The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-05

The study Of human nature is a fls-
ciustirg pursuit and neTer has it been
more generally carried on han today. The
novelist the poet the journalist the
scientist and psychologist, an cater in
.leir various ways to the desire Of man
TO kuow more about his fel,oN-bcings. The
unr1seling Of complicated motives for the
commission OF crime is an endlessly inter
CsIiug occupation 10 many people, and 10
others the relations OF human beings
drawn together through the emotions. APP
roals with greatest force. One class OF
Observers reads Ialice reports and sensa-
t5oral novels. ard the other is devoted 10
sentimental rcmancos in and oul OF real
life but IL is al part Of the same absorb
ing study Until very recently the
methods by which knowledge Of this sort
could De gained were decidedly unscieu-
-:fc snd the STUDENT had 20 depend large
ly On that mysterious power called intui-
ton and on his personal experience. The
scientific psychclogist IS new type OF
observer.
ore result Of The work OF this modern
student CT humanity is the discussion OF
The degenerate. One Of he things which
add 10 the interest. and also the danger,
Of such discussion is that it is apt to in
auence the actions Of those Who engage in
IT.. When the springs Of human action are
invest gated and the results OF such en-
uuiry published. there are always some
morbid people who are affected by them.
il they read about moral degennrstes. who
are mot responsible for criminal actions,
they are apt 10 fancy ina, they themselves
have some such immunity from RESPONSE
buitv. II this scientific Investigation is 90
be beneficial I'D the end 81 should be
qualified. FOR the use Of The public with
plain and easily understood common
sense.
Il should De explained ;hat though un-
doubleday. there are some unfortunate
people who through heredify. environ
ment. or other cause, are MOI wholly re-
suons.ble fer their actions such eases are
rare. When they exist they are apt 90
have characteristic 50 marked that they
can be easily detected. People afflicted
with moral insanity which leads them 10
commit crimes with no apparent comrunc-
ton should be treated either us criminals
or Iuralcs and nc, allowed % Doe at large.
Il they have on overmIz,ariug impulse to
Sc. Hre 10 buildings, or murder tha.r rela-
tiyas or DO other shocking aad dangerous
things. hey should De - confined tia.
such deeds viii be- impossible ID them.
There is no need TO treat them with cruel
~ or Judge them as criminals. But for
the protection of society they should be
kept where ,hcy can 30 no harm.
Moreover. it should b. thoroughly under
stood. especially by the young. that moral
dereuerscy IS sometimes ay1ii7tle. \
great deal Of uisl eduo-s which IS now
called by that convenient and ali-ambrlc-
ing phrase. emotional insanity is simply
the result Of uncontrolled brt not mcsn-
t.olIatla desires. Everyone who ever tai
sudden and strong Impulse 10 IL any
particular thing knows that n continued
Welding 60 gugh temptation tends 30
weaken the viii. Sef-coutyol is one of
the most important lessons which chill
drcn can De Taught, AMI 'he Jack Of this
quality is apt 90 cause moIe tIouble ihan
any other defect iu character Tn impul-
alre. uncontrolled u1ure is charming in
certain aspects. lt is true. bur the ineou-
veuicuce OF g. In most cases outweighs the
charm. A character cl this kind Hill not
be hurt by having some experience i'm self
command when HtJie girl pleads pass
sfo~ateIy for something cen which she has
sot her heart. hog delight when size gets
30 may De- very pleasant 20 see; but il she
makes herself misoarsbie every time She
cannot have just what She likes. she IS
liable 60 De unhappy most Of her life. and
make other people uncomfortable as well
She is also exposed to some grave dan
gers. because her temptations are likely
10 be peculiarly strong Some af The cases
o. ilaptomaua aud other crimes, which
are so common nowadays. are unquestioa-
ably due 20 training which did moi incul-
cate self -c0ntroL. OF course. it is bad TO
60 TO the other extreme. and eschcw all
sorts Of pleasure; and sometimes this
results in quite as much evil as comes
from too much freedom A person who
has never had a chance to satisfy desire
Is likely to fall a victim to it some time
or ofbcr efmulv because natural craving