Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1871-12-19
VAGARIEs OF INTELLECT AND
FANCY.

While DR.. Crane and other learned gen.
tlemen are discussing questions most diff
hcult of solution it is well enough to adj
init that many very intelligent persons
believe firmly In presentiments, Fremont
tions, misgivings and other supposed
shsdowy tokens OF that which is TO come.
While It is true that these presentiments
are mers fantasies, and generally end in
nothing, like dreams that vanish when
sunlight Mumines the sky, we must still
admit that there are more things in
heaven and earth thsn Hamlet, in his half
wise and half insane philosophy, dreamed
OF, and that nervous and hne-strung
tsmperamsnts are apt to be beguiled by
these las they conceiYe) intuitive and YER
liable impressions which, like prophetic
uttersnces, warn Of evil and admonish Of
good. Let such consult the great lights
in medical science, the most real of fanci-
ful philosophers, and many 8 nightmare
will be dispersed, and common sense as
ssrt its high perogstive.
Superstition is a foe more terrible han
the Nemaan lion, and from its terrible
fsugs ignorance is not the only sufferer.
Minds otherwise full of native force and
great power OF analysis sometimes come
under its dominion. Many Of the great
German and English authors are and have
bsen deeply tinctured with vague and
i~nscrutable influence closely allied to su-
perstition. Both Lord Byron and Sir
Walter Scott ia their lifetime owned to
she fact, and any M who has read the
mystic poetry of Goethe does not need as
sursncs outside Of his " writings to
place him in the anne category. It is not
necessary to add to the list q host Of poets
and novslists, from Elizabeth Barrett and
the author Of - 9 Eyre" down to those
OF the living present.
It would almost seem a. If high intelli-
gence was near akin 70 madness. As 1t Is
said there Is but one step from he sub
lime to the Ridiculous, 20 we ind that the
abrupt descent from the heights of wis
dom TO the abyss Of folly sometimes
SHOCKS and amszes as by Its rspidity.
Nh is fslible, and in proportion to the
grandeur Of his mental oshbre viii he rise
from these mists with truth for his guide,
OF sink with superstition and false phi
lOsOphy for his instructors.
PFesentiments are sometimes sppsr-
emily fulnlled, but that is no reason why
any one should become their slave, or
meekly yield to those inner and unac-
countsble suggestions, which, with i'm
ssinstive and deeply reflective people,
ara sometimes % powerful. MystenOus
As our being is, we cannot by searching
discover those hidden sympsthies which
see TO link 1t TO another life, far less can
explain mental phenomensin their in
tnoate and curious de yelopments. As OPP
posed to that supetstition and gloom
which some persons declare they expert
ance when misfortune and trouble are in
the near future, we hear others assert that
elevation Of spirits and 8 bright sensation
of GOV are, with them, the certain pre-
eursors Of evil. One thing is, however
oertsin, the w~ell-bslsnced and conscien-
lions mind sets at defiance all such signs
and representations; which have simply
q tendency to shake our trust In the order
Of Providence,