From these circumstances and states of mind, it appears, that, instead of their stock of animal spirits being expended, under the guidance of a moral agency, and regularly diffused over their existence, they are subject to mere physical influence, and become the sport of every eddying wind that blows; and therefore we find every possible variety and irregularity exhibited.—A perfect contrast to that of the good and wise man, if such a one can be found, whose balance of mind is preserved, whose spirits are tranquil and even, who enjoys perpetual sunshine within, and diffuses peace and serenity around him. Thus, because when their spirits are buoyant, they strangely exhibit their inherent defects of mind, it has in many instances been mistaken for an exacerbation or a returning accession of the disease, and called the chronic type of old incurable cases. It further appears, that this view is correct, from the fact, that if their manner of talking and acting, in expending their increased flow of spirits, is improperly encouraged or exasperated, then we find their individual and latent defects become more obvious; but with proper treatment, they gradually die away: in fact, these appearances are more or less perceptible, in a great measure, according to the spirit and conduct of the superintendant; and even, under him, to that of their respective attendants. Of this, I could give some striking illustrations. It is astonishing how much the increased flow of the spirits will be dark, gloomy, and vindictive; or light, cheerful, and full of kindliness; just as we by our treatment excite and keep alive one part of the mind or another. The same principle might be illustrated also, on a larger scale, by surveying the conduct of different parties and governments in the world; and on a smaller scale we see every one in authority, a magistrate, a gentleman, a minister, a pastor, the captain of a ship, and a parent, stamp their character on the sphere in which they move. Were it the place, nothing could be more instructive than examples to demonstrate the correctness of these observations. The preceding case, I consider, is one of these examples. I have said, that for the most part, these states of excitement and depression, are merely an irregular exhibition in the accumulation and expenditure of the animal spirits, and not always to be considered, according to Dr. Halloran’s view, as the remains of the disease in the state of a returning paroxysm, and that which characterises the permanently insane; but that this originated in, and depended on, causes which equally affect the animal spirits of the sane and insane, with this difference, that in the insane, as in this case, they are modified by the peculiar state of mind, and the sort of treatment they have received.