40 iflEMOIR OP ARISTOTLE. 



highest rank in society ; and this plan we may sup- 

 pose he put in operation in performing the task as- 

 signed him by Philip ; modified no doubt according 

 to the character and circumstances of the extraordi- 

 nary youth for whose instruction it was prepared. 

 According to the principles laid down in that book, 

 the two years immediately following puberty consti- 

 tute that important era which is especially adapted 

 for improving and strengthening the bodily frame, 

 and for acquiring that corporeal vigour which is one 

 main- spring of mental energy. During this interest- 

 ing period, with the proper management of which the 

 future happiness of the whole life is so connected. 

 Aristotle observes, that the intellectual powers ought 

 indeed to be kept in play, but not too strenuously 

 exercised, since powerful exertions of the mind and 

 body cannot be made at once, nor the habits of 

 making them be simultaneously acquired. Agreeably 

 to this principle, Alexander was encouraged to pro- 

 ceed with alacrity in his exercises until he attained 

 the highest possible degree of perfection in them ; 

 after \fcjjich the whole bent of his mind was diverted 

 to the acquisition of science and philosophy. 



The curiosity of the young Macedonian was too ar- 

 dent, and his judgment too acute, to rest satisfied with 

 the meagre and superficial doctrines which then com- 

 prised the sum of popular instruction. The discern- 

 ment of his preceptor easily perceived that his mind 

 was capable of being trained to whatever is most subtle 

 in distinction, and exalted by whatever is most lofty in 

 speculation ; and that his faculties, by thus expanding 



