American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1872-03-16
Blushing.

Can it be prevented? Why do the young
blush more readily than the old?
In answer to these questions, science
comes to our aid and informs us that this
sudden rcddening of the face is due to a
rush of blood into the capillaries of the
skin. The influence of nervous condi-
tions is strikingly exhibited by this phe-
nomenon, the circulation of the blood, or
rather the action of the heart being re-
sponsive to those emotions and passions
which have immediate relation to the
brain and nervous system.
There is marked difference among in
dividuals in respect to blushing. One
who is very sensitive to praise or blame
has large veneratiOn, appropriateness, and
conscientiousness-bl on the slight
est occasion; while one with those organs
small will be comparatively Indifferent to
either-will not be moved by censure or
by applause, by the powers on earth or in
heaven. A vivid consciousness of ones
poverty or ignorance, or other imperfec
humility, and this causes one to
blush. Large self esteem, with intellect,
culture, and competence, gives assurance,
makes one feel always at home where
ever he may happen to be, and this puts
one above or beyond the disposition to
blush. The old saying that "a guilty con-
science needs no accuser," is based on
it in his face; and a young rogue, when
confronted with his wrongdoing, will
usually blush just in proportion to his
sensitiveness and his consciousness of
guilt.
The fact that one cannot overcome his
difficulty and look friend or foe in the
face, is no evidence of sin and wicked
ness, as some suppose. On the contrary,
it is often the case that the most innocent
To- f,,1 FL q nx-f
to impossible for them to look even an
inferior squarely and steadily in the eye.
He soon falters and assumes a downcast
look in keeping with his modest and SEN
stive nature Self-confidence, for the
diffident, may be acquired, and though
one would almost sink in his shoes the
first time when he appears to speak be-
overcome his timidity, or platform
fever" as it is called, and when used to
it, enjoy the slight agitation as a mental
luxury. At first he will be sutfused with
bushes, and his mind will be somewhat
bewildered; soon, however, equilibrium
takes place, and Orchard is himself
again"
The temperament, also, has much to do
with our blushing. A nervous, sasguine
temperament is much more susceptible
than the lymphatic or bilious, and
blonde than a brunette. The African,
the Asiatic, and the North American In
dian may feel blush, though-owing to
the color of his skin-he may not shoe 1t.
One cause of blushing, on the part of
some children, is produced by the mode
of government adopted by inconsiderate
parents and impatient teachers. Instead
of mild measures they resort to the most
severe, namely, to that of shdnlfng them.
g oh. you little duncer' or, You block
head, did you not know better than that"
If the child really believes the parent or
teacher, it will have very i'll opinion OF
itself, and sink into feeling of total I'M
worthininess. What else but look of
humiliation and self-contempt can be eX-
pected in the face of one so treated? The
parent or the children may beget, in the
minds of children, all the rudiments of
dignity, manliness, and so much real no.
bility of sentiment and soul that he
would be above doing a mean act, how
ever sorely tempted.
Prereation. As in the effort to reclaim
the inebrate, we must look to the awak-
ened moral sentiments, and come
under such influences as we know
to be right, if We would overcome
any mental or physical infrmlty IKE mat
of stammering or of blushing We must
he careful to do just right between one
and another, and between ourselves and
our Creator Then, with a conscience
void of ofiense, and a heart and will III
perfect accord with the will of God-do-
ing His service and asking His blessing
or all we dove shall suffer no more
from the smiles or frowns of others, nor
be crucitied by that crushing feeling OF
unworthiness which causes weak, scnsi-
tive, and bashful persons to become over
red in the face from natural or induced
tendency to painful blushing. -Ihreno-
logical journal.