Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-03-21
observations Of a Philosophical Frient
of Ours.)


observations OF a Philosophical Friend
of Ours)
It Is true that the actual link that con-
meets man and the lower animals is still
missing. But all Of us have seen faces.
or pictures OF them, so british. savage,
and degraded that we could hardly say
what was tho difference between them
and the real brute beasts. Moreover,
there are unmistakable points Of re-
semblance in tho physiognomy and per-
sonal characteristics OF some people
that irresstibly suggest a relationship
something less than human. The crew
Of Comus is represented as bearing
the faces Of all lower creaturesi and
Shakespeare to the contrary notwith-
standing, there is an art to find the
minds construction. not only in the face,
but in every part OF man.
The great poet says that the Cup Of
Gree,
1.-THE image quite transforms OF him
that drinks,
And tn inglorious image OF a beast
Fixes instead"
Which 10 not only true OF the hopeless
inebriate. but Of the victim OF every
gross vice.
The countenance records and re-
ports the grand or terrible re-
suit OF the conflict that takes place I'm
every man between the flesh and the
spirit; that establishes him as devil or
man. And the mark Of the beast" has
many ways of manifesting itself--in
infinite variety OF expression. Dr. Fell
repels, and may be no one can say ex-
act.y why. A long way this side Of abb
solute depravity and the final brand Of
thea abandoned, the little outgiyings of
wasting character and mind show them
selves. Only the mass and multitude,
all alike or so near akin, observe no
thing to alarm them; they are up 10
the average, follow the fashion, and con-
form TO the world. One OF the rabble is
not likely to cry out, "Odi profanum
vulgusl They are content; good fell
lows. But society has its grades and
charmed circles. And each grade and
circle has its standard and accepted
form; and the sinner against them is
accommodated and let go. The Of
fender shows the mark OF the beast OF
vulgarity upon him. No writ is issued; no
court is held; no arrests are made; but
decent society merely turns away its
countenance from him, and the culprit
sinks by his own weight, or joins the
throng on the broad and hopeless road;
he perishes socially; he IS a leper. When
the judicial carmine Of character is kept
pure and clear and white, instinct keeps
it out Of tho company that de-
files and bespots. Birds OF a fea-
Their flock together; Ike will TO like,
and opposltes will repel one another.
The thousandfold marks OF the beast be-
speak his proprietorship. Decent and
well-disposed people don't care to define
or catalogue them. Only I'm the presence
Of the one or many OF the filthy, they
say to their souls: Come not thou into
their secret, unto their assembly. o,
mine honor, be not thou united. They
prefer not to go with that sort: simply
withdraw. Low grades impart their
flavor; impose their language and tones;
impress their air and manner; give their
passwords and forms OF expression, and
fix upon the countenance their image and
superscription; and the well-bred and
weE-informed quietly assign them 10
their places Social gravity and affinity
settles and fixes MS where we belong.
All that is wanted Is little patience.
The course OF time Is the great separator.
While the stream flows, the big rocks,
the Gravel, the sand, the mud. each
IN it's time and place drops to the bot
TOM settles down In IT'S abode. and pres
emily only the clear water moves on,
bright, through and through, with the
suns light.
The evolution of principles and motives
Is a law. Mean motives and bad prin-
ciples. as seeds OF evil and roots of Bit
terness, evolve, expand, flourish, pervade.
and overspread character, and impart
their hue and shape and motion and
ugliness. They appear In every feature
IN the step. In the glance OF the eye. the
tones OF the voice, the contour OF the
body. the gait, and in every movement
in Incidental words their charm.
Nature will not be covered up nor mis-
The patch proclaims tho
defect. Ugliness holds its own. and
works It's way all over. There Is no.
thing covered that shall not be revealed.
nor mid that shall not be known. Times
glory is
''To unmask falsehood. and bring truth
TO light"
II Is TO hasten things 10 their maturity,
and make the reality outgrow all dis
guises; to bring everything TO its day OF
Judgment, absolutely. as 1t Is. In the
broad tight OF open day.
IL is a frightful thing 10 think TO what
deformity and monstroslty. ugly thoughts.
ugly feelings. ugly passions. ugly habits Of