0!f REVERIE. 115 



than in the solemn gloom of a cafhedral. It is remarked 

 by an eminent medical writer, that light, introduced by 

 opening the window-shutters, gave a gayer cast to the 

 ideas of a patient who laboured under reverie. Tlvp study 

 of Tasso tvas a Gothic apartment; and he fancied his 

 familiar spirit to converse with him througJi a window o/ 

 stained glass. 



If we can contrive to effect, during the reverie, a frc- J^^ Enghsh 

 quent re-action of any circumstance connected with our culated to fir 

 original employment, we shall, by this means, frequently the mind, and 

 bring back the mind from its excursion. It has been as- P^^^^"' revc- 

 serted, in favour of the liturgy of the Church of England, 

 that, by being broken into short prayers, and interspersed 

 with frequent responses to be spoken by the people, it is 

 accommodated to the frailty of human nature, and has 

 proved an excellent method of recalling the mind, too apt 

 to wander, even from its most important, occupations^ 

 and its most sacred duties. 



A house of worship is certainly the most suitable place 

 for acts of devotion. The mind is no sooner inattentive, 

 than it sees around it objects connected with religion, 

 which upbraid its weakness and check its aberration. • 



I now come in the last place to enumerate the remedies Study Is a re 

 I would propose for the diseased state of the mind, which ^^^Y ^^^ t*^'* 

 has been the subject of the present dissertation — and"^^"^ e ec , 

 these all rest upon a single principle. The " vis insita" 

 of the mindj inclining, by a voluntary exertion to the side 

 of study, constitutes the power of resisting the seduce. 

 ments of external stimuli, and of bidding defiance to re- 

 verie : — and as reverie has been shewn to proceed from 

 mental relaxation and debility, so, whatever produces 

 mental vigour may be pronounced an antidote to it. 



Now mental vigour is, in great measure, regulated by —and so is bo- 

 the strength of the body ; so that literary persons, who ^^^^ vigour, 

 are desirous to preserve their minds in a proper disposi- 

 tion for studying with the greatest benefit, sliouid remem- 

 ber, that with respect to exemption from reverie, it is 

 only " in corpo^e sano'* that the " mens Sana" is to be 

 found. 



The first remedy accordingly which I shall mention is. This is pro- 

 frequent and habitual exposure to a pure and bracing motcd by cx- 

 Qa J. I. posure to the 



% atmosphere, Spcn air, 



