brain, is the cause that produces the weakening and depressing effect upon it, which makes solitary confinement so severe a punishment even to the most daring minds. It is a lower degree of the same cause, which renders continuous seclusion from society so injurious to both mental and bodily health, and which often occasions the situation of governesses to be one of misery and bad health, even where every kindness is meant to be shewn towards them. In many families, the governess lives so secluded that she is as much out of society as if she were placed in solitary confinement: with feelings as acute and a judgment as sound as those of the persons who scarcely notice her, she is denied opportunities of gratifying the first or expressing the last, merely because she is only the governess!" Beyond all question, much unhappiness, and not unfrequently madness itself, are unintentionally caused by such cold and inconsiderate treatment: and, for the same reason those who are cut off from social converse, by any bodily infirmity, often become discontented and morose in spite of their strongest resolutions to the contrary. The feelings and faculties of the mind, which formerly had full play in the intercourse of society, have no longer scope for sufficient exercise, and the almost inevitable result is irritability and weakness in the corresponding parts of the brain. This fact, Dr. C. adds, is particularly observed among the deaf and blind, from their being cut off from a full participation in the same sources of interest as their more favoured brethren; but, we must not infer from this, that the deaf, the dumb, and the blind are therefore constitutionally inferior in mind to other men. No; it is because they live isolated from society, that their powers are not developed place them, by some means or other, in relation with their fellow men, and they will become their equals. Keeping this principle in view, he concludes, we shall not be surprised to find that non exercise of the brain or, in other words, inactivity of intellect and of feeling, is a very frequent predisposing cause of every form of nervous disease.

Having farther illustrated the foregoing propositions, Dr. C. next considers the evils arising from excessive or ill-timed exercise of the brain or any of its parts. When, he observes, we use the eye too long or in too bright a light, it becomes blood-shot, and the increased action of its vessels and nerves gives rise to a sensation of fatigue and pain requiring us to desist: if we turn away the eye, the irritation gradually subsides; but, if we continue to look intently, or resume our employment before the eye has regained its natural state by repose, the irritation at last becomes permanent, and disease may ensue. Precisely the same things occur when, from intense mental excitement, the brain is kept long in a state of excessive activity: the only difference is, that we can always see what happens in the eye, but rarely what takes place in the brain occasionally, there are cases of fractured skull wherein, from part of the bone being removed, we can see the quickened circulation in the vessels of the brain as easily as in those of the eye. We are conscious, indeed, of a flow of blood to the head when we think intently, or are roused by passion; and the distension of the small vessels of the brain is not the less real or influential on account of its being hidden from our view: too often it reveals itself by its effects when least expected, and leaves traces, after death, which are but too legible. How many public men, urged on by ambition or natural eagerness of mind, have been suddenly arrested in their career, by the inordinate action of the brain induced by incessant toil; and, how many more have had their mental powers for ever impaired by similar excess; when much exhausted, the brain

becomes incapable of thought, and consciousness is almost lost in a feeling of utter confusion.

Excessive and continued mental exertion is hurtful at any time; but, in infancy and early youth, when the structure of the brain is immature and delicate, permanent mischief is more easily inflicted by injudicious treatment than at any subsequent period. Scrofulous and rickety children are the most usual sufferers in this way: generally, they are remarkable for large heads, great precocity of understanding, and small delicate bodies; but, this great size of the brain, and acuteness of mind, are the results of morbid development; and, even with the best management, such children pass the first years of life constantly on the brink of active disease. Instead, however, of trying to repress this activity, the fond parents, misled by the early promise of genius, too often excite the brain still farther, by unceasing cultivation of the mind, and the never-failing stimulus of praise and emulation; and, finding the young one's progress for a time, equal to their warmest wishes, they look forward with ecstacy to the day when its talents will break forth and shed a lustre on its name. But, in exact proportion as the picture becomes brighter to their fancy, the probability of its being realized becomes less; as the brain, worn out by premature exertion, either becomes diseased or loses its tone, leav ing the mental powers slow and depressed for the remainder of life; or leading, in instances not a few, to an early death.

Taking for our guide, the necessities of the constitution, the doctor adds, p. 280, it will be obvious that we ought to reverse the modes of treatment commonly employed in such cases; and that, instead of straining to the uttermost the already over-active powers of the precocious child, and leaving his dull competitor to ripen at leisure, a systematic attempt ought to be made, from early infancy, to rouse to action the languid faculties of the latter, while no pains ought to be spared to moderate and give tone to the activity of the former. Much mischief is done to young persons by the long school hours, and continued application of mind which the present system of education requires. The Law of Exercise, that long sustained action exhausts the vital powers of an organ, applies equally to the brain as to the muscles; and, hence the necessity of varying the occupations of the young, and of allowing frequent intervals of active exercise in the open air, instead of enforcing the continued confinement now so common. We entreat those of our readers who are parents to study these selections with profound and renewed attention; but, at the same time, to regard them as inducements only to adopt the precious volume of Dr. Combe, for the guide of their own and their chlidren's health and mental culture.

