The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-06-02


group of five physicians
and surgeons, gathered
at the home of a col
league for the purpose Of compar-
ing professional notes, sat down to
dinner. Though the conversation,
originally intended to be strictly
confined to medicine, soon became
diverted by a chance remark of the
host into the channels of crimi-
nOlogy and medicine combined, one
Of their number, who for some
years had acted as resident physi-
clan in the State penitentiary, and
whose name was famous in pencil
ogy, ate in silence without appar-
ent interest in the subjects under
discussion. he had uttered scarcely
a word after entering the dining
room This taciturnity on his part
was not unusual, for he was known
by his colleagues to be Of a think
ing, rather than garrulous, nature,
given TO few words, even on festive
occasions. However, the host, DR..
Roe, in order to draw him into the
conversation, finally turned 20 him
and said:
Did you hear that, Furnivall?
Gerrish says all criminals are in
sane"
DR.. FurnivaIl raised his head
slowly and looked across the table
at Dr. Gerrish.
when did you find that out?'' he
asked.
"What?" came in a chorus from
all sides. And DR.. Roe continued:
You don't mean to say you sub
scribe 10 that"
Furnivan raised his eyebrows and
waved his hand IN mock depreciation.
In Appearance he was an ordinary
man. rather good looking. OF middle
age. He wore a beard. which was
streaked with gray. and the only thing
about him that seemed noticeable was
his eyes. These IN repose were ordi-
nary enough. too, az first glance. But
n closer acquaintance with them dis
closed singular quality which one
would begin 10 describe as color and
end by declaring 70 be a fascination OF
depth. Looking steadily into them was
Ike standing on a precipice and gaz-
ing over till the impulse comes to
plunge down. Blue. Of a very dark
limpid tone. one would say they were
on casual view, but blue that flick
cred and waved under observation be-
tween blue and dark gray. suddenly
flaming to a fixed and powerful black.
which seemed 20 bore into ones very
soul. and yet At the same time re-
semble a bottomless well into which
i would be the most pleasing and nat
ural hing IN the world for one 10
Jump and cA=elessly sink Despite the
fact that they lacked any suggestion
or wildness, and that toe N,hISes were
no more than normally IN evidence. a
true psychologist would recognize these
singular eyes as most peculiarly ADAPT
Cd to the use OF hypnotism. They had.
however, never been put TO these uses.
rs far as the doctor friends were
aware.
With the lifting or his brows and
the waving Of his hand. DR.. Furnivall
said:
Gentlemen, the question Is one
largely Of Technology. What is inssn-
ity2- And l suppose Gerrish means
that every criminal is insane. for the
moment at least, or he would never
commit the crime. Probably we would
say that insanity Is a state Of mind
which impels a person 90 do what no
sane person would do: but that
doesn't seem to help us much. II re-
solves Itself. on one side, into q mat
ter OF observance or uonobservance Of
custom. He who does a little different
from the majority is called a crank.
or eccentric; II he acts greatly differ
ent he is foolish, or demeDted, or odd,
or crazed, or insane. and so forth Now
the ordinary man does not, FOR exam
pie, default and run away with tho
funds Of bank even when he has a
chance 20 do so. He who does so is
therefore not ordinary. Maybe he -
only a fool, without sense enough TO
know how small are his chances for
escape. Maybe he Is insane. But call
him what you viii. lbs Is not the nor
NAL mind"
At this another chorus went up:
But circumstances How are YOU
going TO leave them out? wouldn't
circumstances force, sometimes. even
a normal person"
FCrnivall again waved his hand. as II
the question were trivial
"A mans circumstances are the mar
himselfS are part Of him. Circurn-
stances do not force him: he forces
them. lie makes them. An absolutely
honest man could not be made to steal.
even by the thumb screws Of the In
qGisition. any more than he could. on
the rhvsical side, be made to lift a ton
With his hands. Temptation, like mus
cuiar strength. does not he without;
Il Yes within. What a man Is Is what
pC'y h!m IN his circumstances. 1 will
even vS,:torV to assert that a thor
oughiy ME- Ne-Soa could II It were
POSSIBLE FOR Slm 50 know ell the cir
cumstances surrounding any nan.
work back 10 the discovery os that
mans very mind and soul. aud from
that basis work forward aas SEGdict
age Two