The same Subject continued. THE relation of the mind to the body is so intimate, yet in its nature so incomprehensible, that all which can be done is to make some advances toward explaining it. A bad piece of intelligence, or any event that depresses the mind, weakens the body, and interrupts the due performance of its functions. Here, then, is an incontestible proof of the relation which subsists, and which should be kept in mind as we go on. If, under circumstances of mental distress, a meal be made, the food does not digest, it is not converted into chyle and assimilated to the body, yet digestion is entirely an animal, or as some would even call it, a chemical process; the food swallowed is, in the ordinary way, acted on in the stomach by a fluid peculiar to it, (the gastric juice), but should the mind be disturbed 1 this juice is rendered unfit to perform the part natural to it, and the food remains unaltered. A wish will not occasion hunger, but intense thought destroys it; in consequence of the ac tion of the mind the tears flow, the mouth becomes dry, and even the hair changes colour. No secretion is improved by the influence of the mind; on the contrary, the more powerful its operation, the less perfect is the discharge of the functions of the body. That the influence of the mind extends to the propagation of the species, may, after what has been said, easily be credited, and is supported by facts. All savages are unprolific, and they are so just in proportion as they are entitled to this character; in other terms, as they are fierce, vindictive, and cruel. Bruce noticed this fact, with respect to some of the African tribes; but as we are somewhat better acquainted with the American, I shall particularly notice the circumstances of that people. An American lives in a forest, surrounded by enemies thirsting mutually for revenge; ardent in the pursuit of one object, his mind contemplates that alone, while the scenery around him, and his great ignorance, heightens his malignancy; none of his opera tions are directed by an enlightened government sition to it. The checks to population, which he contends are insurmountable, are discountenanced and forbidden by the religion of Jesus Christ; both cannot be true; if Mr. M. can substantiate his doctrines, the christian religion admits of no defence.---But I will go a step further: there are some gentlemen who discredit revelation, yet believe in the being of a God, to these the theory of Mr. M. must also be in opposition. It must meet their ideas, that the world is capable of presenting scenes sufficiently interesting to attract the attention and gratify the noblest feelings of man, were he much wiser and better than he is: it is a theatre on which much may be enjoyed that is not enjoyed. Has the design of God in creation been counteracted? Is the constitution of the world imperfect? Will man never taste in this world the pleasures it was designed to communicate, and which he is capacitated to receive? Certainly he will. There are few intelligent deists who will not join in expressions of the fullest confidence that such a period will come: how many volumes have they not written to hasten its approach they have spoken much of the possibility of equality, virtue, and good order becoming universal :---the theory of Mr. M. is in direct opposition to such ideas: but that which is proposed is in unison with revelation, and includes the opinion of the deists; it admits the progress of knowledge, connected with the progress of happiness; it inculcates the practice of virtue, that life may be enjoyed; it limits the number of children, without calling in the aid of the ridiculous notion that celibacy is a virtue of the highest magnitude, a charm by which vice and misery are to be lulled to sleep. On the theory of Mr. M., let man turn to which side he will, misery presents itself; knowledge and virtue can only quicken his sensibility; they can alleviate no evil, they can de him no good. The same Subject continued. THE relation of the mind to the body is so intimate, yet in its nature so incomprehensible, that all which can be done is to make some advances toward explaining it. A bad piece of intelligence, or any event that depresses the mind, weakens the body, and interrupts the due performance of its functions. Here, then, is an incontestible proof of the relation which subsists, and which should be kept in mind as we go on. If, under circumstances of mental distress, a meal be made, the food does not digest, it is not converted into chyle and assimilated to the body, yet digestion is entirely an animal, or as some would even call it, a chemical process; the food swallowed is, in the ordinary way, acted on in the stomach by a fluid peculiar to it, (the gastric juice), but should the mind be disturbed |