70 PSYCHOLOGY. 



although constituting distinct branches, we think that they belong to 

 the same department of human knowledge. Indeed, we regard the 

 latter as the sequel of the former ; and Education, in its widest sense, 

 as the great application of them both. In both these divisions of Psy- 

 chology, various conflicting theories have been proposed ; some of 

 which we have already mentioned, in speaking of the Ancient Schools 

 of Philosophy; (p. 19); and others will be referred to, under the 

 branches of Phrenics and Ethics. The existence of these conflicting 

 opinions, is by no means surprising, when we consider the inherent 

 difficulty of the subjects : and it should be observed, that they relate 

 only to particular points ; some of which are rather nominal than real ; 

 and others of which have already been completely decided. 



We proceed to treat successively of the branches of Psychology, 

 in the order already named : Rhetoric ; Logic ; Phrenics, or Mental 

 Philosophy ; Ethics, or Moral Philosophy ; and Education. 



CHAPTER I. 



RHETORIC. 



RHETORIC, is that branch of knowledge which investigates the prin- 

 ciples and rules of writing and speaking, or the subjects of Compo- 

 sition and Elocution. The name is derived from the Greek, /'^wp, 

 an orator; and this from <=, I speak. The term, Oratory, derived 

 from the Latin, is properly synonymous with Rhetoric : but the term 

 Elocution, from the Latin, eloquor or loquor, I speak, should, we 

 think, be confined to the manner or process of enouncing or delivering 

 a discourse already composed. Rhetoric, also, in its primary sense, 

 might seem to denote merely the art of declaiming : but this is so 

 closely allied to the art of writing, or composing, that the term was 

 extended, even by the ancients, to include them both. The study 

 of Rhetoric, is, of course, especially useful to the public writer, or 

 speaker : and it is one of the studies which are introductory to Criti- 

 cism i an art, of which we have already spoken, (p. 37). 



Some persons have supposed, that the study of Rhetorical rules 

 is likely to cramp and injure the mental powers. This may be the 

 case with some of the artificial, or mechanical systems, which have 

 been proposed ; but certainly a knowledge of the general principles 

 on which all good writing and speaking must be founded, cannot fail 

 to be useful, to those who are seeking for eminence in these impor- 

 tant acquirements. In this, however, as in other arts, a knowledge 

 of principles and rules, can never supply the place of practice ; and 

 that practice should be under the eye of just and intelligent criti- 

 cism. Neither can all the aids of Rhetoric, make a first rate orator ; 

 without knowledge, and good sense, brought to bear on the subjects 

 of discourse; and dignity, sympathy, and integrity to give them 

 force. 



The best work of the ancients, on Rhetoric, is that of Aristotle ; 

 which is the earliest extant ; and which still forms the basis of this 



