Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-08-25
Elts OF the Rlues.
THE GROWTH or sELFisHNRsS-wHY II SHOULD BI
STRUGGLED AGAINST AND BAxIsHKD

THE GROWTH or SELFf0HNRSS-wHY n sHouIp m
STRUGGLED AGAINST AND BANrsHKp.
There is mental condition, says the London
Queen, with which we all become acquainted
some time or other during our existence, which Is
neither eaaui discomfort, temper nor disappoln,.
ment, but simply sheer depression Of spirit; and,
as rule we cannot altogether account for It even
TO ourselves-lt Is inexpllcabe to us but the fact
OF us presence Is unaenaole and IL may be defined
as temporary , mental and physical collapse.
6efre. and be attributable In the FORTY OF cases
TO overwork OF various kinds worry or anxiety,
preston Is somewhat different; it is insidious In
character, while its origin Is doubtful and some
times unknown; II varies In degree from a sense OF
And in severe cases, even when they are only OF
brief duration, the amount OF despondency Is so
snd Wss 10 IN easy r
preference TO the distorted and gloomy views OF
life which are engendered by depression when 1t Is
fact about this is that In the case OF pure depres
sion the SURROUNDINGS are not alwaysenectual asa
Sura alive, For instance ones dearest Trend may
Is only by a strong effort that q semblance OF
cheerfulness Is obtainaple, though II similarly
pleasure would be felt People say the exercise OF
a rigid self-controi would prevent, or, at least,
greatly ameliorate depression; but 1t would surely
lively and laxative in the society OF Others and
stu the feeling OF utter dependency will conquer
for the time.
The query naturally comes: Why should per-
son De causelessly depressed TO this extent? Well
the chain OF evidence betwe n cause and effect is
would be conducive to depression-so would great
monotony or relaxing neighborhood-any OF
these three condition would. In time, bring things
the ''cerulean demons" Gan euphemism TOR o we'll
worn slang signation) is certainly trying to the
the INDIVIDUAL Imagine a morbid state or mind
during watch all desires have temporarily ned ana
are replaced by complete mental exhaustion and
0iSlncilnatl0n for either work or pleasure.
When one feels convinced OF ones personal USE
1esSness anfinreriorty to ones Contemporaries and
associates conviction increased by retrospectlon,
Then repentance and good resolutions both vanish,
the former seems unavaillng, the latter appear
futile; and one concludes that lie 10 general is
mi take, and ones own In particular miserable
failure. Tue fore going paragraphs are an epltom-
lied description OF the elings people are Liable TO
when suffering Trom depression. or course there
are degrees OF dependency, and In the milder
forms Of commencement it Is not very dlffculJ to
dSspate IL. The study Of sell, II pursued con
anore, Is apt TO become TOO engrosslng (Atogether
II may b neither amusing nor proni abe), besideS
right seiishnesS.
This is accomplished by self-indulgence to an ex-
tent which mls ht In measure justify the melan-
cnoly thoughts referred TO above SelfShnesS is OF
RAPID growth, aud, uLless kept In subIection, be-
comes permanent, and It really does not answer.
LOOK around on the most popular people OF ones
acqualnt tnce. and IL Will be seen that the most
worthy or affection and respect are those who
being OF others more than their own. such per-
sons are not usually abducted TO depression; tney
are 100 much engrosSed with their associates to
give time OF Thought TO moods and feelings; con-
sequently they are generally cheerful, and at least
cnaracterized oy moderately good spirits.
lie moral 10 be adIuced Is that selfishneSs Is q
mistake. Tor II grows on viii increasing years.
and Is Therefore 70 be avoided and struggled
against; while the more we occupy our minus and
the faculties OF brain and body the less We shall
suner from depression OF spirits (unless from
physlcai CAUSES or trouole), which are fed by want
oI moral control and absence or congen1al society
or empiOym nt