operations of matter. Yet while in this, as well as in many other matters, we feel surrounded with the imperfections of our nature, and forbidden to enter where only pure intelligences dwell-where these mysteries of Omnipotence are fully known, and contemplated with admiring wonder and delight, there are within the scope of human sagacity inexhaustible treasures of science unexplored, and fully attainable, to reward the patient and laborious inquirer after truth.

§ 7. But to proceed in our remarks on physical education; while we say we cannot comprehend the nature of those organs connected with the percipient principle, there can be no doubt that their efficiency greatly depends upon the bodily system. Indeed, no one that has paid any attention to the operation of the faculties of the mind, can be ignorant of the different degrees of power with which they act at various times, and under different circumstances. None has remained unconscious of the effects of physical excitement, of exhaustion, and of disease, on the mental economy. It is considered as an established truth in mental science, that sensations are the rudiments of all our mental pleasures and pains, and also of all our intellectual ideas, except those immediately derived from consciousness. The vividness of these sensations no doubt depends on the condition of the bodily functions, and the great diversity of these functions. may account for all the known varieties in sensation. There can be no doubt that the power of retention depends also very much upon the state of the corporeal system, as well as that of the memory connected with the associative and retentive powers. It is observable, with what facility a boy can learn his task at one time compared with that of another; and it is also well known how much the whole mental energies are prostrated by physical exhaustion induced by various causes; and that occasioned by the sultry heats

of summer is not without being felt and complained of, particularly by students and professional gentlemen. In fact, every writer well knows the marked difference between the quantity and quality of summer and winter compositions.

§ 8. While we thus speak of the difference experienced in the capacities and powers of sensation, perception, association, memory, and we may also add the imagination and understanding, under different conditions of the corporeal system, we would be understood at the same time to admit, that there is also an original difference in all the faculties of the mind, and an endless difference arising out of the compound.* The first of the above faculties, probably by its very nature, depends upon original peculiarities of the phy-" sical organization, the varieties of which are indefinitely great, if we may judge from external appearances. The other faculties seem to be derived from the very stamina of the soul, and are equally diversified. This indeed is the only true foundation of the almost infinite diversity of talents so obvious to the most superficial observer, and the only correct philosophic principle explanatory of the fact.

§9. The business of physical education is, to preserve not only what are generally known by the appellation of the external organs of sensation, but the whole muscular and nervous system, in a good and vigorous state; and this not only with a view to the health of the body, but also to the intellectual and moral welfare, involving the true excellence as well as happiness of the individual.

§ 10. But while we speak of the bodily functions acting on those of the mind, we would be understood also, at the same time, to recognise a reciprocal action of the mind on the body. In proof of this, we have only to appeal to common experience, wherein dyspepsia, headaches, and a pain

See Note A.

ful train of nervous affections, have evidently been induced by various mental excitements, such as close study, anxieties, bereavements, and afflictive trials. Instances have been. known, wherein great fear has had so powerful an effect on the corporeal sy stem, that the hair has suddenly become gray. It is also well known to anatomists, that permanent mental derangement has produced on the brain the most decided visible impressions. Indeed, the whole corporeal being is strongly under the influence of the mind. How often is it observable, that not only the physiognomy, but the whole physical economy of individuals, have undergone a visible change, after a long course of laborious literary training, wherein doubtless the mental faculties have acted powerfully upon the corporeal system.

§ 11. The body certainly is first under process of formation; but notwithstanding, it may at first seem difficult to discover whether matter or spirit has the predominant influ

This is an interesting subject, and deserves some attention. Although, as we have said, the modus operandi of matter on spirit, or the contrary, is beyond the comprehension of the human intellect, yet the subject of predominance fairly comes within the scope of human observation and investigation, being in reality nothing more than sensible or conscious effects, produced by reciprocating causes. To be clearly understood in this matter, we say that if physical, or what is usually called animal appetites and passions, govern the mind, (which is the case in the brute creation,) the physical nature (or matter) predominates in its influence over, and thus enslaves the mind, and which, in the language of scripture, is declared to be "carnally minded." Some here confound the appetites and passions of human nature with the moral being, but the distinction we have fully made in note C. It is evident, from every principle that governs the mental and organic being, that

the infant is first under physical influence, and that this influence will predominate for a considerable time. But on the expansion of intelligence, there will be the pure action of mind in a variety of forms, occasionally governing the corporeal being. Physical appetites and passions will, however, take the general control of the mind, so that his attention is almost constantly directed, in some form or other, to the means of animal gratifications. This, alas! is too often the case, even among well grown children, whose intellects and morals have never been so cultivated as to give these the ascendancy and control over the animal propensities.

§ 12. The peculiarities of the mind, and that of the percipient principle itself, may no doubt influence the capacity of sensation; and considering the highly exalted nature of that indestructible spark which, from the breath of the Almighty, kindled into life the animal functions of our corporeal being, may we not justly conclude that the higher influences, if not perverted, come from the nobler part of our nature? Some indeed have asserted, that all sensations are purely spiritual; derived indeed from the bodily organs, but which, they say, are merely the inlets of all possible pleasure and pain, but not the direct source of them. They therefore assert, that the eye does not see, and the ear does not hear; and in so doing they take from man his animal nature, through which sensations operate, and by which intelligence is reached. The spirit, by such a misapprehension, is made to depend on the body for its resources as well as its sustentation; while the body is only represented as an unconscious instrument, because, forsooth, it becomes so as soon as separated from the spirit at death; or perhaps, more properly speaking, having deprived the spirit of its tenement and vital resources of action in death. The spirit, under these circumstances, must necessarily perish with

the body in eternal oblivion. Thus it is, that man in his folly would at one time invest the spirit with all the powers of sensation, and then again sink it down beneath the dignity of the body, by an entire dependence on it. To say that the body is unconscious, is to deny to it the very qualities which peculiarly distinguish it from inanimate matter; and to assume the untenable ground that the higher part of our nature is dependent, not only for its pleasures and pains, but very existence, on that of the lower, at once sinks man to a level with the brute creation, and leaves his spirit in the degraded condition of mere materialism. If the fact be not the entire reverse in all these particulars, at least it is very evident that the body is dependent on the spirit for its vitality; while the spirit having directly derived its being, according to reason and scripture, not from matter, but from the very fountain of all being, whose whole attributes are eternal, its immortality is rendered altogether independent of the body, and must necessarily survive the wreck of its matter, and the disorganization of its tenement.

§13. The thing called life, exists in a variety of grades and forms; and it may be the active principle manifested in forming the lowest order of organic matter, under similar influences, known in various attractions and affinities observable in electricity, magnetism, and galvanism.'. It may exist in a more elevated and interesting character in the formation, preservation and growth of the vegetable and animal kingdom, by a modification of the same general laws. But, as connected with the immortal mind, it must necessarily rise in its character and operations far elevated above those which have been suggested. In man, as a complex being, it may exist in all its varieties of form. Something of this has long been recognised in the philosophic world, when to man is ascribed the union of a vegetative, sensitive, rational and moral nature.