The Expression of Emotion in Man and Animals | Page 7

become firmly associated
together through long-continued habit.
Dr. Piderit published in 1859 an essay on Expression, which I have not
seen, but in which, as he states, he forestalled Gratiolet in many of his
views. In 1867 he published his `Wissenschaftliches System der Mimik
und Physiognomik.' It is hardly possible to give in a few sentences a
fair notion of his views; perhaps the two following sentences will tell as
much as can be briefly told: "the muscular movements of expression
are in part related to imaginary objects, and in part to imaginary
sensorial impressions. In this proposition lies the key to the
comprehension of all expressive muscular movements." (s. 25) Again,
"Expressive movements manifest themselves chiefly in the numerous
and mobile muscles of the face, partly because the nerves by which
they are set into motion originate in the most immediate vicinity of the
mind-organ, but partly also because these muscles serve to support the
organs of sense." (s. 26.) If Dr. Piderit had studied Sir C. Bell's work,
he would probably not have said (s. 101) that violent laughter causes a
frown from partaking of the nature of pain; or that with infants (s. 103)
the tears irritate the eyes, and thus excite the contraction of the
surrounding in muscles. Many good remarks are scattered throughout
this volume, to which I shall hereafter refer.
Short discussions on Expression may be found in various works, which
need not here be particularised. Mr. Bain, however, in two of his works
has treated the subject at some length. He says,[8] "I look upon the
expression so-called as part and parcel of the feeling. I believe it to be a

general law of the mind that along with the fact of inward feeling or
consciousness, there is a diffusive action or excitement over the bodily
members." In another place he adds, "A very considerable number of
the facts may be brought under the following principle: namely, that
states of pleasure are connected with an increase, and states of pain
with an abatement, of some, or all, of the vital functions." But the
above law of the diffusive action of feelings seems too general to throw
much light on special expressions.
Mr. Herbert Spencer, in treating of the Feelings in his `Principles of
Psychology' (1855), makes the following remarks:--"Fear, when strong,
expresses itself in cries, in efforts to hide or escape, in palpitations and
tremblings; and these are just the manifestations that would accompany
an actual experience of the evil feared. The destructive passions are
shown in a general tension of the muscular system, in gnashing of the
teeth and protrusion of the claws, in dilated eyes and nostrils in growls;
and these are weaker forms of the actions that accompany the killing of
prey." Here we have, as I believe, the true theory of a large number of
expressions; but the chief interest and difficulty of the subject lies in
following out the wonderfully complex results. I infer that some one
(but who he is I have not been able to ascertain) formerly advanced a
nearly similar view, for Sir C. Bell says,[9] "It has been maintained that
what are called the external signs of passion, are only the concomitants
of those voluntary movements which the structure renders necessary."
Mr. Spencer has also published[10] a valuable essay on the physiology
of Laughter, in which he insists on "the general law that feeling passing
a certain pitch, habitually vents itself in bodily action," and that "an
overflow of nerve-force undirected by any motive, will manifestly take
first the most habitual routes; and if these do not suffice, will next
overflow into the less habitual ones." This law I believe to be of the
highest importance in throwing light on our subject.`
[8] `The Senses and the Intellect,' 2nd edit. 1864, pp. 96 and 288. The
preface to the first edition of this work is dated June, 1855. See also the
2nd edition of Mr. Bain's work on the `Emotions and Will.'
[9] `The Anatomy of Expression,' 3rd edit. p. 121.
[10] `Essays, Scientific, Political, and Speculative,' Second Series,
1863, p. 111. There is a discussion on Laughter in the First Series of
Essays, which discussion seems to me of very inferior value.

[11] Since the publication of the essay just referred to, Mr. Spencer has
written another, on "Morals and Moral Sentiments," in the `Fortnightly
Review,' April 1, 1871, p. 426. He has, also, now published his final
conclusions in vol. ii. of the second edit. of the `Principles of
Psychology,' 1872, p. 539. I may state, in order that I may not be
accused of trespassing on Mr. Spencer's domain, that I announced in
my `Descent of Man,' that I had then written a part of the present
volume: my first MS. notes on