Having discussed, at large and most impressively, the evils arising both from inadequate and from excessive mental exertion, Dr. Combe at p. 291, proceeds to direct the reader's attention to some of the conditions required for the proper exercise of the brain and mind. It is a law of the animal economy, that two classes of functions cannot be called into vigorous action at the same time, without one or other, or both, sooner or later sustaining injury. Hence the important rule, never to enter upon continued mental exertion, or to rouse deep feeling, immediately after a full meal, because the activity of the brain is sure to interfere with that of the stomach and to disorder its functions. Even in a perfectly healthy person, unwelcome news, sudden anxiety, or mental excitement occurring after eating, will put an entire stop to digestion, and cause the stomach to loathe at the sight of food. The worst forms of indigestion and nervous depression, are those which

arise from excessive application of mind, or turmoil of feeling, conjoined with unrestrained indulgence in the pleasures of the table. In such circumstances, the stomach and brain re-act upon and disturb each other, till all the horrors of nervous disease make their unwelcome appearance, and render life miserable. Literary men and hard students know this fact from sad experience; but, as they are not aware of the incompatibility of the two processes of active thinking and active digestion going on at the same time, it is extremely difficult to give them a sense of their danger, and to convince them that an hour after a meal is more profitably spent in easy relaxation than in the labour of composition. Farther, it is of great advantage to engage in severer studies early in the day, and to devote the two or three hours which precede bed-time, to lighter reading, music, or amusing conversation. Such was Sir Walter Scott's distribution of his time, and such is that of our ablest living writers.

Another rule to be observed in cultivating the brain and mental faculties, is founded on that law of our constitution which directs each organ to be exercised directly upon its own objects. When we wish, for example, to teach the graceful and rapid evolutions of fencing, we employ our chief attention in making the muscles themselves go through these evolutions, till, by frequent repetition and correction, they acquire the requisite quickness and precision of action. When we teach music, we train the ear to the accurate discrimination of sounds, and the hand to the reproduction of the motions which call them into existence. We follow this plan, because the laws of organi_ zation require direct practice, and we feel instinctively that we can succeed only by obeying them. Now, says the doctor emphatically, p. 300, the purely mental faculties, being connected during life with material organs, are subjected to precisely the same law; and therefore, if we wish to improve the reasoning powers, we must exercise them regularly in tracing the causes and relations of things: in like manner, if our aim is to develope the sentiments of friendship, benevolence, justice or devotion, we must exercise each of them directly and for its own sake, otherwise neither it nor its organ will ever acquire promptitude or strength.

Like all his other writings, this volume of Dr. C.'s abounds with original, pertinent, and truly philosophical observations. Every page of his work is characterized by a spirit of pure and fervid philanthropy; and, the practical instructions wherewith it is replete, are announced in a strain of modest but pathetic eloquence which irresistibly fixes the mind and prepares it to profit by the fruits of his experience, ripened by reflection and judgment. For the present, we take farewell of this excellent and zealous instructor, by extracting the subsequent remarks; and we pronounce our valediction with sentiments of the highest admiration and respect. At p. 303, Dr. C. expostulates with his readers in these terms "as God has given us bones and muscles, and blood-vessels, and nerves, for the purpose of being used, let us not despise the gift, but consent at once to turn them to account, and to reap health and vigour as the reward which He has associated with moderate labour. As he has given us lungs to breathe with, and blood to circulate, let us give up the folly of shutting ourselves up with so little intermission in rooms in inactive study and sedentary occupations, and consent to inhale copiously and freely that wholesome atmosphere which His benevolence has spread around us. As He has given us appetites and organs of digestion, let us profit by His bounty, and earn their enjoyment by healthful exercise. As He has given us a moral and a social nature, which is invigorated by activity, and im

paired by solitude and restraint, let us cultivate good feeling, and act towards each other on principles of kindness, justice, forbearance, and mutual assistance. He has given us intellect, let us exercise it in seeking knowledge of His works and of His laws, and in tracing out the relation in which we stand towards Him, towards our fellow men, and towards the various objects of the external world. And, in perfect faith and sincerity, let us rely upon His promise that, in so doing, we shall have a rich reward-a reward a thousand times more pure, more permanent, and more delightful, than we can ever hope to experience in following our own blind devices, regardless of his will and intentions towards us."

Burnes' Travels into Bokhara.-Second notice.

The great tact and high moral courage which Lieutenant Burnes had displayed in his voyage up the Indus, induced the Governor-General to confide to him the conduct of a second expedition then in embryo; and which was intended to explore the countries beyond that river.

The same defects of style and want of arrangement which we reprehended in our traveller's first narrative, are equally conspicuous in the volumes now before us; a circumstance which renders it unnecessary for us to repeat our former observations upon that subject. We shall, therefore, proceed at once to give a short analysis of Lieutenant Burnes' second expedition, in the full confidence that those who are desirous of a more intimate acquaintance with countries hitherto so little known, will not fail to consult the book itself; which, with all its defects, contains as powerful a description of natural scenes, and human manners, as any work which has of late years issued from the British press.

