BOOK FIRST.

OF THE DUTIES MEN OWE

TO THEMSELVES.

PART II.

DUTIES CONCERNING THE MIND.

ON THE FACULTIES AND FUNCTIONS OF THE HUMAN MIND.

AS ALL philosophy is founded in the knowledge of nature—that is, of the things that really exist -and as all things that really exist, as far as we are concerned in them and capable of obserying them, are either bodies or spirits, philosophy consists of two parts: the philosophy of body, and the philosophy of spirit or mind.

By the mind or spirit or soul of man, we mean that part of his constitution which is capable of perceiving, thinking, feeling, willing, and without which his body would be a senseless, motionless, and lifeless thing. By the faculties of the mind, we mean those capacities which it has of exerting itself in perceiving, thinking, &c.

The philosophy of mind explains the nature of these several powers and faculties.

Mental philosophy has sometimes been called. abstract philosophy, because it treats of things abstracted from matter; and sometimes it has been called moral philosophy, because of its influence on life and manners. A distinction, however, should be made between them. Mental philosophy properly, as we have said, treats only of the nature of mind and how its various faculties do act; while moral philosophy shows how the mind should act-that is, what is the right exercise of the mind, and how men should conduct themselves in the ordinary affairs of life.

These two subjects cannot be treated of separately, as in order to know how to act, we must know how the mind really does act; hence in the following lessons we have referred to the nature and functions of the various faculties of the mind, in order to make our remarks on its conduct and government intelligible to our readers.

Various divisions of the faculties of the mind have been made which need not here be specified. As the basis or groundwork of the following lessons, we have divided the faculties into 1. the Senses; 2. the Intellect; 3. the Emotions; 4. the Will. The faculties embraced by each of these divisions are treated of in their proper places in the following pages.

Having said thus much, we may confine ourselves in the remainder of these introductory

remarks to a few general reflections on the importance of a study of the mind as necessary to right conduct, and the dignity which its possession confers on man.

In order to understand the world in which we live, our own bodies, the capacities of our minds, the adaptation of the one to the other, and the conduct we ought to pursue in life in order to the fulfilment of the purposes of our existence, it is of the first consequence that we should study the constitution of the mind itself, as the great instrument and interpreter of the various other subjects of inquiry. Nobody ever made much progress in knowledge without having his curiosity excited, from time to time, to learn how he arrived at the knowledge he possessed, what more it was possible for him to acquire, and what is not within the reach of his faculties.

The study of the mind is interesting as well as necessary. It is interesting from its proximity and from its special relation to ourselves. Where is the history that can be more captivating to any human being than the history of his own mind? What history is more replete with materials for future guidance and improvement? Such a study, therefore, has its special pleasures.

The study of the mind has also its facilities. It may be observed at all times and all places. We carry our minds with us wherever we go. All other sciences afford materials for the study

of mind. Language, by which the expressions of the mind are conveyed, offers its aid. It expresses the minds of others. The minds of all men have so many points of resemblance and agreement, that by them every individual is assisted in the endeavour to read his own. It must be admitted that the objects of this study are very numerous and very complex. But on this very account it forms one of the most excellent means of mental discipline, and is therefore to be highly valued.

In reference to man as the possessor of mind, what dignity do its powers confer upon him! He stands pre-eminent among sublunary objects, and is distinguished by remarkable endowments above all other terrestrial beings. His thoughts are not limited by any narrow bounds, either of He carries his researches into space or time. the most distant regions of the globe, and beyond the globe to the planets and heavenly bodies; looks backward to consider the origin of the human race, casts his eyes forward to see the influence of his actions upon posterity, and the judgments which will be formed of his character a thousand years hence. He traces causes and effects through many intricacies and to great lengths, and extracts general principles from particular appearances; improves upon his discoveries, corrects his mistakes, and makes his very errors profitable. On the other hand, when we look at the animal creation, we see a creature