the exercise of all which have a direct relation to it. In proportion as the general tendency of the mind, its dispositions and habits of thought and action, are in opposition to self-control, to the promptings of benevolence, or to the duties of piety, will be the increased power of any vicious habit. In proportion as they are favourable to Christian duty, will be the support and safeguard of every one that is accordant with the principles of the gospel. Perhaps it is not too much to assert, that there is no moral habit which does not affect the whole moral system: if it be a bad one, in its degree it checks those which are right, it aids the influence of those which duty forbids; and on the other hand, every worthy habit properly exercised, contributes to cherish all those which are allied to it, and to weaken the influence of those which in our best moments we must desire to annihilate.

CONCLUSION. Our sketch of this important science is very incomplete; and we have been obliged to omit many things, to which we were desirous of directing the attention of our readers; but we shall be satisfied, if it give them a correct idea of some important fundamental principles which may serve as a guide to them in their own inquiries. If they should be disposed to investigate further the views of which an outline is here given, we may refer them to the articles Mental PHILOSOPHY and INTELLECTUAL and MORAL Education, in Dr. Rees's Cyclopedia; in which the writer has entered somewhat at large into several of the foregoing subjects, and into others, for which they will now be prepared. But if they have not access to these, or are desirous to advance more rapidly, they may proceed to the works of Stewart, Cogan, Locke, and Hartley. We should recommend them in the first place to confine themselves to the 5th, 6th, and 7th chapters, of the first volume of Mr. Stewart's Elements, since these are the most important, and other parts involve questions for which they will be better prepared, after having read Locke at least. They will then do well to proceed to

Dr. Cogan's highly valuable treatises on the Passions; because these contain a variety of excellent and important remarks on that part of our frame which supplies our chief springs of action; and the study of them, while it will benefit the heart, will prepare the understanding for the more difficult investigations respecting the intellectual powers. The study of Locke's Essay concerning the Human Understanding, should not be delayed any further: and the method which we should recommend is, to peruse the whole with care, marking in the table of contents, those chapters or sections which seem particularly to demand closer study. As they advance in this branch of knowledge, they will often have occasion to refer again to Locke; and parts, which at first appeared of little weight, will afterwards strike them as of great importance. But it would be of great service, if such an abridgment of Locke were given to the public, as should introduce to an acquaintance with all his important principles, without perplexing the young student with those parts which have little to do with mental philosophy, at least in its present state. After having gained an acquaintance with these principles, we recommend our readers to proceed to the study of Hartley's Observations; and in doing this, they will find it very advantageous to leave out, at the first perusal of that work, all the parts relating to the hypothesis of vibrations; or to take Dr. Priestley's abridg

ment.

After having made this progress, they will be prepared for the perusal of any work connected with the philosophy of the mind, to which their own taste, or accidental circumstances, may direct them. In Mr. Belsham's Elements they will find a valuable summary of the chief topics of metaphysical inquiry, connected with the philosophy of the human mind, together with references to the principal writers who have discussed them.*

We wish to mention here, that we are indebted to that work, for the plan of the Chap. on Association, and for several of the illustrations contained in it. And though originality is of much less consequence than utility, we ought also to state, that in several places we have, without particular acknowledge

Many parts of Dr. Reid's works proceed upon very erroneous principles: but the numerous profound and judicious observations they contain, connected with our moral and intellectual processes, will well repay the careful perusal of the student. Mr. Stewart's second volume will also claim his attention; and though his peculiar, and we doubt not errone. ous views of the nature of generalization, sometimes warp his conclusions, the profundity and value of his investigations respecting the understanding, can scarcely fail to be admitted by all who are competent to judge on the subject. We must also recommend to our readers, when their minds have been somewhat trained to mental investigation, "Tucker's Light of Nature pursued." There are few works on abstract science so calculated to call into exercise the powers of investigation, and to sharpen the penetration of the understanding. The author is diffuse, and not unfrequently far from precise in his modes. of expression; and it is not always easy to ascertain his drift: but his manner, even in the most abstruse parts, is so lively, his illustrations so numerous and striking, and yet so original and appropriate, and his observations, in themselves considered, so strongly marked by good sense, that philosophy is obliged to be continually on her guard, to prevent being carried on, unawares, to conclusions which, in her more sober moments, she must reject. In a variety of instances he has found the truth; and where he is less successful, he schools his reader to activity, acuteness, and vigour of thought.

The perusal of Mr. Stewart's works, will lead to an acquaintance with the French metaphysicians. Among them Condillac holds a distinguished place: and though no one accustomed to think for himself, can follow that philosopher

ment, derived our statements from the great work, which we cannot but regard as in some measure the Principia of Mental Science. If the reader should happen to have seen a little volume called Enfield's Elements of Mental and Moral Philosophy, he will perceive a resemblance between it and some parts of this book, which we wish to account for, by saying, that a great part of that volume was copied without permission or acknowledgement, from some articles on the subject inserted in Nicholson's British Encyclopedia.

through all his opinions, yet his writings are so perspicuous, and so much marked by good sense and important observations, that they deserve the attentive examination of every student of mental philosophy.

Beside these, the writers on education will furnish many important observations; and in this view we particularly refer to the works of Miss Edgeworth, and Miss Hamilton.

Before persons have acquired the power of entering readily into the discussions of mental philosophy, they will find it of great service, first to read over a work without too much minute attention to the several parts and difficulties which perplex them. After they have gained a general acquaintance with the author's views and principles, they may then proceed with double advantage and satisfaction to the study of the whole. Festina lente is the maxim which should be employed in every part of education and self-culture. Above every

thing we recommend that mixture of mental humility and independence, which on the one hand, will prevent the hasty rejection of important principles, because we do not at once see how they can be true; and on the other, that submission. to mere authority, which will prevent from gaining any consistent principles on subjects respecting which there is great diversity of opinion. The understanding should never be surrendered up to any author; and reflection on what passes within us should be constantly employed as the test of his statements respecting the operations of the mind. It should be carefully recollected, that one great value of the study of mental philosophy is to habituate the mind to attend to its own states and operations.

To conclude, the love of truth should influence us in all our investigations. The question should always be, not is this speculation ingenious and brilliant, but is it solid and just: and if truth be our real object, and we pursue it with patient attention, and under the guidance of good sense, and judicious reflection and observation, we can scarcely fail to attain what will reward us for our labour both in the culture of the understanding, and in the conduct of life.

MORAL PHILOSOPHY.

CHAP. XVI.

INTRODUCTION-CONSCIENCE-OBLIGATION.

Object of this Part-Moral Philosophy-Morality-Ethics-CasuistryNatural Law-Division-Nature of the CONSCIENCE-Formation-Importance as a Moral Guide-MORAL OBLIGATION-Remotest Obligation-Not necessarily the best rule.

MORAL PHILOSOPHY is that science which teaches the nature and obligation of duty. It has not for its object the precepts of duty, so much as the principles from which those precepts are derived.

In the pursuit of this science, it is of the utmost consequence to begin well. If the fundamental principles are correct, and they are made familiar to the mind, they will preserve from numerous errors of great practical importance. The leading object of this division will therefore be, to supply the reader with those elementary views, which may serve to direct and assist him in his future inquiries, and in the work of self-culture. And we are the more desirous of this, because, in the midst of great and striking excellencies, Paley's well-known work on Moral Philosophy, is founded on prin