Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1871-07-01
rHE 1nAerNAr1oN.

md straightway we espouse 1t with
zeal. and proclaim It with vehemence,
in our enthusiasm that truth
S many-sided, and that we only really
,pprehend it in proportion as we re-
all its phases. We find this
,xemplifled In the opposite and ex-
RENE views entertained Of the faculty
Of imagination. Some are loud In Its
condemnation, declaring that to In
1ulge It only wastes the time, weakens
The mind, and units us for the pnctl-
cal duties Of life while others allow it
TO obtain a complete ascendancy over
them, yielding TO Its sway, and resent
Ing any attempt to dethrone 1t from
the high place they have awarded it.
The adherents Of each extreme seeing
the fallacy Of the opposite one, become
moro strengthened in their own, and
they thus pull In opposite directions,
and lose the truth In their loyalty TO
Its fragments. The different degrees
in which the faculty Of imagination Is
possessed, and the different objects
upon which It Is exercised, are In them
selves the causes of much Of the variety
existing in human character. The
we have for Others will be
greatly measured by our power Of i'm
agining their circumstances and feel
ings. What Il actually seen, whether
of sorrow or JOY, Is only a 1.-THE Of what
exists, and what a quick Imagination
will speedily portray. 1t gives us u
double share In the prosperity and hap
piness of our friends by enabling US to
picture out the details and In the
same way it excltes and increases our
sympathy with the troubles that they
endure. Much Of the GOODNESS and In
difference we see In the world may
proceed from the lack Of imagination.
The facts of our own circumstances
and those Of our nearest friends, as
well US the emotions to which they
give rise, are fully comprehended and
felt ; while in the case of those further
removed this Is impossible, unless the
power OF Imagination come In to sup
ply the lack of knowledge. The be-
nevolent principles of our nature often
slumber for the want of a vivid imagl-
nation to arouse them to action. In
the same way this faculty may be the
handmade of every virtue. Justice and
mercy, courage aud f%orbearance, self
denial and patience may all be
strengthened by the imaginative power
which creates in the mind representa-
tions of the beauty and harmony that
proceeds from these qualities. In order
that this shall be the result, 1t Is not
only necessary to possess this faculty,
but also to control 1t. There are some
who from natural bias, or habits Of Sc
clusion, or lack Of practical interest in
the work Of life, suffer their lmagina-
lions to run riot In their minds, and
leave their conduct wholly under Its
guidance. Such persons are continu'
ally misled by their own enthusiasm
They cannot judge with GOODNESS and
accuracy concerning the circumstance:
by which they are surrounded they
act rather with reference to an imagi
nary situation than to their real condi'
ton, and what seems to them wise ant
consistent Is often foolish and ill-ad'
vised. Their taste will perhaps be
come so fastidious as to be unsuited t
all real life, and their habits formet
from a highly INDUCED fancy, rathe'
than from wisdom and experience, will
disqualify them for the position ant
duties that await them. The continue
and indiscriminate indulgence in ex
citing fictitious literature will Away
produce some such result as this. IL
the young and susceptible mind, fire.
quently excited by perusing tales o
romantic distress and hair-breadth es
capes, real life becomes tame and In
sipid, character Is judged from a false
standard, and disappointment and en-
nui are the unfailing results. The
beneficial effect Of the imagination
upon character and happiness must
ever depend upon its union with prac'
teal action. All passive impressions
grow weaker by repetition, while prac'
teal habits strengthen by every sue
cessive recurrence. The pleasures o.
sensual Indulgence diminish, but the
habits strengthen with every repeti'
ton. The excitement Of fear from
danger lessons each time the danger
occurs, but the habits Of caution or
courage r fostered in the same ratio.
So when the imagination Is excited to
sympathy with sorrow, 20 Indignation
with injustice, to admiration at hero
ism or self-denial, IL the emotion be
not followed up by corresponding acts
of beaevolence or justice, or self.sacri-
flee, the effect on the character Is inju.
rious. The emotions grow weaker by
their own law, and il they have not
succeeded in strengthening habits Of
virtue, they have failed Of their pur-
pose, and have lowered the moral ma
ture. The ~sensibility which has its
source In Imagination, may be made
the means Of improving our character
by melting us to worthy ~endeavor, but
If 1t also hive Its end in Imagination !;
il 1t lead to virtuous effort, then 1t Is
only a selfish and embedding luxury.
Let US then ever recognize the true
value and office of imagination. 1t Is
n Of the great springs Of our activity
and the means Of our improvement.
1t enables Us to create aft ideal Of