Chap. III.]

CULTIVATION OF THE MIND

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Dugald Stewart, “ which has not habits peculiar to itself; andwhich does not leave some powers of the mind dormant, whileit exercises and improves the rest. If we wish, therefore, tocultivate the mind to the extent of its capacity, we must not restsatisfied with that employment which its faculties receive fromour particular situation in life. A variety of exercises is neces-sary to preserve the animal frame in vigor and beauty ; and avariety of those occupations which literature and science afford,added to a promiscuous intercourse with the world, in the habitsof conversation and business, is no less necessary for the im-provement of the understanding.” Again he says, “It oughtnot to be the leading object of any one to become an eminentmetaphysician, mathematician, or poet; but to render himselfhappy as an individual, and an agreeable, a respectable, and auseful member of society. A man who loses his sight, improvesthe sensibility of his touch ; but who would consent, for such arecompense, to part with the pleasures which he receives fromthe eye ? ” *

So far as the acquisition of knowledge is concerned, it seemsto have been the settled conviction, probably from time imme-morial, that it is attainable by a very few only, — that it can heexpected to be attained only by men who have studied long inhalls devoted to learning, by professional men, and persons offortune and leisure, — and that it is not in the power of thehumbler classes of society, especially of those who subsist uponmanual labor and mechanical industry, to engage in the pursuit ofit with any reasonable hope of success. The Son of Sirach hasspoken the general sentiments, which men of every age andcountry seem to have been accustomed to entertain on this sub-ject. He says, in bis beautifully simple style, “ The wisdom ofa learned man cometh by opportunity of leisure ; and he thathath little business shall become wise. How can he get wisdomthat holdeth the plough, and that glorieth in the goad, that drivethoxen, and is occupied in their labors, and whose talk is of bul-locks ? He giveth his mind to make furrows ; and is diligentto give the kine fodder. So every carpenter and workmaster,

* Elements of the Philosophy of the Mind, Vol. I. pp. 18-20.

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