ner, while the sources of enjoyment become more copious and varied, the concomitant pains and inconveniences disappear. This conclusion coincides with a remark in that chapter of the Philosophy of the Human Mind which relates to Imagination;-that, by a frequent and habitual exercise of this faculty, we at once cherish its vigour, and bring it more and more under our command." As we can withdraw the attention "at pleasure from objects of sense, and transport "ourselves into a world of our own, so, when we "wish to moderate our enthusiasm, we can dismiss "the objects of imagination, and return to our or 66 dinary perceptions and occupations. But in a "mind to which these intellectual visions are not "familiar, and which borrows them completely "from the genius of another, imagination, when "once excited, becomes perfectly ungovernable, and produces something like a temporary insanity."— "Hence," I have added, " the wonderful effects "of popular eloquence on the lower orders; effects "which are much more remarkable than what it pro"duces on men of education." In the history of Imagination, nothing appears to me more interesting than the fact stated in the foregoing passage; suggesting plainly this practical lesson, that the early and systematical culture of this faculty, while it is indispensably necessary to its future strength and activity, is the most effectual of all expedients for subjecting it, in the more serious concerns of life, to the supremacy of our rational powers. And, in truth, I apprehend it will be found, that, by accustoming it in childhood to a frequent change of its objects (one set of illusions being continually suffered to efface the impressions of another), the understanding may be more successfully invigorated than by any precepts addressed directly to itself; and the terrors of the nursery, where they have unfortunately overclouded the infant mind, gradually and insensibly dispelled, in the first dawning of reason. The momentary belief with which the visions of imagination are always accompanied, and upon which many of its pleasures depend, will continue unshaken; while that permanent or habitual belief, which they are apt to produce, where it gains the ascendant over our nobler principles, will vanish for ever. But the subject grows upon me in extent, and rises in importance, as I proceed; and the size of my Volume reminds me, that it is now more than time to bring these speculations to a close. Here, therefore, I pause for the present ;—not, however, without some hope of soon resuming a more systematical analysis of our Intellectual Powers and Capacities. 7 |