Page images
PDF
EPUB

COMMUNICATION OF IDEAS.

169

hese animals can, and more beside; for he has powers of speech, by which he can communicate all his ideas, and interest, amuse, and instruct his friends.

2. What we mean by voice, is that sound produced in the windpipe by the air in its passage to and from the lungs, uttered by the lips, teeth, tongue, etc. There are two kinds of voice-the natural and the acquired. The natural voice consists of those sounds which are made without articulation; thus the cries which infants make as soon as they are born; the manner in which animals convey ideas to each other-as the horse appears to communicate ideas to another which is constantly with

him.

3. The hen gathers her chickens under her wings, when danger approaches, by her clucking, which is perfectly intelligible to her brood. The birds call their little ones together, and the wild beasts of the forests make the country resound with their roar. The dog has a natural language; when his master is in distress, he conveys that idea by barking and howling, and does not cease till some person follows him to ascertain the

cause.

4. The acquired or artificial voice results from imitation; by which means the child is enabled to speak words, and learn every variety of words and languages. If the sense of hearing be deficient, or if the child have no intellect, he can never learn to converse. Those who are born deaf, can never learn to speak, and are consequently mute, or dumb. Some, who have

2. What is voice? What is meant by natural voice? 3. Give examples of the natural voice. 4. What is acquired voice? Give an example. What are necessary beside Imitation? What results from a want of hearing?

[ocr errors]

been able both to hear and to speak for many years, lose their hearing entirely, and, gradually, their faculty of speech. Idiots can never talk very well, because they have no intellect.

5. Infants who cannot speak, have the organs of voice, formed as perfectly as when they are older. Many believe that the orang-outang has the powers of speech as perfect as we, but having no intellect to guide them, is therefore unable to use these powers. These animals have been known to laugh, but never to talk.

6. As soon as children understand the meaning of words, they use them. The more ideas they have, the more expressions they use. The reason why some chil

dren speak more correctly than others, is, that they hear more correct language at home. Most children are great talkers. They are continually saying something, whether it has any meaning or not; and you will generally find, by observation, that in these cases their eyes swell out, as it were, from their heads.

7. The only way to improve the organ of language, to be free and copious in expressing ideas, is to converse. The more persons talk, the more they can say; and the easier it is for them to express themselves. This is a far better, much more successful way, than to study the French, Spanish, and Italian languages; for, in a majority of instances, persons learn only to read those languages, to translate them into English, without talking or conversing in them.

8. There may be other advantages in studying these

5. How do we know that intellect is necessary for voice? 6. How soon do children talk? Why do some speak more correctly than others? What children have large swelled eyes? 7. How can this organ be improved? Why is this a better way than to study languages?

ADAPTATION OF THEIR LOCATION.

171

languages, but it does not improve our powers of speech. Every one acknowledges that woman has the power of language, but even she will lose this power if she does not use it. This faculty was given to us by our Maker as the means of communicating our ideas, of promoting social intercourse, and imparting instruction, sympathy, and affection.

9. Notice, yourselves, the eyes of all your schoolmates, and see if there be not a great difference in their fulness. Some appear as if almost sunk into the head, while others stand out as on a prominence.

10. This organ is represented in the cut, by a gentleman who appears to be delivering an eloquent address to his friends.

11. We have finished the description of the Perceptive or Observing Faculties, and, on reviewing their location, we see how beautifully they are arranged. First, we must look at objects, before we can gain any ideas, and we have for this purpose the organ of Individuality; then, close by its side is Form, to give us an idea of the different shapes of bodies. Close by Form, is Size, that we may have a more distinct idea of separate objects, as compared with others of the same form. When we know the size of an object we can judge of its weight, for they have a marked relation to each other; therefore Weight comes next in the rank.

12. Then we have Color, to enable us to distinguish a light from a dark body, to make us pleased with the varied hues and tints of nature; we have Order to

8. Why is it necessary

9. What difference is there in different pean? What was its design? 11, 12, 13. Explain the general location of the perceptive faculties and meir adaptation.

assist us in arranging all our thoughts, ideas, and plans, with system and method; Eventuality to enable us to store up the ideas we gain, and to recall them again.

13. Then Locality points out the different situations of places; Time and Tune enable us to appreciate the melody of song; and, lastly, Language, to give utterance to all the different emotions of the mind, and to express our feelings of love, kindness, affection, and sympathy.

14. It has been said by some, that those persons whose foreheads retreat, are often the smartest scholars. It is true, that, when the Perceptive Faculties predominate, they give fulness over the eyes, and to the lower part of the forehead, and enable the person to learn readily, to repeat what he or she has learned; but those are not generally deep, sound, and original scholars, without they possess the faculties described in the next chapter, which give fulness to the upper part of the forehead.

14. What talent do those possess who have these faculties? What do they not have?.

CHAPTER VIII.

REFLECTIVE, OR REASONING INTELLECT.

We have now come to the reasoning intellect, which gives to man the power to think, reason, invent, compare, and draw inferences. It is this, that places man supremely above the brute creation, that furnishes him a guide for his conscience in striking out paths of duty, and enables him to follow her dictates. An idiot may be conscientious, kind, and benevolent; yet if he have no reason, he cannot discriminate in his actions. first of the reasoning organs is

36. CAUSALITY.

The

[graphic]

DEFINITION-Desire to know the why and wherefore of actions; to trace out the causes of everything; ability to plan, judge, and think.

LOCATION-Causality is situated on each side of Comparison, in the forehead.

1. The organ of Causality is represented, in the cut, by a man who is watching the fall of an apple. You

What are the functions of the reasoning faculties? What assistance is reason to man, and why? What is the definition of Causality? What its location? 1. Explain the cut.

« PreviousContinue »