article has already grown to a size, which makes it impossible for us to enter into a full examination of its contents. Two opinions, however, which are here advanced, well deserve to be mentioned. Mr. Stewart insists, at some length, that the powers of the imagination, instead of diminishing while we advance in life, become stronger and stronger as the judgment improves, and as our knowledge becomes more extensive. Sir Joshua Reynolds has in like manner ridiculed, as a contemptible prejudice, the common idea, that "imagination begins to grow dim in advanced age, smothered and deadened by too much judgment." And Dr. Johnson, in his preface to Shakspeare, has expressed an opinion in substance exceedingly similar. These authorities are great, and the theory which they maintain is exceedingly pleasing. Cicero ventures even further, insisting in the person of Cato, that the decay of memory in old age is only the consequence of inactivity.

We feel a little embarrassed with this question. There is a great deal of very plausible reasoning, which may be urged in favour of Mr. Stewart's opi nion; but we could marshal a melancholy array of facts in opposition to it. The truth seems to be, that there is nothing in the constitution of our nature which prevents the imagination from acquiring force, year after year, in proportion to the activity with which it is exerted, and the accumulation of riches which may minister to its expense. But in a busy community certainly, and perhaps in every

state of society, the habits of life are so exceedingly unfavourable to the improvement of the more elevated and creative faculties of the mind, that the ordinary opinion upon the subject, though resting upon an unphilosophical foundation, is, for practical purposes, sufficiently correct. Some, however, there are in every age, who triumph over the obstacles which our present imperfect condition opposes to the improvement of our intellectual powers; and where the principles of our nature, and the examples of its best patterns, concur to shew, that the disadvantages with which we have to contend are not insuperable, surely it is both wise and manly to exert our best energies to overcome them.

The other opinion to which we have alluded is so original, and so exceedingly important, with a view to the education of young persons, that we shall make no apology for giving it in Mr. Stewart's own words. It occupies the last two pages of his work.

Imagination herself furnishes the most effectual of all remedies against those errors of which she was in the first instance the cause. In proportion to the number and diversity of the objects to which she turns her attention, the dangers are diminished which are apt to arise from her illusions when they are suffered always to run in the same channel; and in this manner, while the sources of enjoyment become more copious and varicd, 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 the 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 ordinary 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 produces 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 object, (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 noble principles, will vanish for ever." pp 534, 535. VOL. II

H

The views here suggested by Mr. Stewart, are, we believe, considerably at variance with the practice of many pious and most respectable persons in this country, who think a far more cautious system than that which he recommends, expedient in the institution of youthful minds. It deserves, however, to be seriously considered, whether the ordinary practice has not been established upon contracted and erroneous views of human nature; and whether it does not, in effect, augment the evil which it proposes to correct. We beg, however, not to be understood as expressing at present an opinion upon this subject. It is our intention, when a convenient opportunity shall offer, to examine it more at large. In the mean time, we think it but just to say, that Mr. Stewart's experience and authority, in concurrence with the reasoning contained in our last extract, entitle his suggestions to the serious and impartial attention of every person who is placed in the relation of a parent or preceptor.

We have now brought our general survey of this work to a close; and Mr. Stewart cannot himself be more sensible than we are, of the imperfect justice that has been rendered to him.

It is impossible to retrace in thought the subjects discussed in this valuable volume, and the great variety of striking remarks, apt illustrations, and original authorities, which are employed to dignify and embellish every dissertation, without being impressed with a profound respect for the talents and

acquirements of the writer. Men seldom perform better than when they have occasion to defend themselves; and perhaps the resources of Mr. Stewart's mind are, in no part of this work, displayed to more advantage, than in the second Preliminary Dissertation, which contains a Reply to the Strictures of the Edinburgh Reviewers. Among the Essays, we think that on the Philological Speculations of Mr. Tooke, and the last two on Taste and certain intellectual Habits connected with it, are the most valuable.

Of Mr. Stewart's philosophical powers and attainments it is difficult to speak too highly. Few men have ever brought to any science a mind so comprehensive, so accurate, and so perfectly free from all prejudice of system or authority. His acquaintance with the metaphysical writers of different countries is probably more extensive than that of any other man of the present age, or in those which are past. His literary acquirements are also very considerable, both in our own and in the French languages. With the latter he appears to be more familiar than we could have expected in one, whose life has been principally employed in abstract researches. We recollect, indeed, no modern work which shews a more general insight into French literature; and there are parts which indicate a critical acquaintance with the language. To the Italian writers he rarely refers; but it would be rash to conclude from thence, that he is imperfectly acquainted with the productions of that