The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 05, No. 31, May, 1860 by Various
page 27 of 292 (09%)
page 27 of 292 (09%)
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time points of dissimilarity, such as to make the two principles appear
radically unlike. This brief summary presents nearly all that we can satisfactorily make out respecting instinct; and at the same time it shows how much is still wanting to a complete solution of all the questions which it involves. And then there are higher mysteries connected with the subject, which we do not attempt to penetrate,--mysteries in regard to the creation and the maintenance of instinctive action: whether it be the result of particular external conditions acting on the organization of animals, or whether, as Sir Isaac Newton thought, the Deity himself is virtually the active and present moving principle in them;--and mysteries, too, about the future of the brute world: whether, as Southey wrote, "There is another world For all that live and move,--a better world." If we ever find a path which seems about to lead us up to these mysteries, it speedily closes against us, and leaves us without any rational hope of attaining their solution. MY OWN STORY. "Oh, tell her, brief is life, but love is long." |
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