358 PHYSIOLOGY AND HEALTH. 



824. The action of the same principle is seen in the 

 school-room. When the boy is anxious about his play, or 

 when any great and desirable purpose is before him, and 

 especially if it be a matter of doubt whether he shall be per- 

 mitted to enjoy it, his lessons may suffer. If a pleasant ex- 

 cursion is proposed for the afternoon, provided the weather 

 permit, and a cloudy forenoori render it uncertain whether 

 a rain may not keep him at home, he cannot study well in 

 this fear. The attention which the mind gives to the anxious 

 doubt must all be at the cost of that effort which otherwise 

 might have been devoted to his books. 



825. Whatever may be the kind of moral feeling, if it is 

 strong, and absorbs the attention and power of the brain, it 

 interferes with that concentration of the mind that is neces- 

 sary to the study of books, or learning any other matters. 

 The homesick boy, away from home, cannot give the full 

 energy of his mind to his books, nor even to any labor. An 

 active boy was sent from a very pleasant home to learn a 

 desirable trade in an unpleasant situation and unkind family. 

 Instead of giving his whole thoughts to his new business, he 

 brooded over the joys and comforts .that he had left behind 

 him ; his heart was oppressed with sadness, arrd his yearnings 

 for home occupied his mind. His employer thought him dull 

 to learn, and lazy at work; and, after several months of in- 

 effectual trial, by common consent of his father and his 

 master, he was taken away. At home, he again manifested 

 his former activity and desire to learn the same trade, and 

 was then sent to another and more satisfactory place and 

 family, where every thing was kind and encouraging. He 

 there showed great interest in his work, learned the art rap- 

 idly, and became an unusually skilful and active workman. 



82^. There are some seeming contradictions to this prin- 

 ciple ; for many men have studied and become accomplished 

 scholars when oppressed with pecuniary trials or bodily pains. 

 Some of the best works in the language were written under 

 the stimulus of poverty ; and the late Robert Hall arose from 

 his bed of acute distress to preach his most eloquent and 



