ESSAY ON FEAR.

"That life is better life, past fearing death,
"Than that which lives to fear."

As I have very frequently had occasion to lament that great susceptibility of fear, which incessantly tortures the minds of those, who have very early in life been enervated by the quick apprehensions of imaginary danger, and which they have never afterwards been able to shake off or overcome, I intend to devote a few of my pages to a consideration and illustration of this important subject, endeavouring as much as is in my power, to render the parents and guardians of children particularly cautious to prevent the young mind from imbibing any of such destructive prejudices during their infantine educa tion.

The consideration of this subject, is of the greatest importance to every individual, as the

most dreadful consequences have resulted to mankind by the effects of fear. Death, madness, and deprivation of some of the most valuable of the mental faculties, have frequently accrued to unfortunate individuals, by the operation of this strange infatuation upon their minds; and, even where the effects have not been so powerful, the mind has materially suffered by the shock, and those who labour under this disease, are always liable to have their peace destroyed by the most trifling circumstances.

I shall begin by observing, that as fear is not an innate quality, or passion of the mind, it is, like all other knowledge or ideas, acquired; and being merely an apprehension of danger, is not felt by those minds who have been unacquainted with danger.

In order to shew this more fully, we have only to observe the conduct of very young animals, when placed in a situation of actual danger, but one in which they had never before been involved. For instance, we have observed young chickens running about, and feeding immediately under the power of some bird of prey, wholly unconscious of fear; but although they are so ignorant of the danger of their

situation, the parent hen is not; for she im mediately evinces her great anxiety, earnestly calls them around her, and protects them under her hovering wings. The negligence of the young birds arises from their ignorance; they have never suffered from the power of their enemy; and, consequently, do not regard the hawk as an enemy until they have witnessed its fatal power; while, on the contrary, the conduct of the old bird is the result of experience: she dreads the appearance of the bird of prey, because she has seen similar enemies commit the most cruel devastation. The numerous instances of young children playing with savage animals, or about the heels of horses, with an idea of perfect security, fully evinces this position; but were it necessary to convince my readers that fear is acquired, and that it is merely a susceptibility, or knowledge of real danger, it would not be difficult to produce a volume of examples; but, I believe, it will readily be granted by every one.

Fear is usually acquired during childhood, because the mind is then more susceptible of every kind of impression, and readily receives and cherishes every idea that is offered to it by

the operation of outward circumstances, or by the operation of those who undertake its education. And that knowledge, of all others, is the most readily received, which is calculated to protect the person from danger. But, although it is absolutely necessary to be apprehensive of real danger, in order, for our well being, it does not follow that we are to know what a fear of imaginary danger is; such a sensation ought never to enter the mind, nor would it if properly educated.

We should never be taught to apprehend dangers that from the nature of circumstances, cannot possibly exist; and, this is that apprehension of danger, which I understand by the word Fear, and which certainly torments ninetenths of mankind, and which ought to be done away.

"Thou, to whom the world unknown
"With all its shadowy shapes is shewn:
"Who seest appall'd th' unreal scene,
"While Fancy lifts the veil between:
"Ah, Fear! ah, frantic Fear!

"I see, I see thee near.

"I know thy hurried step, thy haggard eye!
"Like thee I start, like thee disorder'd fly,
"For, lo, what monsters in thy train appear!

"Danger, whose limbs of giant mould, "What mortal eye can fix'd behold?

"Who stalks his round, an hideous form,
"Howling amidst the midnight storm,

"Or throws him on the ridgy steep
"Of some loose hanging rock to sleep:
"And with him thousand phantoms join'd,
"Who prompt to deeds accurs'd the mind:
"And those, the fiends, who near allied,
"O'er nature's wounds and wrecks preside:
"While Vengeance, in the lurid air,
"Lifts her red arm, expos'd and bare;
"On whom that ravening brood of fate,
"Who lap the blood of sorrow, wait;
"Who, Fear, this ghastly train can see,
"And look not madly wild, like thee?
"Thou who such weary lengths hast past,
"Where wilt thou rest, mad nymph, at last?
"Say, wilt thou shroud in haunted cell,
"Where gloomy Rape and Murder dwell?
"Or in some hallow'd seat,

"'Gainst which the big waves beat,

"Hear drowning seamen's cries in tempests brought? "Dark power, with shuddering meek submitted thought, "Be mine, to read the visions old,

"Which thy awakening bards have told;

"And lest thou meet my blasted view,

"Hold each strange tale devoutly true;
"Ne'er be I found, by thee o'er-aw'd,
"In that thrice-hallow'd eve abroad,
"When ghosts, as cottage-maids believe,
"Their pebbled beds permitted leave,