The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1873-09-14

plant,n continued Siegwart. Every plant In
its own peculiar life this s observe every day
soil. They only flourish where they find tn
necessary conditions for their peculiar life
where they find in the air and earth the condi
tious necessary for their existence. Set to,
different kinds of plants together in a smal
plat of ground. The different fbres will oil
| ways GEEK and absorb only that material il
will pass by the useless and injurious sub
stances. Now where is the chemist who, will
such certainty, such power Of discrimination
aud knowledge of substances, can select from
with such knowledge docs not exist. Now
must you admit that the fibres possess as keeu
an understanding and as deep a knowledge o.
chemistry as the MAJ who is versed in chemis
try, e,,
"Wen," concluded Siegwart quietly, il the
vine weevil wcaves Its wrapper, the spider it:
| web, che bird builds it's nest, and the beaver
his house, they all do it in their way, as the
| root -fbres in theirs"
Richard remained silent, and they passed
! into the house.
Angela and her mother looked with astonish
ment and sympathy on their friend.
Soon in the mild countenauce of Madame
Siegwart there appeared nearly the same ex,
Eliza-so much did the painful appearance of
the young man afflct her. Angela turned pale,
her eyes filled, and she strove TO hide her emo
ton. Frank only looked at her furtively.
4
averted eyes. Siegwart expended all his pow
ers of amusement, but he did not succeed in
cheering the young. man. He continued de-
pressed, embarrassed and sad, and constantly
avoided looking at Angela. When he spoke he
listened to the sound of her voice, but avoided
her look. Presently low barking was
| heard in the room and Hector, who had srowl-
| iDgly received Frank ct his first visit, but who
in time had become an acquaintance of his, lay
stretched at full length, dreaming. Scarcely
did Richard notice the dreaming animal when
he exclaimed:
"1he dog dreams! See how his feet move in
I the chase, how he opens his nostrils, how he
barks, how his limbs reach for the game! The
dog dreams he is in the chase."
have often observed IIector's Dreams"
said Siegwart coolly.
Prank continued:
" Have you considered the consequences that
| follow from the dreams of u dog Dreams
show thinking faculty." said he hastily
Animals, then, think like men thoughts are
the children of the mind therefore. animals
have minds. Animals and men are alike"
Angela started at these words. Her mother
| shook her head.
You conclude too hastily, my dear friend"
said siegwart, coolly: You must first kno,c
th&t animals dream like men. Men think, re-
fleet and speak in dreams. The dreams of ami
mails are very different from those mental
acts"
How will you e1pl,in it," said Richard,
excitedly.
Very easily. Hector is now in the chase.
The dog's sense of smell is remarkable. BY
means of the fragrant wind Hector smells the
cartridges miles away. He acts then just
in the dream feet, nose and limbs come into
activity. Suppose that in the surrounding
fields there is a covey of partridges The air
would indicate them to Hector's smelling
organs; these organs act, as in the waking
state, on the brain of the animal; the brain
acts on the other organs. Where is there
thnught Have we not a purely material
effeGtf The cough, the appetite, the aversion
what have all these to no with p,ind or
thought Nothing at all. The dream of the
dog ia on entirely muscular process, the mere
CO working of the muscular organs; as with
twitching of the muscles-facts with which
the mind has nothing to do"
Your assertion is based on the assumption
that cartridges are near" said Richard "and
will be obliged to you if, with Hector's as
sistanee, you convince me of this fact"
That is unnecessary, my dear friend. Sup
pose the ere, arc no Partridges in the neighbor-
hood. The same affection of the brain which
ridges could be produced by accident. If it is
accidental, it will have the same effect in the
sleeping condition of the dog Affections &C.
c'dentaliy arise in man the causes of which are
not known. We are pDeasy, We know NOT
why; we are discouraged without any know.
ledge OF the cause. We are joyful without
oe'ng able to give any reason for it. The mind
can rise above all these dlspositiops aff.ctions
anu hamofs; can govern, cast out disperse
them Proof en"ugh that king lives in man
the breath of God, which is not taken from
tHe o1rtE, anu 10 winch AL matter must WELD
If that power So wills"
TIE dog stretched his strong legs without
any ldoa Of the important question to which
he had given occasion.
Herr Frank" began Madam Stewart ear
nestly, - have learned to respect you, and |
nave often wished that my son. at your yeaIs |
would be like you. l see now, with painfnI |
astonishment, that you defend opinions which
contradics your former expressions, and tie
sentiments we must expect from a Christion
WA you now be so good as to tell mo ho W Won
nave so suddenly changed your viewsf"
Esteemed madam" answered Frank with
emotion, 81 thank you for this undeseryed
ino,therly sympathy; but beg of you not to
SeneVe That the opinions I expressed are nv
urn CONVICTIONS. NJ, have not yet fallen SO
deep that for me there is no difference between
man and beast. can yet coutinue to believe
that hateriatism is o crime against mankind |
On the other hand, frt ely acknowledge that
my mind Is in great trouble; that every firm
position beneath my feet totters; that have
neen tempted to hold doctrines degrading to
the man and destructive to society. l have
neen brought into this difficulty by reading
DOCKS whose seductive proofs am not able to
retute. Oh! am miserable, very miseraIleI |
my appearance must have shown you that al.
ready" w 'n~' III
He looked involuutarily at Amelia. be s,v
tears IN her eyes; he bowed his head and was
silent. o"u "Nu WAS
see your difficulties" said the pronrietor
1hey enter carly or late into the mind of
avery man. 1t is good, in such uncert ain tiea
lao,