394 D r . Barnes on the Influence of the Imagination, isle. 
attained then proper balance, the mind has attained 
its higheft capacity. 
That “great wits are to madnefs near allied” 
That <f great genius’s are too imaginative,” 
proves only, that the mind, when in a frame too 
creative and fanciful, is not fufficiently judicious. 
But, furely, a degree of warmth may be necejfary 
to a tool, for its proper aflion ; and yet, that 
warmth may be increafed, till it is improper for 
fervice. 
It will, perhaps, be faid, that lunatics and 
madmen are under the dominion of fancy, and 
that upon this account their judgments are errone¬ 
ous. It is anfwered, that, in general, if you will 
but grant their premifes, they will reafon from 
them, with aftonilhing quicknefs and clearnefs of 
argumentation. Unhappily, their minds are, in 
fome particular points, by wrong affociations, 
become deranged and extravagant. This is their 
difeafe. But the fervour imparted to their minds, 
feems rather to have fharpened, than impaired, 
their reafoning powers. 
Let, then, underftanding and judgment ever be 
confidered as the preflding faculties of the human 
fpirit. To their control, let every other power 
ultimately fubmit. Let the imagination and the 
paffions be confidered merely as their fervants, 
obedient to their command. But, whilft they 
are thus obedient, let them have the praife of 
good and ufeful fervants •, and above all^ let them 
not 
