[page] 47

The expression if the emotions in man and animals. By Charles Darwin. New York: D. Appleton & Co.

This is Mr. Darwin's latest work, and exhibits in a striking manner his marvelous industry in the collection of facts, and in generalizing upon them. The connection of the subject with the theory of the origin of man is expressed by the author in these concluding words:

"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."

Mr. Darwin's method of investigation is noteworthy. He studied personally, or by proxy, infants, because they exhibit many emotions with extraordinary force, and with simplicity: the insane, because they are liable to the strongest passions, and give uncontrolled vent to them; the effects of galvanic

[page] 48

irritation of facial muscles, in producing simulated expressions; and the mechanical means by which emotions are indicated in the works of great painters and sculptor. It is curious that he found works of art, with a few exceptions, telling their story rather by skillfully given accessories than by direct expression. In other words, the imagination and sympathy of the beholder are more appealed to by art than by nature, or art reminds us of nature, rather than reproduces nature for us. Again, Mr. Darwin has prosecuted for five years a series of acute inquiries among different nations, civilized and savage, to ascertain to what extent the same movements of features and of body express in all races the same emotions. The result has been to show a remarkable degree of uniformity throughout the world. Finally, he has attended to the expression of the several passions in some of the commoner animals, such as dogs, cats, horses, cattle, and monkeys.

As might be expected from such an investigation in such hands, a great mass of highly interesting and significant evidence has been collected. The general reader will find this the most fascinating of all Mr. Darwin's books, because the facts it contains are so simple, and often so familiar, that the unexpected light thrown upon them by their mere collocation produces a perpetual surprise and pleasure. Whatever may be the fate of the theory of expression which the author advances, avowing it to be tentative and incomplete, the book cannot fail to stimulate thousands of persons to the wholesome exercise of observing more thoughtfully and inquisitively the phenomena of nature by which they are surrounded. It is a household natural history for those who have no access to the fields or the ocean-depths.