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

The study OF human nature is f1S-
chatting pursuit, and neTer has it been
more generally carried on than today. The
novelist, the poet the journalist. the
scientist, and psychologist all cater in
their various ways to the desire of man
to know more about his fellow-beings. The
unroyeling of complicated motives for the
commission Of crime is an endlessly inter
esting occupation to many people. and 10
others the relations of human beings,
drawn tagether through the emotions. APP
reais with greatest force. One class of
Observers reads police reports and sensa-
tional novels. and the other is devoted to
sentimental rcmances in and out OF real
life. but ii is all part of the same absorb
ing study Until very recently the
methods By which knowledge Of this sort
could be gained were decidedly unscien-
tifc and the STUDENT had 10 depend large
" on hat mysterious power called intui-
ton and on his personal experience. The
scientific psychologist is new type OF
observer.
one result OF The work of this modern
student CT humanity is the discussion of
add to the interest. and also the danger.
Of such discussion is that it is apt to in
fiuence the actions Of those who engage in
It, When the springs of human action are
investigated and the results OF such en-
quiry published. there are always some
morbid people who are affected by them.
II they read about moral degencratcs, who
are mot responsible for criminal actions,
they are apt TO fancy that they themselves
have some such immunity from response
bility. II this scientific Investigation is 10
be beneficial in the end 1t should be
qualified. for The use OF the public. with
plain and easily understood common
sense.
1t should be explained that though. IN
doubtedly. there are some unfortunate
people who through heredity. environ
ment. or other cause. are not wholly re-
gpons!ble for their actions. such eases are
rare. When they exist they are apt TO
have characteristics so marked that they
can be easily detected. People afflicted
with moral insanity which leads them 10
commit crimes with no apparent comnunc-
ton should be treated either as criminals
or lunatics and not allowed TO be at large
II they have on oyermasOering impulse to
set IRE 10 buildings, or murder their reIa-
tives, or do other shocking and dangerous
things. they should be - confined that
such deeds will be impossible ID them.
There is no need TO treat them with cruel
ty or judge them as criminals. But for
the protection OF society they should be
kept where they can do no harm.
Moreover, il should be thoroughly under
stood. especially by the young. that moral
degeueracy is sometimes ayOidable. \
great deal of wicl edness which IS now
called by that convenient aud ali-embcac-
ing phrase. emotional insanity, is simply
the result Of uncontrolled but not Unccn-
trollsble desires. Everyone who ever rad
a sudden and strong impulse 10 do any
particular thing knows that 4 continued
yielding 20 such temptation tends to
weaken the will. Self-control is one Of
the most important lessons which chit
dren can be taught; and the lack OF this
quality is apt 10 cause more trouble ihan
any other defect in character. The lmpul-
sive, uncontrolled nature is charming in
certain aspects. it is true, but the incou-
venience OF it in most cases outweighs the
charm. A character OF this kind VIII not
be hurt by having some experience in self
command. When EtIle girl pleads PAS
sionately Tor some hing on which she has
set her heart, her delight when she gets
it may BE- very pleasant TO see but il she
makes herself miserable every time she
cannot have Just what she likes. she is
liable to be 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
to be peculiarly strong. Some Of The cases
OF kleptomania aud other crimes, which
are so common nowadays. are unquestioa-
ably due to training which did not incu
cate self-control OF course. it is bad to
go to the other extreme. and eschew 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 chance to satisfy desire
is likely to fall victim to it some time
or other, simply because natural craving
fos pleasure is intensified by the starva-