PHYSIOLOGY OF THE STOCK EXCHANGE.
OF all occupations to soften the manners and refine the mind, none is so efficacious as money-making. Judge it by its fruits. Of all classes, that which displays the most amiable sensitiveness is the respectable circle collectively called the Stock Exchange. We have heard of a politician so sincere in his patriotic solici- tudes' that his anxieties, respecting the political wrongs of Ire- land, for instance, would prevent him from sleeping in his bed. But the Stock Exchange is far wider in the scope of its sympa- thies, and is touched by slighter interests. "Nil humani a se alienum putat." And this amiable tenderness is equally displayed in London and Paris.
Look at our own beloved Exchange, within these few days. On Monday it is in low spirits, because corn has risen a few shil- lings. Other people heartlessly preserve their equanimity; but the stockjobbers are so touched by the national reverse, slight as it is, that they moodily suffer their affairs to assume a sympa- thetic decline, and sell their stocks at a losing price. "The fall of rain which took place during the night," however, as we are told on high authority, " produced a better feeling." Even the very " bears of stock " " naturally dwell " upon reports about the renewal of the potato blight; and, naturally too, some indig- nation is levelled at those who talk about " aphis vastator" and other nasty insects, without the smallest regard to the feelings on 'Change. Meanwhile, however, it transpires that the Chancellor of the Exchequer has completed his loan arrangements; and there is immediately the most benevolent feeling of satisfaction at Sir Charles Wood's good. luck. Again, take the Paris Bourse. On Tuesday, "the bears made a strong effort to bring down prices, and succeeded,"—a remark- able sally of ill-nature. But the poor bears are forgiven, when it turns out that " all kinds of disquieting rumours were in circula- tion." Some said that the good old King Louis Philippe was not well, and we all know how grief may assume the aspect of rage. Ariosto beautifully compares the young Medoro, when his master is killed and he makes an onslaught on the enemy, to a she-bear raging for the death of its young : but he might have compared him to a French bear when its king is unwell. One agitating report was that the King of the Belgians was dead; another, that there had been " a heavy fall in the English market,"—though we have not heard that Mr. Pattison hurt himself. These little traits, however, display the too kindly heart of the poor Bourse. Music is the language of feeling : how is it that we have no " Songs of the Bourse "—no " Lyra Monetaria" or " City War- bler "? Mr. Bunn should look to this.
It is to be feared, however, that the Stock Exchange shares the morbid infirmities incidental to over-sensitive natures. Pain as well as pleasure is felt at observing the many traits of its nervous temperament, excited as it is by potatoes, by a fall of rain in the night, fluctuations in Louis Philippe's health, or even " a heavy fall" in the City. The Stock Exchange should certainly have advice,—relax its application to business, go out of town for change of air, adopt a frugal diet, and take bracing exercise. Who can be happy when our too precious Exchange gives occa- sion for solicitude by its hectic sensibility?
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