THE LAW OF HABIT. 



41 



a variety of functions greater than belongs to any other law of our 

 nature, namely : the power of habit to train and develop the intel- 

 lectual and voluntary powers of mind and body ; its different eflfects 

 upon the reason and some of the emotions and simple feelings ; and 

 the great power which it has, while leaving untouched our intrinsic 

 nature, to alter our whole moral character and mental tendencies and 

 method. Maxims as a general thing embody the practical wisdom 

 of mankind ; and for all ordinary purposes of the world's business 

 these maxims regarding habit are a sufficient practical philosophy. 

 But, while the common and unwrought notions of customary expei'i- 

 ence do, only because they must, fui-nish that philosophy which 

 serves the ordinary uses and necessities of life ; yet for highest and 

 ultimate ti-uth we have to look away from these to science which 

 proceeds upon some settled principle, and endeavors to reduce all 

 facts of possible investigation to some precise, definite, and symme- 

 trical system. 



The defects common both to the ordinary popular and the studied 

 and systematic views of this principle of habit will be easily appa- 

 rent, if we notice now some of the specific varieties to be found in 

 the manifestations of this great law of our manifold life. The fol- 

 lowing, presented without special regard to order, might be noted : — 

 Repetition of exercise strengthens and quickens our external senses. 

 The eye is rendered more sensitive, the ear more acute to apprehend 

 minute distinctions, and the same is true of the other senses. The 

 sum total of the effects of previous impressions appears to be in every 

 case re-instated, giving additional strength to the effect of present 

 stimulation. Thus, in what appears to the landsman a mere speck 

 upon the distant horizon, the practised eye of the sailor can read suf- 

 ficient to enable him to tell the nation, size, chaiacter, and bearing 

 of some outward or homeward bound vessel. Similar instances 

 might be cited in connection with the senses of hearing, taste, and 

 smell, and the history of the sense of touch and the muscular sense 

 abounds with examples, as in the case of the blind. 



Our ideal rep-esentations also are increased in intensity and vivid- 

 ness, in fulness and minuteness. While the pleasure or the pain of 

 the pristine shock abates under repetition within certain limits, yet 

 for intellectual purposes the value of an impression increases with 

 every subsequent experience, and accordingly the ideal representations 

 of memoiy and imagination, in degree of vivacity and minuteness of 



