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On Brain-Work and Hand-Work . 
153 
or at least not diredtly remunerative, and for all these culti- 
vators are wanted. Therefore, reversing the advice given 
by routine moralists, I would say to wealthy young men of 
ability “ Do not take up any trade, business, or profession, 
but do some of the world’s unpaid work. Leave money- 
making to those who have no other option, and be searchers 
for truth and beauty.” Everyone who follows this advice 
will contribute something to show the world that the race 
for wealth is not the only pursuit worthy of a rational being. 
I should define work as the conscious systematic application 
of mind or body to any definite purpose. 
I said “of mind or body.” Perhaps the expression may 
sound old-fashioned ; so to avoid grating on the nerves of a 
monistic world I will say “ of brain or muscle.” But can 
we draw a sharp, well-defined boundary line between brain- 
work and muscle-work ? Recent investigations into the 
functions of the brain show that it has the task of directing 
and co-ordinating muscular effort. The athlete, or say the 
musical performer, has not merely to strengthen his muscles 
and acquire flexibility of arm, hand, and finger ; his exer- 
cises serve at the same time to develop and perfect those 
regions of the brain by which the muscles in question 
are actuated and co-ordinated. 
Prof. Du Bois Reymond, in his admirable treatise on 
“Exercise” (reviewed some time ago in the “Journal of 
Science”), contends that “bodily exercises are not merely 
muscle-gymnastics, but also nerve-gymnastics,” and that 
practice in- the movements of the limbs is “ essentially ex- 
ercise of the central nerve-system.” Hence muscle-work 
which is not at the same time brain-work is a chimera, 
which has no existence. But it will now be asked, Is there 
any brain-work without muscle-work? Undoubtedly; we 
may see phenomena, we may reason upon them, and come 
to a conclusion concerning their nature without any mus- 
cular adtion at all. But if we even wish to write down our 
results, or to tell them to a friend, some muscular adtion, 
small though it be, is needed. Or we wish to go further: 
not content with merely observing the phenomena which 
chance brings before our eyes, we go forth in search of fadts. 
Here muscular-work is blended with brain-work. A step 
further : We wish to put definite questions to Nature, to 
perform physical, chemical, or physiological experiments. 
In all these cases the hand has to be the inseparable com- 
panion of the brain. The efficiency of the one will not 
compensate for inefficiency in the other. Now, the work of 
the experimentalist rarely requires great strength, but it 
VOL. V. (THIRD SERIES.) M 
