Chapter XIV: Fickleness--Stolidity--Stoicism

Illustrations of fickleness--Prof. Chamberlain's explanation--Fickleness a modern trait--Continuity of purpose in spite of changes of method--The youth of those on whom responsibility rests--Fluctuation of interest in Christianity not a fair illustration--The period of fluctuation is passing away--Impassiveness--"Putty faces"--Distinguish between stupidity and stoicism--Stupid stolidity among the farmers--Easily removed--Social stolidity cultivated--Demanded by the old social order--The influence of Buddhism in suppressing expression of emotion--An illustration of suppressed curiosity--Lack of emotional manifestations when the Emperor appears in public--Stolidity a social, not a racial trait--A personal experience--The increased vivacity of Christian women--Relations of emotional to intellectual development and to the social order, 159