestlga
ton, it will be found that very likely, their
number is but five; for this nulnier strictly
h4rmonizes with that of the senses; and the
reciprocal action which is ever found to exist
between the passions and the seuses, invites
the conclusion that each sense has its passion
10 enforce is commands and attain its objects.
Love, Hope, Fear, Grief and Hatred, are, in
alhkelihood, all,tEe Passions. They II reIy act
separately, but most generally conjointy; and
when they act IN combination with each other,
that multitude OF emotions and affections is
ELECTED Which constitutes human nature. The
affections are the result Of association ; and are
the issue Of the process which is superinduced
by the i'm pressions which the senses make upon
the mind, and which are necessary 10 protect
the boiy in the enjoyment Of ease, or in the
prevention of pain Hence, the Senses, the
Passions, the Emotions and the Affections are
engaged in every act. The senses communicate
10 the brain, their demands, and excite the
passions The emotions are the visible effects
of the passions, and the affections are those
feelings which inspire the whole pomer, mental
aud physical, to possess orrepel an objecr, and
are augmented or diminished by the degree to
which reason has been cultivated.
Man cannot avoid the passions if he make
the utmost effort to do 50. They are just as
inevitable as thought. If he were not directed
mere autonlaton, aud the victim OF every i'm
pulse There would always exist a void in his
heart, were it not filed by beings Il their crea-
ton and were it not for their potency, he
would have nothing superior in his intercourse
with his kind, to that which marks he relation
Of the brutes 1t is therefore, their abuse that
is reprehensible, and not their judicious use
for rea sonsble exercise OF the passions ensures
not only the enjoyment OF the good Of life, but
secures the possession OF it.
When the action of the Senses puts the Fas,
sions in operation, the physical effect which is
produced, is too apparent to be mistaken
When the mind is pleasantly affected: the whole
aniaal economy expands under It's Influence
The brow broaaens, the nostrils dlate the lips
part in graceful ease. and every feature bright
ems with a smile. The respiration IS light and
free, and the whole frame assumes the vigor OF
fresh life. The radiance OF the jocund glow
gives a joyous hue to every object, and
lies tolls seem but the wishes OF complacency.
But when the mind Is uupeasanc!y affected,
the opposite coalition is observed. The brow
is contracted, the Dostrils are pinchea, the lips
firmly set, and the features are pale. The eye
glare with intense flashes OF heated earnestness,
and the whole exterior is controlled by undis-
suised perturbation. The features wear a.
scowl, and are overshadowed by sullen ex-
preston that casts its sonbre shade upon all
Objects and renders them dark and repulsive.
The duties OF life are performed with irksomc-
ness, and the sweetest good of the world, is
careles>y mingled with its bitterest evil. Thus
the difference is well marked for habituai
good hunor brightsns the face with the glow
of sunbeam, enlivens the energies, and dis
poses to kind sentiments. 1t gives cheerful
NESS to every care Of life, and envelopes an IN
dividual il a bouyancy of disposition that
makes him appear as though be breathed an
atmosphere perpetua|ly tempered with the soft
ening Influence of flowers. Habitual ill-em-
per produces gloom, morosenesS and malicious
ness. 1t throws around an Individual the cast
OF darkness, and causes him 10 appear as though
chad teen continually subjected to an influence
and 10 feel towards his com panions, disregard