20 HUXLEY MEMORIAL LECTURES 



exactitude; he advocated it as the proper mode 

 of training for every kind of career. Begin with 

 a broad basis, with a basis as broad as the mental 

 power of the student can compass, but even in 

 laying down the basis hold fast to exactitude. 

 Breadth without the clearness and firmness which 

 comes from direct sight and exact thought merely 

 breeds mental flabbiness, a treacherous basis to 

 build on. Some minds cannot spread themselves 

 over a large field without losing touch with the 

 exact and the real ; don't attempt to stretch such 

 minds too much; in the case of these be content 

 with a basis of smaller area. Having laid a 

 foundation as broad as the mind of the learner 

 will allow, a foundation of simple elementary 

 truths, build on this the teaching of higher, more 

 difficult matters. As you ascend you will find 

 that, in order to secure that full comprehension, 

 that exact and clear thought which you aim to 

 secure, the limits of mental power will compel 

 you continually to narrow the range. Be not dis- 

 heartened at this. Knowing that you have the 

 broad basis below, do not fear to narrow the range 

 as you raise tier on tier so long as the demands of 

 exactitude call for it. As you ascend do not 

 spoil the compactness of your product by attempt- 

 ing to put wide, loose wrappings round the solid 

 core. Be .content that the product of your teach- 

 ing should be a cone, such as may be used as an 

 intellectual missile, penetrating because its point 

 is narrow, effective because its base is broad. 



