WHAT IS NATURAL?

Timaru Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 2827, 15 October 1883, Page 3

WHAT IS NATURAL?

(Philadelphia Ledger.) There is no argument m favor of an sxisting state of things, as opposed to any innovation, so common, and, to many people, so irrefutable, as tho plea that it ia perfectly natural. From the moet trifling acquired habit up to the grarest subject of social or political welfare, whun changes are urged, and reasons i>iven why they should bo made, their adherents defend them warmly on the ground that they aro natural, and, therefore, should not bo attacked. What is the real weight of this argument ? Of course, natural means according to nature, and wo say rightly that it is natural for tho sun to rise m the east, for the grass to i^row m the spring, for flowers to bloom m their sonson, for clouds to precede rain, for all such things we have found by long, tried experience to be the invariable course of nature. Whatover changes lapse of time, with gradually altering circumstances, may make m what wo now call natural laws for us, with our limited powers of conception, they may bo always relied on as practically infallible. But when wo come to human nature we havo very different elements todeal with. Erery Btudeut of history, and, indeed, ovory thoughtfulperßon,mustseethatthisis constantly developing, and, therefore, constantly changing. It takesno extraordinary insight to observo that what was perfectly natural to our ancestors of a few generations ago, is, at this ago and to us, often unnatural, even barbarous and revolting. Analogy should at least suggest that the same process may m years to come produce liko changes of fueling toward usages that wo now foudly cherish. Not only lapses of timo make theao alterations of sentiment, but different localities, circumstances, and other inllitouces. Savago tribes still exist, who deem it quite natural to|sacrifice human life to imaginary deities, to burn tho ,wife on tho funeral pile of hoc husband, to torturu and enslave strangers. Only a few short years ago the institution of slavery was warmly defended within tho limits of the freest country m the world, on the ground that it was intrinsically natural for the white man to command and the black man to obey. Despotic Governments aro still upheld by tho same reasoning, and are dealared by their supportors to be tho most natural of all, as following tho primitive or patriarchal form. Tho law of force, or of might making right, has always had its defenders, who havo claimnd that just that degree of it to which they were accustomod was perfectly natural, and, therefore, perfectly justifiable, and similar claims are being put forth day by day m this enlightened age and by the mo-st advanced people. What argument has been raoro of tun used against according to womon equal advantages and opportunities with mon ! To the Turk it is unnatural that a womai: should appear unveiled ; to tho Frenchman that she mingle m society befori marriage. Some have thought all educa tion unnatural for her, others all but the most common branches, and even now here and there aro those who deem tha 1 the lighter studies and accomplishmonti are more natural to her than classics am mathematics. Some deem it a sort o mild disgrace for one brought up as a ladi to earn the bread she eats ; others an willing she should do it m a fow prescribed ways, such as teachinj or writing, but are shocked i she desire to practise medicino o law, or preach or lecture, or (ill an; public office of trust. Each one think that he has arrived at the just limitation for her power and her freedom, and feel fully qualified to pronounce upon who is natural or unnatural for every woma to do or to enjoy. Is it not clear tin what is natural, m tho popular sense c the word is simply what is customary t

a our place, and time, and habits ? If w Bnid certain things were unusual wo migh l " apeak correctly, but to say they aro wn '" natural, moaning contrary to humai _ nature, is to assume that humai J naturo is a fixed and unalterablo thing r which we, m our unerring wisdom have fathomed once and for ever. Feel 1 ings aro always largely dependent oi t custom ; wo insensibly loam to love tha to which wo become habituated, and ti ■, dread its upheaval; but. when we olio? 1 theso feelinga to nssumo control of thi 9 roason, and allow a prejudice m favor o the customary so to govern us that w< ' refuse to submit it to wholesome criticisrr we are placing ourselves m direct an J tagonism to all progress, to all develop meiit, to all improvement. Wo favor tit indiscriminate throwing off of existing 1 usages. They may be the bist that is possiblo for tho present time and circum- | stances ; and if such bo found to be tht I enso, lot ns cling to them for that reason, but not because wo aro sc accustomed to them that a change i would mako us uncomfortable. Tc the argument m favor of anything, that it is natural, tho true reply would be, Yes, it is natural fo us, horo and now ; but is it the bost thing, the highest that we can find, tho mo3t reasonable that we can imagine, the best fitted for the welfare and happiness of mankind t If bo, let us retain it with tenacity ; but, if not, if something superior can be found, let us welcome it heartily, and thus succeed m making our highest ideal synonymous with our most natural and willing performance.