as a zero, courage negative, halfway up,
and courage positive, at the top, which may be considered as "blood
heat;" and upon this thermometrical scale the animal courage of every
individual may be placed. Courage _nil_ or cowardice, needs no
explanation. Courage negative, which is the most common, is that degree
of firmness which will enable a person to do his duty when danger _comes
to him_; he will not avoid danger, but he will not exactly seek it.
Courage positive, when implanted in a man, will induce him to seek
danger, and find opportunities of distinguishing himself where others
can see none. Courage negative is a passive feeling, and requires to be
roused. Courage positive is an active and restless feeling, always on
the look-out.

An extreme susceptibility, and a phlegmatic indifference of disposition,
although diametrically in opposition to each other, will produce the
same results: in the former, it is mental, in the latter, animal
courage. Paradoxical as it may appear, the most certain and most
valuable description of _courage_ is that which is acquired from the
_fear of shame_. Further, there is no talent which returns more fold
than courage, when constantly in exercise: for habit will soon raise the
individual, whose index is near to zero, to the degree in the scale
opposite to courage negative; and the possessor of courage negative will
rise up to that of courage positive; although, from desuetude, they
_will again sink to their former position_.

It is generally considered that men are _naturally brave_; but as,
without some incentive, there would be no courage, I doubt the position.
I should rather say that we were naturally cowards. Without
incitement, courage of every description would gradually descend to the
zero of the scale; the necessity of some incentive to produce it, proves
that it is "against nature." As the ferocity of brutes is occasioned by
hunger, so is that of man by "hungering" after the coveted enjoyments of
life, and in proportion as this appetite is appeased, so is his courage
decreased. If you wish animals to fight, they must not be over-fed; and
if a nation wishes to have good officers, it must swell their pride by
decorations, and keep them poor. There are few who do not recollect the
answer of the soldier to his general, who had presented him with a purse
of gold, in reward of a remarkable instance of gallantry, and who, a
short time afterwards, requiring something extr