jo LEISURE-TIME STUDIES. 



Its study and indeed I may extend my remarks to in- 

 clude the cultivation of all other branches of natural science 

 acts, I have said, as an important aid in mental training ; 

 that is, in bringing the mind into orderly habits of thought, 

 and in inducing in the mental powers results analogous to 

 those acquired by the powers of the body after a judicious 

 course of physical training. It will not be disputed, I fancy, 

 that the mind, like the body, requires to be trained to its 

 due work the work of thinking in a reasonable, judicious, 

 and trustworthy manner. Nor will it be denied that, in pro- 

 portion to the efficacy of this mental training, our minds 

 will more or less effectively perform the work whereunto 

 they are called. AVe may train the bodily powers judiciously 

 and well, to enable us to undergo the fatigue of ordinary 

 life with less languor and weariness than before. A system 

 of gymnastics may be lawfully and reasonably undertaken 

 by any one, without the slightest intention of qualifying for 

 .an acrobatic life. And so with the mind. We may as 

 reasonably hold that the task of mental training is no less a 

 part of every one's duty and lawful labour, than that of 

 -ensuring the health of the body by due exercise, daily 

 -ablution, or by attention to any of the plain common-sense 

 rules which regulate our physical life. 



This system of mind-gymnastics is one which is impe- 

 rative on all ages and conditions. In no age can its 

 .advantages be more thoroughly understood than in this con- 

 troversial epoch, when the oldest and most respected of 

 ideas are ruthlessly deposed from their niches, and sup- 

 planted by new and advanced codes of opinion. To have 

 our young trained to " think," and our elders to judiciously 

 weigh and consider all the matters of life ; to teach men 

 and women how to use their reason; to enable them success- 

 fully to grapple with the great difficulties of trade and labour, 

 of science and art, of morality and religion such are the 

 objects which this system of mind-training has in view. And 

 .the study of natural science accomplishes these great ends 

 chiefly by inducing orderly habits of thought. The very 



