1855.] On Mental Education. 491 



It is an extraordinary thing, that man, with a mind so won- 

 derful that there is nothing to compare with it elsewhere in the 

 known creation, should leave it to run wild in respect of its 

 highest elements and qualities. He has powers of comparison 

 and judgment, by which his final resolves, and all those acts 

 of his material system which distinguish him from the brutes, 

 are guided : shall he omit to educate and improve them when 

 education can do much ? Is it towards the very principles and 

 privileges that distinguish him above other creatures, he should 

 feel indifference ? Because the education is internal, it is not 

 the less needful; nor is it more the duty of a man that he 

 should cause his child to be taught than that he should 

 teach himself. Indolence may tempt him to neglect the 

 self-examination and experience which form his school, and 

 weariness may induce the evasion of the necessary practices ; 

 but surely a thought of the prize should suffice to stimulate 

 him to the requisite exertion : and to those who reflect upon 

 the many hours and days, devoted by a lover of sweet sounds, 

 to gain a moderate facility upon a mere mechanical instrument, 

 it ought to bring a correcting blush of shame, if they feel con- 

 victed of neglecting the beautiful living instrument, wherein 

 play all the powers of the mind. 



I will conclude this subject : believe me when I say I have 

 been speaking from self- conviction. I did not think this an 

 occasion on which I ought to seek for flattering words regard- 

 ing our common nature ; if so, I should have felt unfaithful to 

 the trust I had taken up ; so I have spoken from experience. 

 In thought I hear the voice, which judges me by the precepts 

 I have uttered. I know that I fail frequently in that very 

 exercise of .judgment to which I call others; and have abun- 

 dant reason to believe that much more frequently I stand 

 manifest to those around me, as one who errs, without being 

 corrected by knowing it. I would willingly have evaded ap- 

 pearing before you on this subject, for I shall probably do but 

 little good, and may well think it was an error of judgment to 

 consent: having consented, my thoughts would flow back 

 amongst the events and reflections of my past life, until I found 

 nothing present itself but an open declaration, almost a con- 

 fession, as the means of performing the duty due to the subject 

 and to you. 



