LETTER III.

Examination of the Associations which produce Passions of the malevolent Class.-Consequences of early Impressions of Terror.-The Nature of Timidity investigated.—The Fear of Death, the Consequences of early Association.-Examples.

THE first class of associations that comes under our consideration, are those which are rendered permanent by means of strong sensation. These are chiefly, if not entirely, of the painful kind; the sensations that excite aversion being much stronger than those which produce pleasure; and as hatred is one of the malevolent passions, every association which produces it is particularly deserving of our attention. Fear and hatred are naturally connected; and may be observed, in many instances, mutually to excite each other. "Perfect love," saith the

apostle, "casteth out fear." We may likewise reverse the proposition, and with equal truth aver, that perfect or complete fear casteth out love, or, in other words, destroys the principle of benevolence.

It is, however, only by gross mismanagement that fear is nurtured into a passion productive of the evil I have ascribed to it; for in infancy it appears as an instinct implanted by the wise Creator to guard the feeble and inexperienced being from the dangers to which it might be exposed, while as yet ignorant of the nature and properties of the objects by which it is surrounded. But a foolish nurse no sooner observes that the infant mind is susceptible of terror, than she applies the discovery to the worst of purposes. It is the first, the constant engine of tyranny; and, in proportion as it is made to operate, the mind will be enfeebled and debased.

In one of the woes denounced against a sinful people in Scripture, it is declared by the Prophet, "that they shall be afraid

where no fear is." I can scarcely form an idea of a greater calamity; and yet to this calamity is many an innocent being exposed by the injudicious treatment of the nursery. Of the many happy methods employed to induce a quiet submission to the arbitrary decrees of the nurse, notice has been taken in a work of much deserved celebrity. However I may take the liberty of differing in some points from the able and ingenious authors of that treatise, I consider it, upon the whole, as an inestimable treasure of useful hints and sensible observations; and therefore, earnestly recommend it to your attentive perusal. In the chapter to which I have alluded, the injudicious method employed, to quiet the clamours which have been injudiciously excited, are considered with regard to their tendency towards hurting the temper. In addition to this evil of mighty magnitude, I consider the frequent employment of the engine of terror as having a tendency to debilitate the powers of the

mind, and to introduce malevolence and selfishness into the dispositions of the heart.

Timidity, when considered merely as an enemy to vigorous exertion, will be found an obstacle to every species of excellence; as by fettering the mind it is particularly friendly to prejudice, and inimical to truth. That self-possession, which seems the inheritance of great minds, is, in reality, but the triumph of reason over the passions of surprise and fear; which, on no emergency, can be promptly conquered by minds accustomed to the early dominion of terror. It surely, then, is our business to guard as much as possible against the early introduction of a passion, which is, in its excess, equally injurious to happiness and virtue.

"This may be all very truly observed," you will perhaps say, "with regard to boys; but in females, timidity appears so graceful. and engaging, that in them it ought by all means to be encouraged."

I beg your pardon; I thought we were speaking of the best method of cultivating the powers of human beings, so as to bring to the greatest perfection of which they are capable; and of watching over the impressions and associations of early life, so as to preserve it from the influence of prevailing errors.* In this I can make no distinction of sex; it being my opinion, that the mind which is most sedulously preserved from the influence of prejudice, will be best prepared for pursuing the line of conduct best adapted to its situation and circumstances. Females are, indeed, seldom placed in those where the exertion of active courage is required. Whatever is unnecessary is absurd; the affectation of it is disgusting. But of that passive courage which takes the name of fortitude, where is the woman, who, in some period of life, is not called on for its exertion?

* See Letter I.