Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-07-01
HOW THE MIND GROWS
By H. AddingtOn Bruce.


n N ENTAIL growth depends on many factors.
IVE One of the most essential is contact
with other minds. Nobody can grow or
keep mentally strong who cuts himself off from
intercourse with his fellows.
The truth of this is strikingly brought out by
the strange story of Caspar Hauser.
1t is nearly a hundred years since Captain
Hauser was found wandering helplesSly in the
streets of old Nuremberg, lad of sixteen or
seventeen with the undeveloped mind of a
child. He even tottered like a child that had
not fully mastered the art of walking.
To all questions as to who he was and
whence he came he made no answer He
seemed unable either to understand or to make
himself understood
On his person was found letter stating that
he had been turned adrift by guardian I'M
willing longer to care for him. The letter
added that almost from birth the unfortunate
CaSpar had been held in solitary confinement
in touch with no one but the guardian who
now thrust him on the mercieS of the world.
Later, from Caspar's own lips, confirmation
was obtained of the almost incredible state
ments in this singular letter.
For as long as he could recall he had been
imprisoned in little CELL never seeing even
the face of the man who brought him a daily
ration of bread and water Also, according to
his bographer, Dr.. Won Feuerbach:
an his cell he never heard a sound, whether
produced by man, by IN animal, or by any
thing else. He never perceived any difference
between day and night, and much less did he
ever get a sight of the beautiful lights in the
heavens.
Ellis mental condition during this dungeon
life must have been that of human being i'm
merSed from his infancy in a profound Sleep
in which he was not conscious even of a
dream"
But now things became different for Caspar
Kindly people took him in charge, he was given
ample freedom of intercourse with other men
and wonderland at once his mind began to
grow.
Within less than a year the idiocy he had
displayed on his first appearance in Nuremberg
was replaced by really alert intelligence. He
even became able to write account of his
dungeon experiences. High hopes for his fu-
ture were entertained
At this point, however, his career in the world
OF men ended as mysteriously as it had begun
Struck down by all assassin whose identity was
never known, Captain HauSer periSned in the
home of the good professor who had undertaken
his upbringing.
This, of course, is an extreme instance of
the understanding effects of prolonged solitude
But it illustrates with equal force the mind
developing value of social intercourse Well
may the psychologist MERCER exclaim:
at is 10 the habit of living in associated
numbers that man owes in good part his Supe-
nor intelligence SuppoSing it possible for man
to revert to the solitary habit he would soon
revert to the status Of the gorilla"
You who wish to grow mentally all your
days mingle often and freely with your brother
men. Beware the life of the recuSe, the her
NIT. 1t is certain to mean mental contraction.
not mental growth
Copyright, 1919, by the Associated Newspapers)
What do men know of women's work."
fercey queried the lady orator. els there a.
man here" she continued, folding her arms.
that has day after day got up in the morn
ing, gone quietly downstairs made the fire.
cooked his own breakfast sewed the missing
buttons on the children's clothes, cleaned the
pots and kettles, and swept the kitchen? If
there is such man in this audience let
him rise up. I should like TO see him
In the rear of the hall mid-Iooking man
in spectacles, in obedience to the summons.
-..-lldly arose. He was the husband of the
eloquent speaker. This was the first chance
he had ever had to assert himself.