The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1871-10-26
Influence of Enthusiasm Upon
Happiness.

Happiness.
Translated from the French OF Madam,
dc Stnl.
Happiness! | have turned away from
this word with an extreme care, bccw,s,
since near 4 century above all things it la,
been ranked with pleasures 50 gross, L liz,
so selfish, calculations so narrow. that the
image oft cyer is proiancd. But one can
say, however, with confidence, enthusiasm
is of all sentiments that one which gives
most happiness, the only one which gives
it truly, the only one which teaches us to
bear human destiny in all the conditions
where fate can place us.
In vain one wishes TO reduce oneself
to material cnjoymcnts, yet the soul re.
asserts Itself; pride, ambition, s~clf-loye,
all that l. still Of the soul. although an en-
poisoned breath IS blended there. What
miserable existence, however, that of
many men, cunning with themselves al
most aS much as with others, and repulsing
the generous emotions which spring up in
their hearts as Il malady of the imagina-
ton that the pure air should dissipatc!
What poor existence. likewise. that Of
many others who content themselves with
doing nothing evil, yet treat rs mental
alienation the source whence is derived
glorious deeds aud grand thoughts! They
encompass themselves by vanity in Il tc-
naclous mediocri.y in order that they may
be able TO render themselves unapproacll-
able to the light without; they condemn
themselves to this mcdiocrity of ideas, to
this GOODNESS Of sentiment. which allows
them to pass days without gathering either
fruits, improvement or remembranceS I;
and if time furrOw not their features, what
traces have they preserved Of his passage?
We're it unnecessary to grow old and die,
what serious reflection ever would enter
their minds?
Some reasoners pretend that enthusiasm
disguSts with common life. and that, being
unable TO remain always in this frame of
mind, it is better never to experience it;
and why then have they accepted being
young, Of living even, since that cannot
last always? Why then have they loved,
supposing that 10 them it should ever
come. since death will be able to separate
them from the objects of their affection?
What sad economy that of the soul lit has
been given us TO be developed, improved,
lavishcd even in a noble end.
The more one benunbs the spirit the
nearer one draws to material existence,
and the more one diminisllcs, so it is said,
the power to suffer. This argument de-
ludes Il great number of men. 1t consists IN
.cndeavoring to live the least possible.
However, there is in degradation always
an aillictlon which one does not render in
the account, and which pursucs without
in secret; the tcdiomess. shame
and WEAKNESS which it occasions are re-
clad with forms OF impertinence and dis
dain by vanity; but it is very rare that
one settles oneself in peace in this manner
to be restrained and limited, and left with
out resource within when external pros
perity iorsakcs Us. Man has consciousness
Of the beautiful as Of the good, and the
privation of the one brings him to feel
emptiness, and deviation from The other,
Enthusiasm is accused of being tram
5ient; life would be too happy ifone could
retain emotion 50 beautiful, but it is be-
cause they are so easily d~issipatcd, that it
IS necessary to employ oneself in preserv-
ne them. pocsy and the fine arts serve to
in man this happiness of making
lluStrious his origin, which raises again
hearts cast down, and puts in the place of
iatiety of life the constant sentiment of
livIne harmony, (which we and nature
make parts. There is no duty, no pleasure,
10 sentiment which borrows not from Ell
husiasm, | know not what fascination, in
.ccord with the pure charm oftruth.
IT enthusiasm %cnervates the soul with
lappincSS, by Il peculiar cnchantmcnt it
still under misfortune. 1t leaves
.ttcr it | know not what trace harmonious
nd deep, which permits not eyen absence
o cilace us from the hearts of our friends.
{ serves us also rs refuge against afllic-
ions the most bitter, and is the only SEN
imcnt which can calm without chilling.
Oe,------