New-York tribune., 1884-02-17

it down when his wOrn-Out organism was nc
longer capable of obeying his ndonltabie
soul.
Here, then j, n wcn-attested case in which
the continuance of vital action is perforcc
ascTibed to the influence of that intangible
entity called the mind, whose separate exist
cnce some modern scientists affect to doubt
The natural consequence Of the pathological
conditions set up in his body would have been,
first, Interpretation for work, and, second,
death. But he was not ready to die, or to cease
working and his resoiute will proved stronger
than the destructive agencies of disease. He
triumphed over the frailties of the body. His
mind rose superior to the adverse accidents OF
its incarnation. The matc1ialist will not find
it easy to demonstrate that in this case that
which frustrated the normal effects of wasting
disease was merely the reaction OF a physical
organ. And cases of this kind are by no means
uncommon, though they are not sufficiently
noted when they occur Again and again has
the bulnan mind proved its sovereignty over
the body. The dying Marshal SAKE,
when he caused himself to be carried
into battle in his litter, exercised this
high prcroeatiye. He would not die until the
battle was won, and he did not. Sir Walter Scott,
debating his wonderful romances in the inter
vais of parOXysms of pain, is another familiar
illustration. Heine, stretched cOrpse-lke upon
his mattress, yet pouring forth lambent flashes
of that pathetic, cynical wit which has so strong
a charm for those who see beneath its surface
was also one of the body -cOnquerOrs. Cardinal
Richelieu, with the sweat of physical agony
running down his face, dictated dispatches
which influenced Inc destinies Of Europe.
History is indeed full OF these examples, and
modern life abOunds with them. How often
has the inspiration of duty been a means Of
overcoming sickness and pain and grief and IA
tigue. Browning picture ofthe drummer boy at
Ratisbon, who, though mOrtally wounded, re-
tanned life by sheer will force until he had
announced the capture of the place to his En-
peror, is assuredly not a mere fable. Given the
occasion and the need, and the human mind Will
rise superior to anything short of death itself,
and will even hold that at bay un,il its pur-
pose is accomplished. And it is further to be
observed that in these cases the quality of the
work done by the mind is often not impaired
by the physical disabilities it surmoInts. Mr.
Green's historical writings are fully infOrmC d
with intellectual yigor and acutcness. The
mental action has been carried on not only de-
spite the adverse physical conditions, but as
though those adverse conditions had not ex
sted. There could not be any stronger or
clearer proof of the separate existence Of the
mind than this For such coEqucsts over dis
qualifying conditions are the triumphs Of o
principal over its defective agent and this fact
stands ont with unmistakable prominence in all
such cases.
In an age when introspcction IS 50 much the
fashion il is somewhat remarkable that more
attention has not been paid to this important
and suggestive line Of phenomena. We can do
40 more than indicate the more pregnant pha rs
Of it, but it is subject which deserves to be
studied with far more thorouglncss and full
ness than can be attained in ,hc course Of
Journalistic discussion