On the 2nd of January, 1832, Lieut. Burnes, having been previously furnished with all necessary passports, left Lodiana, in company with Mr. James Gerard, of the Bengal army, and shortly afterwards entered the territory of Runjeet Sing. The same hospitality which he had experienced during his former visit awaited him on the present occasion. A month was passed in hunting, hawking, and banquetting, all which were kept up with true Oriental splendour. The following paragraph, which we transcribe from our countryman's account of the farewell entertainment given by the Maharaja, will serve to shew how far the real magnificence of the present native rulers of India outdoes all the fictitious scenes which embellish the pages of the Arabian Nights.

"We met in a garden, and proceeded with him to the appointed place, which was superbly illuminated with waxen tapers on the occasion. Bottles filled with different coloured water were placed near the lights, and increased the splendour. We were first conducted to the great hall, the ancient seat of the Mogul emperors, which is about seventy feet long, and opened to the front by an arched colonnade of marble. The ceiling and walls are entirely inlaid with mirrors, or gilded; and on this occasion presented a scene of great magnificence. There are many parts of this place, which, like that of Delhi, evidently owe much of their architectural beauty to the genius of an European artist. We withdrew from the great hall to a small apartment, the bed-room of the Maharaja, where it was intended that the festivities of the evening should take place. Captain Wade and Dr. Murray were likewise present; and we sat round his highness on silver chairs. In one end of the room stood a camp bedstead, which merits a description. Its frame-work, posts, and legs, were entirely covered with gold, and the canopy was one massy sheet of the same precious metal. It stood on footstools raised about ten inches from the ground, and which were also of gold. The curtains were of Cashmere shawls. Near it stood a round chair of gold; and in one of the upper rooms of the palace we saw the counterpart of these costly ornaments. The candles that lighted up the

apartments were held in branch sticks of gold. The little room in which we sat was superbly gilded; and the side which was next the court was closed by a screen of yellow silk. Here we enjoyed the society of our royal entertainer, who freely circulated the wine, filled our glasses himself, and gave every encouragement by his own example. Runjeet drinks by the weight, and his usual dose does not exceed that of eight pice; but on this occasion he had quaffed the measure of eighteen. His favourite beverage is a spirit distilled from the grapes of Cabool, which is very fiery, and stronger than brandy. In his cups he became very amusing, and mentioned many incidents in his private life. Supper

was introduced, and consisted of different kinds of meats, richly cooked, and which, in contrast to the surrounding magnificence, were handed up in leaves sewed into the shape of cups. They contained hare, partridge, pork, and all sorts of game, &c. of which Runjeet partook freely, and handed to us. There were also a variety of confections and ices: but it is easier to describe these matters of fact than the scene in which they took place. We broke up long past midnight."

Upon leaving the courts of Lahore, it was deemed advisable that our travellers should lay aside the European costume, and assume that of the countries through which they were to proceed; not, however, with the intention of passing themselves off as natives, but for the sole purpose of avoiding a good deal of the curiosity and observation which so unusual a garb as that of the western world would necessarily attract. Our author's own description of the change cannot be otherwise than interesting.

"We threw away all our European clothes, and adopted, without reserve, the costume of the Asiatic. We exchanged our tight dress for the flowing robe of the Afghans, girt on swords and 'kummerbunds' (sashes); and, with our heads shaved, and groaning under ponderous turbans, we strutted about slipshod; and had now to uncover the feet instead of the head. We gave away our tents, beds, and boxes, and broke our tables and chairs. A hut, or the ground, we knew must be our shelter, and a coarse carpet or mat our bed. A blanket, or 'kummul," served to cover the native saddle, and to sleep under during night; and the greater portion of my now limited wardrobe found a place in the 'roorjeen," or saddle bags, which were thrown across the horse's quarters. A single mule for each of us carried the whole of our baggage, with my books and instruments; and a servant likewise found a seat upon the animal." *

*

Having bade adieu to this hospitable prince, our countrymen hastened forward towards the territory of the Afghans, which they reached on the 14th of March, after having crossed the Indus about five miles above Attock. They here observed a singular phenomenon, one indeed for which no probable cause can be assigned. A species of ignis fatuus composed of two, three, or even four lights, ranged within a few yards of each other, was visible during the whole of the night; and the same appearance, so said the natives, continued during the whole of the rainy season. Lieut. Burnes suggests that it may arise either from the reflection of the water upon those parts of the rock which had been smoothed by the current, or, what in our opinion is more probable, from the "exhalation of some gas from a fissure in the rock, which its position prevented him from examining." We are the more inclined to prefer the latter theory, as we have ourselves witnessed a similar phenomenon in the Duke of Bridgewater's tunnel at Worsley, in the county of Lancaster, where a constant stream of inflammable air floats, as it were, on the surface of the rock, though there be no visible opening whence it might issue.

"We had now," says our author, "quitted the territories of Hindoostan, and entered on a land where covetousness of a neighbour's goods is the ruling passion; we therefore marched with our baggage. Our few servants were also divided into