532 Reverie, considered as 



any subject, and to pursue it till it is thoroughly 

 investigated.* 



Here, however, a caution is necessaty. 

 Elegant literature and the fine arts, although 

 thus paralysing to the mind when they are 

 made the main object of pursuit, may in certain 

 cases be called in with advantage, as remedies 

 for reverie. When the mind is under the 

 influence of any passion, joy, surprize, grief, 

 indignation, which deprives it of the ease and 

 exemption from solicitude requisite to its ap^ 

 plyir.g with efFect to abstruse researches or 

 what is called serious reading, — it will then 

 be its philosophy to lure attention into the 

 paths of literature, with the elegant classic, or 

 interesting narrative j — with the works of poets 

 or dramatic authors ; and with composition on 

 its favourite theme :— stimulants powerful in 

 calming the soul, and charming sorrow into 

 tranqiiillityj when rarely and prudently ap- 



* In comparing the effects of the different leading 

 branches of education at dur two universities, it has been 

 remarked, that persons who have studied at Cambridge, 

 adhere long and steadily to an argument, in conversation ; 

 while Oxonians, whose pursuits are more elegant than 

 philosophical, are content with a more superficial ex.- 

 amination of many subjects; but afford greater pleasures 

 to their companions, by the desultory variety of the 

 ideas which Ihey communicate. 



