j 4 o OF MIND. 



posed as to attain ultimately a very high state of efficiency. 

 In order to produce the greatest possible results, the thinking 

 power, the selective capacity, must have at its disposal a 

 mechanism of eminent perfection capable of being im- 

 pressed by and of giving exact expression to the slightest 

 undulations of the matter upon which the mind imme- 

 diately acts. 



Of Mental as compared with Mechanical Action. If a 

 machine could be made which would change from time to 

 time, of its own accord, the kind of work it performed 

 without any alteration being made in its mechanical arrange- 

 ments, a rough comparison might be drawn between such a 

 machine and the brain, but a machine of the kind supposed 

 exists not, and is not conceivable. 



Let us consider if the actions of the mental apparatus 

 exhibit any analogy with those performed by a vast number 

 of highly complex machines so arranged as to be under 

 the influence of one person, this or that being made to 

 work according as he willed ? In order to make the case 

 as strong as possible, we may further suppose every machine 

 to be constantly wound up ready to be brought into opera- 

 tion on the instant, and capable of being stopped with 

 facility. Or can we imagine an immense telegraph system 

 which, besides communicating information, shall be capable 

 of effecting mechanical work ? The supposed machines have 

 no breaks or any of those arrangements to prevent injury or 

 over-action, as in the various kinds of apparatus made by 

 us. And further, our imaginary machine ought to be made 

 of soft material, like brain-matter, and every portion of it 

 should be capable of gradual renovation. Such conditions, 



