Page:Language of the Eye.djvu/56

38 CHAPTER VI.

GENERAL EXPRESSION.

will return to our specific subject, by reminding our readers the mediæval poets considered there was peculiar spirituality in the eye; and, therefore, they say, angels have only the endowments of sight and hearing. It is certain that the eye gives the promptest and surest indication of mental motion. It is through this channel the understanding and feeling are communicated; talent, genius, hope, fear, love, joy, hatred, sorrow, despair, and revenge, are expressed. Here is the path through which the refined mind is excited with a continual desire to attain higher excellence; through which exalted friendship, and other noble incentives, are constantly exercising. Often in the eyes may be seen that ethereal object, the beauty of the soul, as conceived in the purpose of Deity, and ordained from eternity to lead us through rugged time to peaceful paths by the river of life.

The intelligent, the impassioned, the energetic, the imaginative, and the man of genius, are readily recognized by communications made through their eyes.

The lover's hopes and fears, his joys and sorrows are all painted in the eye; indeed, every passion and gradation of feeling may be detected by the intelligent observer; yes, the soul is constantly at the window of the enchanted palace of sight, as a little bird who has a continual desire to chaunt its melodious airs in some unbounded sphere; and