37 8 Dr. Barnes on the Influence of the Imagination , 
diary to conversation, (hould rather contain 
hintsy than a regular compofition of finifhed and 
artificial fentences. I may add, this Subject 
would have received its heft illuftrations and Sup¬ 
port from morals, and religion. But, as thefe 
would lead me too much jflto a profeffiional 
line, I Shall endeavour to draw the arguments 
from thoSe lower Subjects, of taste, criticism, 
and polite literature, by which it appears 
to me, to be unanswerably Supported. 
The points we undertake to defend are thefe ; 
fC That the imagination and paffions may, within 
“ proper limits, be of the utmoft Service in 
<c oivin" ftrength and clearnefs to the under- 
“ Standing. And, that this arifes,—from the 
“ nature, and office of the imagination,—and 
<c from the principle before mentioned, that che 
“ energy of one power may be communicated to 
“ the reft, with the greateit advantage.” 
It is owing to the narrownefs ot our faculties, 
that we do not comprehend the Juhftance of the 
human mind. Of its operations , however, we 
can Speak with certainty. 1 reprefenc it to my- 
felf, as one uniform and flmple ejfence, liable to be 
moved or afledted by the various objects around it, 
cr, by the flow of ideas continually pafling 
before it—and, according to the ftate and 
temperament of the whole indiviflhle mafs. judg¬ 
ing, feeling, willing, afting. Hence, it will 
follow, that it will judge, and feel, and act, not 
according 
