Mind, a single kind of power. 93 



will live and be active for ever. And by uniting with 

 the frequent impressions of failure of our efforts and 

 desire for more perfect enjoyment, it largely originates 

 the idea of everlasting happiness. 



It is in accordance with modern scientific know- 

 ledge, to view the mind, not as a collection of distinct 

 faculties, but rather as a single kind of power, like 

 each of the physical forces, having several different 

 modes of action ; and as that which perceives, thinks, 

 and wills. Its oneness is shewn by its inability to be 

 simultaneously occupied by several diverse feelings, 

 thoughts, or volitions, and by our incapacity to think 



* of many varied ideas at once ; the more ideas also or 

 objects we attempt to perceive at once, the less we 



/ realize of each. In proportion as the mind is engaged 

 upon one idea, so is it also unable to be occupied 

 with another. Strong feelings exclude intellectual 

 action. The mind can only execute several actions 

 at a time, provided they have been rendered more or 

 less automatic by habit, &c., but as all mental acts 

 are in different degrees imperfectly automatic, and 

 require more or less attention, and each individual 

 mind is limited in its power, every such act withdraws 

 a portion of attention from the more engrossing ideas. 

 Power of mind and power of maintaining attention 

 are nearly synonymous. 



The recognised fundamental elements of mind are 

 Receptivity and Perception of impression : Retentive- 

 ness of impression : Perception of agreement (or 

 similarity) of impression: and Perception of difference 



