discretion; and that judgment should be animated by zeal. For the control of volition over the mind may be exercised for the vilest, just as for the best, of purposes; and may guide the machinations of a Borgia, as well as the studies of a Newton. And, if the human will be once completely surrendered to the dominion of an idea, the unnatural ruler is apt to run riot with its captive, leading it into the depths of bigotry, or through the mazes of fanaticism; and always liable to be exhausted by the very violence of its own manifestations. Then, follow the phenomena of mental reaction. The idea first in possession is succeeded by another, commonly of a directly opposite character; and, after the occurrence of a few similar changes, the mind loses its individuality, and, like a mirror, does but passively reflect the appearances of external objects.

When an emotion is actually aroused, but when, as yet, neither its ordinary nor its extraordinary effects upon the system have been produced, these may be prevented, in nearly every instance, by active volitional exertion of any kind. Bodily exertion is to be preferred, inasmuch as it is more easily commenced, and is less liable to interruption; but mental exertion will answer the purpose, for those, at least, who know how to practise it. It would seem that, as there is a necessary limit to the amount of nervous force which an individual can develop in a given time, so it is in the power of the will to make a full demand upon this amount; and to cause its entire expenditure through a given channel; thus selecting an outlet that shall do away with the necessity for others; and shall afford

to he system the relief that is required. Runjeet Singh, the famous "Lion of Mysore," being enraged at the terms of a treaty proposed to him by the British government, sprang upon a horse, and for some time galloped furiously about the plain. When the exercise had sufficiently cooled his blood, he returned to our astonished envoy, and resumed the interrupted negotiation with dignity and calmness. The Rev. Henry Rogers, in his preface to the life of John Howe, bears touching testimony to the value of intellectual labour for the mitigation of the sufferings of grief. But whether the labour be physical or intellectual, those who would profit by it must do it with their might; and must continue it, either until the emotion is felt to have subsided, or until a sense of fatigue demands the repose of sleep.

The explanation above given of the utility of exercise in the control of emotion, is not only in perfect harmony with the general principles of nervous activity, and with the doctrines laid down in the foregoing pages; but is strikingly confirmed by the apathy which results from excessive fatigue. A person who is thoroughly tired will hear either the most gratifying or the most shocking intelligence with composure; as if the nervous centres were exhausted of their force; and required time for recovery before a further quantity could be developed. After sleep, the information that has been received again presents itself to the consciousness; its true import becomes fully appreciated; and the consequent emotions are for the first time aroused. Such a statement as this can, of course, only be made comparatively; because, for every in

dividual there may be certain moral stimulants which would excite and maintain central activity; until the cessation of life rendered that activity impossible. But, in a general sense, the facts will be as described; and will admit of perfect illustration from many of the petty events of life, as well as from its greatest trials and its most appalling dangers. The tired man of business returns to his home at night, and yawns over a tale that would have excited his interest or his anger in the morning. The shipwrecked emigrant, who has been cast on shore after buffeting with the waves, will sleep long and quietly as soon as he arrives at a place of refuge; and although he may be aware of the loss of his friends, of the destruction of his property, of the failure of his cherished hopes-these are calamities which, at that time, he does not distinctly feel or realise. From evidence of this sort, we may safely conclude that energetic volitional efforts will appropriate emotional force for their fulfilment; and will ensure the complete absence both of its expressive and of its morbid results. If the emotion be of a transient character, a single effort will commonly suffice for its removal; but if it be more persistent, it will be necessary, upon the subsidence of fatigue, to return with assiduity to the plan of action that has been laid down.

The futility and danger of direct y repressive efforts, exerted in opposition to emotional force, has already received incidental mention; but the subject is sufficiently important to excuse a brief repetition of what has been advanced. It may be conceded that, even when an emotion is fairly established, its effects are

under the direct control of the will in some degree, and for a certain time; but as each of the opposing forces is liable to numerous variations of strength, so neither the degree nor the time can be exactly estimated. And, unless the emotion be very slight, its influence will be found to possess a cumulative property; so that, after being kept down for a longer or shorter period, it will be apt to break forth with greater violence than at first; and through other and more dangerous channels. Hence it is evident that the will cannot be usefully exerted in a direct attempt to restrain the external manifestations of feeling; because it is almost certain to be conquered by them at last, leaving the system minus the amount of power that has been expended in a fruitless effort; and liable to a destructive explosion, because its natural safetyvalves have been forbidden to discharge their office.

Throughout the whole of the foregoing chapter, it has been a chief object to impress the mind of the reader with the facts stated at its commencement; that is to say, with the essential activity of the emotional state; and with the knowledge that this state is not only an ordinary and energetic cause of direct bodily changes, but also a cause whose effects cannot be repressed, or kept in abeyance. Unless produced in the natural order of things, or in a manner determined by the guiding influence of the will, they will inevitably overpower the system at its weakest point ; and will issue in evils of greater or less moment, but whose duration or extent it is not always possible to foresee.

CHAPTER IV.

THE NATURE AND EFFECTS OF ATTENTION.

Perhaps the best definition that can be given of Attention is, that it consists in the prolonged occupation of the brain by a single idea, or of the sensorium, by a single feeling. The existence of this state, and especially its relation to the faculty of Memory, have long been matters of familiar knowledge; but were scarcely made the subjects of scientific research, until Mr. Dugald Stewart perceived and explained their importance. Since his day, the attentional state has been observed more carefully than before; and has been found to furnish many remarkable facts, and much material for examination, not only to the mental philosopher, but also to the physiologist and the practical physician. The elegant essay of Sir Henry Holland has recently brought many circumstances connected with attention under the notice of the public; and the more profound writings of Dr. Carpenter have impressed these with a stamp significant of their currency and value. The scope of the present chapter will, therefore, be limited to a brief review of facts