Page:Letters on the Human Body (John Clowes).djvu/183

Rh, that the most important organs of the human body—on the orderly motions of which both the health and life of the body are altogether dependant—are under some foreign control, separate from the agency both of man’s will and understanding; as if intended by the Divine Providence of the to be standing monuments—how little man can do for himself, and how much is every day done for him by others? Oh! that we were wise to admit all the salutary instruction involved in this fact!

You are surprised perhaps to find, that you have so little to do in the affairs of your own body, and that so much is done for you by an agency distinct from your own; but how much more will you be astonished at hearing, that this wonder is not confined to your body, but extends also to your soul, or spirit, which latter has also its voluntary and involuntary motions!

Perhaps, in the whole range of metaphysical speculation and inquiry, there is no point of greater moment, none also which has been less attended to, yet none which is more confirmed by universal experience, than the existence of such voluntary and involuntary mental motions. I appeal, my dear Sir, on this occasion, to the testimony of what you feel passing every day in your own bosom. For, let me ask, do you find that you can command, at all times, your own affections