THE STUDY AND THE GARDEN. 63 



amount to more, in a brief space, than the most 

 laborious efforts could produce, by the longest ap- 

 plication, in a more languid state of the system. 



To possess this efficiency and promote its con- 

 tinuance, it is necessary not only to alternate, as 

 above stated, the muscular and the mental activity, 

 which, by a mutual reaction, improve each other, 

 but it is necessary alike for both to avoid either 

 lassitude or too long rest. Do not continue in 

 study till mental application be overstretched, or 

 till the circulation of the material fluids has become 

 clogged and stagnant; and do not labour with hands 

 or feet till weariness come upon the body, whilst 

 the mind has been too long inactive. The moment 

 that the thinking powers begin to flag, hasten to 

 your garden ; and as soon as weariness affects the 

 body, return to your books. Let rest and fatigue 

 be vour tropics, and you will travel with unabated 

 vigour over the undulating line of your ecliptic. 

 But let quiescence be too long indulged, or lassi- 

 tude too long sustained, and the consequence will 

 be a long unfitness for any achievement ; the one 

 state terminates in leaden slumbers the other in 

 faintness ; the one makes exertion seem appalling 

 the other makes it really impossible. 



Thus ought we to observe those constitutional 

 laws which so deeply affect our happiness ; and I 

 am greatly confident that experience will, in every 

 case, confirm all that has now been advanced as to 

 health and the efficiency of labour ; and the indis- 

 putable conclusion I trust will be allowed, that your 



