IN THE REALM OF MIND. 299 



direct but indirect — and even elaborately circuit- 

 ous. It is only when the ropes and pulleys are 

 broken that we discover how that which we call 

 our Will can only run in appointed channels — 

 which channels are material, and are laid down 

 upon a plan, like conducting wires, as if for the 

 conveyance of a material Force. 



Nor does it end here — this close connexion 

 between Mind and Matter. So far from being 

 less close, it seems to be only closer and closer 

 when we pass to mental operations in which no 

 apparent movements of the Body are concerned. 

 In the exercise of pure Reason, in passing from 

 one mental conception to another, when by an 

 effort of our Will we turn our attention to a new 

 question, and in the twinkling of an eye pursue 

 a fresh train of thought, — above all, when our 

 affections go forth towards those who are the ob- 

 jects of them — in all these operations, if anywhere, 

 we feel as if we were free from mechanism — from 

 " organs " — from Matter in any form. So it seems 

 till we are brought face to face with the ter- 

 rible phenomena of disease. Then our delusion 

 is dispelled, and we know how frail we are. Then 



