own bodies, we know at sight when
others are under the influence of these affections. So
children long before they can speak, or understand the
language of their parents, may be frightened by an angry
countenance, or soothed by smiles and blandishments.

Secondly, when we put ourselves into the attitude that any
passion naturally occasions, we soon in some degree acquire
that passion; hence when those that scold indulge themselves
in loud oaths and violent actions of the arms, they increase
their anger by the mode of expressing themselves; and, on the
contrary, the counterfeited smile of pleasure in disagreeable
company soon brings along with it a portion of the reality,
as is well illustrated by Mr. Burke. (Essay on the Sublime
and Beautiful.)

These are natural signs by which we understand each other,
and on this slender basis is built all human language. For
without some natural signs no artificial ones could have been
invented or understood, as is very ingeniously observed by
Dr. Reid. (Inquiry into the Human Mind.)]

"Thus jealous quails or village-cocks inspect
Each other's necks with stiffen'd plumes erect;
Smit with the wordless eloquence, they know
The rival passion of the threatening foe.
So when the famish'd wolves at midnight howl,
Fell serpents hiss, or fierce hyenas growl;
Indignant Lions rear their bristling mail,
And lash their sides with undulating tail. 350
Or when the Savage-Man with clenched fist
Parades, the scowling champion of the list;
With brandish'd arms, and eyes that roll to know
Where first to fix the meditated blow;
Association's mystic power combines
Internal passions with external signs.

"From these dumb gestures first the exchange began
Of viewless thought in bird, and beast, and man;
And still the stage by mimic art displays
Historic pantomime in modern days; 360
And hence the enthusiast orator affords
Force to the feebler eloquence of words.

"Thus the first LANGUAGE, when we frown'd or smiled,
Rose from the cradle, Imitation's child;
Next to each thought associate sound accords,
And forms the dulcet symphony of words;
The tongue, the lips articulate; the throat
With soft vibration modulates the note;
L