100 REMARKS ON DR. CALDWELL'S 



the doctor takes a necessary precaution not to be misunderstood in 

 making this assertion ; and, in an especial manner, he disclaims all 

 intention of offering by it any irreverence toward the Christian 

 religion. He might have added, with a view to prevent miscon- 

 struction, that as in this world the mind and brain are correlative 

 and coefficient, so the former, which may be reckoned a self expan- 

 sive essence, is inherently and necessarily prone to approximate per- 

 fection in activity and power, to the utmost degree whereof its or- 

 gans in the brain are, by nature or education, qualified to be the 

 mere physical instruments. We should not say that a large and 

 energetic brain makes the mind comprehensive and vigorous : it 

 would be better to conclude that the mind is ever able to use rightly 

 the best brain wherewith it may be placed in a state of coexistence. 

 As the work of an artist is affected by the quality of his instru- 

 ments, so are the mind's operations affected by the quality of the 

 cerebral instruments wherewith the mind performs its operations. 

 The Doctor's meaning is, that whatever agency, divine or human, 

 may bring about in man the change productive of a millenial condi- 

 tion, that change will consist in an improved organization — an or- 

 ganization made perfect by influence from above, or by education, 

 perfect in its principles and suitably administered. Come, how- 

 ever, the amending power from what quarter it may — and before 

 men can be fit members of a millenial state — they must have the 

 fine organization of John, the beloved disciple, rather than that of 

 Judas, which rendered him no less unsightly than treacherous. In 

 the mean time, he concludes, it is our duty, both as moralists and 

 christians, to make, by human means, as near an approach as prac- 

 ticable to millenial perfection ; and an approach of great value to 

 our race can be made by a well-concerted and well-administered 

 scheme of education. 



Dr. Caldwell next proposes, answers, and illustrates the question, 

 Can the organs of the brain be increased in size, as well as rendered 

 more adroit and vigorous in action by any process of training ? 

 His answer is, — Yes, with as much certainty as the muscles of the ex- 

 tremities can be increased in size, provided the process be commenced 

 in childhood. On this principle depends the perfectibility of man ; 

 he means the susceptibility of the highest improvement compatable 

 with the laws imposed on the human nature. As regards aug- 

 mentation and diminution, power and weakness, the brain is govern- 

 ed by the same laws which regulate other portions of organic mat- 

 ter. Dr. C, however, does not say that it can be increased in bulk, 

 by exercise, as much as muscles ; but that it can be increased as 



