CHAPTER TENTH.

LAWS OF ASSOCIATION. (II) SECONDARY LAWS.

§. 109. Of secondary laws and their connection with the

primary.

THE subject of Association is not exhausted in the enumeration and explanation of its Laws, which has thus far been given. Besides the PRIMARY LAWS, which have fallen under our consideration, there are certain marked and prominent circumstances, which are found to exert, in a greater or less degree, a modifying and controlling influence over the more general principles. As this influence is of a permanent character, and not merely accidental and temporary, the grounds or sources of it are called, by way of distinction, SECONDARY LAWS.

These, which we are now to consider, will probably appear at first sight to be more numerous than they are in fact. It is undoubtedly somewhat difficult to make out a just and unalterable designation of them. Nevertheless it is believed, that on a careful examination, their multiplicity will be lessened, and that they will be found to be but four in number; viz, lapse of time, degree of coexistent feeling, repetition or habit, and original or constitutional difference in character.

It must at once be obvious, that these principles, although holding a subordinate rank, give an increased range and power to the PRIMARY laws. It is not to be in

ferred from the epithet, by which they are distinguished, that they are, therefore, of a very minor, and inconsiderable importance. On the contrary human nature without them, as far as we are capable of judging, would have assumed a sort of fixed and inflexible form, instead of presenting those pleasing, and almost endless diversities it now does. The primary laws are the great national roads, along which the mind holds its course; the secondary are those cross roads, that intersect them from time to time, and thus afford an entrance into, and a communication with the surrounding country; and yet all have a connection with each other; and with all their turnings and intersections, concur at last in the ultimate destination.

§. 110. Of the influence of the lapse of time.

The first of the secondary laws, which we shall consider, is LAPSE OF TIME. Stated more particularly the law is this; Our trains of thought and emotion are more or less strongly connected and likely to be restored, according as the lapse of time has been greater or less.

Perhaps no lapse of time, however great, will utterly break the chain of human thought, and cause an entire inability of restoring our former experiences; but it appears evident from observation, as far so as observation renders evident in almost any case, that every additional moment of intervening time weakens, if it do not break and sunder the bond, that connects the present with the past, and diminishes the probability of such a restoration. We remember many incidents, even of a trifling nature, which occurred to day, or the present week, while those of yesterday or of last week are forgotten But if the increased period of months and years throws itself between the present time and the date of our past experiences, our ancient joys, regrets, and sufferings, then how unfrequent is their recurrence, and how weak and shadowy they appear! Increase the lapse of time a little further, and a dark cloud rests on that portion of our history; less

substantial than a dream, it utterly eludes our search, and becomes to us as if it had never been.

There is, however, an apparent exception to this law, which should be mentioned. The associated feelings of old men, which were formed in their youth and the early part of manhood, are more readily revived than those of later origin. On this state of things in old men, two

remarks are to be be made.

Events,

The first is, that the law under consideration fully, and unfailingly maintains itself in the case of aged persons, whenever the time is not extended far back. which happened but a few hours before, are remembered, while there is an utter forgetfulness of those, which happened a few weeks or even days before. So far as this, the law operates in old men precisely as in others. The second remark is, that the failure of its operation in respect to the events of youth is caused not by an actual inability in the secondary law before us, to blot out and diminish here as in other cases, but by the greater power of the combined action of two other laws, viz. Co-existent feeling, and Repetition or habit. Our early life, as a general statement, was the most deeply interesting, and is the most frequently recurred to; and in this way its recollections become so incorporated with the mind as to hold a sort of precedence over our more recent experiences, and thrust them from their proper place.

§. 111. Secondary law of repetition or habit.

Another secondary law is REPETITION; in other words, successions of thought are the more readily suggested in proportion as they are the more frequently renewed. If we experience a feeling once, and only once, we find it difficult to recall it after it has gone from us, but repeated experience increases the probability of its recurring. Every schoolboy, who is required to commit to memory, puts this law to the test and proves it. Having read a sentence a number of times, he finds himself able to repeat it out of book, which he could not do with merely reading it once.

The operation of this law is seen constantly in particular arts and professions. If men be especially trained up to certain trades, arts, and sciences, their associations on those particular subjects and on every thing connected with them, are found to be prompt and decisive. We can but seldom detect any hesitancy or mistake within the circle, where their minds have been accustomed to operate, because every thought and process have been recalled and repeated thousands of times. With almost every thing they see or hear there is a train of reflection, connecting it with their peculiar calling, and bringing it within the beaten and consecrated circle. They seem unable to free themselves from an influence, which has grown with their growth, and strengthened with their strength. Every hour, unless they guard against it, hastens the process, which threatens to cut them off, and insulate them from the great interests of humanity, and to make them wholly professional.

It is proper to add, that the result of repetition, which is indicated here, is not limited to association. This is only one of the numerous applications of the great LAW OF HABIT, which will soon be separately considered.

§. 112. Of the secondary law of co-existent emotion.

A third secondary law is co-EXISTENT EMOTION.—It may be stated in other words as follows; The probability, that our mental states will be recalled by the general laws will in part depend on the depth of feeling, the degree of interest, which accompanied the original experience of them.

Why are bright objects more readily recalled than faint or obscure? It is not merely because they occupied more distinctly our perception, but because they more engaged our attention and interrested us, the natural consequence of that greater distinctness. Why do those events in our personal history, which were accompanied with great joys and sorrows, stand out like pyramids in our past life, distinct to the eye, and immovable in their position, while others have been swept away, and cannot be

found? Merely because there were joy and sorrow in the one case, and not at all, or only in a slight degree, in the other; because the sentient part of our nature combined itself with the intellectual; the heart gave activity and vigour to the understanding.

We learn from a revered and ancient Book, that the Jews could not forget Jerusalem, the Holy City, the gates of Zion, that they loved so well. And why not? How did it happen that in their Captivity they sat down by the rivers of Babylon, wept when they remembered Zion, and hung their harps on the willows? It was, because the features of Jerusalem were not mere outlines, addressed to the cold, unquickened perception; but every lineament was wreathed with love; every gate and street and dwelling-place and temple waxed bright and beautiful in the midst of pure and pleasant recollections; the Holy city was not a mere abstraction of the head; its image was pictured and written on the heart.

§. 113. Original difference in the mental constitution.

The fourth and last secondary law of association is ORIGINAL DIFFERENCE IN THE MENTAL CONSTITUTION.This Law, it will be noticed, is expressed in the most general terms; and is to be considered, therefore, as applicable both to the intellectual and the sentient part of man. It requires accordingly to be contemplated in two distinct points of view.

The law under consideration holds good, in the first place, in respect to original differences of emotion or feeling, or as it is more commonly expressed, of disposition. It will help to make us understood, if we allude briefly, in this part of the subject, to two different classes of persons. One of the descriptions of men, which we have now in view, is composed of those, for such are undoubtedly to be found, who are of a pensive and melancholy turn. From their earliest life they have shown a fondness for seclusion, in order that they might either commune with the secrets of their own hearts, or hold intercourse, undisturbed by others, with whatever of impressiveness and