94 FUNCTIONAL INERTIA 



matter. Whatever is in motion is by it retained 

 in motion, and whatever is at rest remains at rest 

 under its sway. It opposes every new * influence, 

 strengthens every old * one. Is there nothing in 

 the human mind which seems analogous to this 

 power ? Is there no spiritual effect comparable 

 to this corporeal one ? What are habits ? Old 

 prejudices ? They seem something like a retention 

 in a certain state due to somewhat more than the 

 active impulses of the moment. As far as regards 

 them, the mind seems to remain in the state in 

 which it is, and the words which enunciate part of 

 our natural law will describe exactly the effect . . . 

 to illustrate at once the force of mental inertia, to 

 retain the mind desirous to set about a new affair, 

 how facile our progress when once engaged, a very 

 little delay illustrates more or less the inertia of 

 the passive mind, every new observation, every 

 fresh discovery that of the active mind." 



..." Inertia is an essential property of matter, 

 is it a never-failing attendant on the mind ? 

 I hope it is, for, as it seems to be in full force 

 whenever the mind is passive, I trust it is also in 

 power when she is actively engaged. Was the idle 

 mind ever yet easy to be placed in activity ? Was 

 the dolt ever yet willing to resign inanity for per- 

 ception, or are they not always found contented 

 to remain as if they were satisfied with their 

 situation ? " 



Faraday then illustrates his meaning as regards 



* The italics are Faraday's, 



