DANGER OF INTELLECTUAL EXCESS. 49 



upwards of thirty years after his first attack." Sir Walter 

 Scott describes him as having been, " long after his eightieth 

 year, one of the most striking old men it was possible to look 

 at. His firm step and ruddy cheek contrasted agreeably and 

 unexpectedly with his silver locks ; and the dress he wore, 

 much resembling that of the Flemish peasant, gave an air of 

 peculiarity to his whole figure. In his conversation, the 

 mixture of original thinking with high moral feeling and 

 extensive learning, his love of country, contempt of luxury, 

 and especially the strong subjection of his passions and feelings 

 to the dominion of his reason, made him, perhaps, the most 

 striking example of the Stoic philosopher which could be seen 

 in modern days." 



But immoral indulgence of the passions and appetites, and the 

 more obvious infractions of the physical laws, with the neglect 

 of wise precautionary measures, are not the only points upon 

 which it is needful to take warning. The intellectual and 

 emotional nature of man is subject to laws quite as stringent 

 as those which regulate his bodily functions. The injurious 

 influence of mental excess is not less positive than that of 

 physical, though not so obvious. It may be difficult to persuade 

 the busy man on 'Change that the growing dyspeptic symptoms 

 which trouble him are the direct result of the state of turmoil 

 to which his brain has been exposed for months and years 

 together ; and yet the fact is certain. The student of law or 

 divinity who strains his faculties to the utmost, without 

 allowing them the repose necessary to recruit them, is not 

 only sinning against his own body, but is adopting the 

 best plan to thwart his own cherished objects. The popular 

 minister, whose whole soul is in his work, and who is com- 

 E 



