connected rcith Literature. 5S& 



society of the learned or the-' refined.' Th^ 

 reverie, which we cannot conquer, will thus 

 be converted into a rational employment ; — for 

 ta^te and meihory will direct it to subjects of 

 iscience and utility. 



The best rules for preventing fits of absence 

 from becoming criminal, will be found in that 

 book, which is the highest authority on this 

 part of the subject. Keep the heart with di- 

 ligence, for out of it proceed evil thoughts ; — 

 the springs of conduct ; the issues of life. Be 

 strenuous in " casting down imaginations'* 

 that are contrary to virtue ; and '* bringing 

 every thought into the captivity of princi- 

 ple." — The authors of the book from whence 

 these maxims are extracted, were aware, that 

 it was impossible to put an entire end to the 

 influence of matter over the mind, and to 

 abolish reverie. They knew that as long as 

 the human frame continued in its present con- 

 dition ; — " the corruptible body would press 

 down the corruptible soul.*' — ^They therefore 

 enjoined the purification of the thoughts; in 

 order that whenever matter should exert its 

 influence upon mind, and force it into un- 

 conscious deviation from 'its employment, 

 mirtd might be invariably led by inclination 

 mttt "the paths of innocent or pious musing.—^ 

 p.liinctilian relates of his' son, that in conse- 



