ago remarked,[1404] on different persons bringing into frequent use
different facial muscles, according to their dispositions; the
development of these muscles being perhaps thus increased, and the
lines or furrows on the face, due to their habitual contraction, being
thus rendered deeper and more conspicuous. The free expression by
outward signs of an emotion intensifies it. On the other hand, the
repression, as far as this is possible, of all outward signs softens
our emotions.[1405] He who gives way to violent gestures will increase
his rage; he who does not control the signs of fear will experience
fear in a greater degree; and he who remains passive when overwhelmed
with grief loses his best chance of recovering elasticity of mind.
These results follow partly from the intimate relation which exists
between almost all the emotions and their outward manifestations; and
partly from the direct influence of exertion on the heart, and
consequently on the brain. Even the simulation of an emotion tends to
arouse it in our minds. Shakespeare, who from his wonderful knowledge
of the human mind ought to be an excellent judge, says:
Is it not monstrous that this player here,
But in a fiction, in a dream of passion,
Could force his soul so to his own conceit,
That, from her working, all his visage wann d;
Tears in his eyes, distraction in s aspect,
A broken voice, and his whole function suiting
With forms to his conceit? And all for nothing!
_Hamlet_, act ii. sc. 2.
We have seen that the study of the theory of expression confirms to a
certain limited extent the conclusion that man is derived from some
lower animal form, and supports the belief of the specific or
sub-specific unity of the several races; but as far as my judgment
serves, such confirmation was hardly needed. We have also seen that
expression in itself, or the language of the emotions, as it has
sometimes been called, is certainly of importance for the welfare of
mankind. To understand, as far as possible, the source or origin of the
various expressions which may be hourly seen on the faces of the men
around us, not to mention our domesticated animals, ought to possess
much interest for us. From these several causes, we may conclude that
the philosophy of our subject has well deserved the attention which it
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