FACULTIES OF THE MIND 299 



signs, he can convey the expression of these feelings even 

 to those who are at a distance. Although in possession of 

 these peculiar powers, he can still use the language and the 

 gestures of nature. 



5. On Restraint. When treating of the characters by 

 which the intellectual principles are distinguished, we took 

 notice of the faculty of Attention, by whose assistance we 

 can withdraw our various powers of perception and reflec- 

 tion from the contemplation of one object or idea, and fix 

 them on the examination of others. When, from the no- 

 tions which we have acquired from experience or reflection, 

 we are disposed to action, there is another term employ- 

 ed to designate that principle, by which the kind of ac- 

 tion, and the manner of performing it, are determined. 

 This principle, which is identical with attention, is termed 

 the Will ; and the liberty which it exercises in the choice, 

 is denominated Free Agency. 



There are some who deny the existence of a liberty of se- 

 lection, and affirm that all the actions which we perform 

 " are the necessary result of the constitutions of our minds, 

 operated on by the circumstances of our external situation." 

 If the existence and influence of the faculty of attention, 

 such as we have described them, be admitted, and we can 

 appeal to the experience of all, for proof of the truth of our 

 statements on the subject, the doctrine of free agency must 

 likewise be embraced : For, granting even to the Necessita- 

 rian, the necessity of the action, upon the combination of 

 the particular circumstances which constitute the motive, 

 we have still the choice of creating these circumstances. 

 We have the power of directing the eye or the ear to re- 

 ceive particular impressions ; we have the power of giving 

 to any particular perception its suitable degree of force 

 to act as a motive, by the progress of reflection ; and 

 all this by the aid of a faculty, the existence of which 



